WAIKAWA DIVE CENTRE
DIVE, FREEDIVE & SNORKEL THE MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS OF NEW ZEALAND
Can't think of what to buy your buddy in life or diving buddy? How about a WDC Gift Voucher? Buy in any amount you want. An easy gift for your outdoorsy friends and family.
NB. Valid for one year from date of purchase.
IMPORTANT: DUE TO THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC WE WILL NOT BE OFFERING DIVE TRAINING OR GUIDED DIVE TRIPS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
THE INFORMATION PRESENTED HERE REPRESENTS OUR NORMAL MODE OF OPERATION, WHICH WE HOPE TO RESUME AS SOON AS CIRCUMSTANCES ALLOW.
WE STILL HAVE A FULLY STOCKED RETAIL DIVE SHOP, OFFER GEAR HIRE & REPAIRS, & TANKS WILL CONTINUE TO BE FILLED & TESTED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND FOR VISITING OUR SITE & STAY SAFE EVERYONE!
COURSES & TRAINING
PHOTOS ARE FROM QUEEN CHARLOTTE SOUND WHERE YOU DIVE. NB: WHILE COSTS ARE LISTED PER DIVER, MINIMUM DIVER NUMBERS APPLY FOR ALL COURSES. PLEASE CALL THE DIVE SHOP FOR GROUP PRICING AND CUSTOM TRAINING. SORRY, THERE ARE NO DISCOUNTS OFF THE COURSE PRICE FOR PROVIDING YOUR OWN GEAR.
WHY SSI?
Don't just learn to dive - become a diver! SSI courses focus on your comfort and confidence in the water.
The aim is confidence through repetition. SSI emphases 4 critical components of a great scuba education program (the diver diamond):
KNOWLEDGE
SKILLS
EQUIPMENT
EXPERIENCE
TRY SCUBA!
So you want to learn to dive?
Why not try diving for the first time in a no-pressure environment.
Take your time and learn the basics, and see if diving is for you.
Best of all it counts towards the Open Water course, when you continue to learn.**
Diving opens up a whole new world and can be both a very active and very meditative activity.
Try Scuba - one dive including gear and basic training is $99 pp (pool or shore-based) for 4 or more divers. Or $255 for Basic Scuba, a 4-hour introduction to scuba in open water. Costs are per diver. Minimum age of 8 years old.
OPEN WATER DIVER
Includes online learning, practical training, all gear & certification.
THREE PART 4-DAY COURSE:
CRUCIAL SKILLS = Knowledge development via online learning at your own pace
2 DAYS POOL/CONFINED WATER DIVES = Learn the key skills you need as a diver in comfortable conditions
4 OPEN WATER DIVES (OVER 2 DAYS) = Put your new-found knowledge and dive skills into practice out in open water
3 or more divers - $698 per diver. For divers 10+ years old. Junior Open Water diver is between 10-14 yrs. Depth limitations apply to younger divers.
ADVANCED SCUBA - AA & AOW
ADVANCED ADVENTURER (AA)
5 dives from our dive boat. You’ll gain confidence, skills and experience as you advance to the next certification level. Explore new dive sites and experience ones you’ve dived before in a different way.
Deep and Navigation dives are highly recommended. Pick another 3 options from the Specialties below.
The minimum time required to complete the course is 2 days. Cost is $698 per diver.
ADVANCED OPEN WATER BUNDLE (AOW)
Complete four specialty programs and 24 logged dives to achieve Advanced Open Water Status, or just the five dives for Advanced Adventurer status. Your dives from Advanced Adventurer can count towards AOW.**
The minimum time required to complete the course is 4 days. Cost depends on specialities chosen and the number of previous logged dives.
DIVER STRESS & RESCUE
Learn how to prevent problems and manage dive emergencies. You’ll get the opportunity to find out the best way to rescue a diver based on your strength and abilities. Many divers say this is the best course they’ve ever taken!
2 Day minimum course
- online learning at own pace and in own time
- includes practical training and certification card
- 5 open water dives
Need prior to course: First aid and CPR certification.
$698 per diver. Age requirements from 12+ years old.
REACT RIGHT
One day emergency training in Primary Assessment & Stabilisation, First Aid and CPR and Primary Stabilisation skills.
Can be combined with the Oxygen administration course.
$225 per diver. Age requirements from 12+ years old (Junior Rescue Diver) or 15 years (Rescue Diver).
O2 ADMINISTRATION
Two hour course learning to administer oxygen in diving emergencies.
Can be combined with React Right.
Must be 12 years old to participate.
Individual cost is $170 per person ($50 discount applies if combined with React Right).
FREEDIVING
The course comprises of three components:
Theory – Done online in your own time and in the comfort of your own environment.
Pool (1 day) – Teaching you the skills and techniques in static breath hold, dynamic disciplines and shallow water blackout rescue and revival.
Open Water (1 day) – Training is put into practice in the ocean. Demonstrating skills in the open water and becoming comfortable with equalisation and depth (maximum 20 metres or 12 metres if 12-14 years old).
$495 per person to participate and use equipment designed specifically for freediving.
Prerequisites: Must be at least 12 years old, be able to swim at least 100 metres unaided, and be of good physical health.
** Subject to conditions. Prices subject to change and to WDC terms and conditions - in-store prices may supersede these although we do our best to keep online prices up to date.
SPECIALTIES
MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS MARINE LIFE PHOTOS COURTESY OF - JIM KERR FROM THE U.K.
DEEP
The Deep Diving course trains you to plan for and conduct deep dives (>18m) safely.
Most AA or AOW divers do this course to enhance and improve their skill and confidence level. Gain better control of buoyancy and breathing rate.
Improved depth perception and improved understanding of the buddy system are also benefits of this course.
Dives are to a maximum of 40m. Divers be at least 15 years old and have an Open Water certification.
Individual cost is $370 per diver, though would be combined with other specialties for AA and AOW.
NAVIGATION
Gain the skills and understanding required to safely and comfortably navigate underwater.
Learn to:
-use a compass & natural navigation techniques
-estimate distance
-conduct basic navigation patterns
-leave and return to a designated location
Individual cost per diver is $325, though would be combined with other specialties for AA and AOW.
PERFECT BUOYANCY
-Improve your buoyancy control
-Minimise your breathing gas consumptions
-Move effortlessly above the ocean floor
-Avoid damaging marine life
Become more comfortable underwater and get the best out of your equipment.
Divers must be at least 10 years old and have an Open Water certification.
Individual cost per diver is $325, though would be combined with other specialties for AA and AOW.
NIGHT
Learn to safely and comfortably dive at night or in limited visibility conditions
-Night time is a great time to see the most amazing marine life and behaviour
-Free yourself from the restriction of day-time diving when daylength is shorter
Learn to:
-enter and exit the water
-use specialised equipment
-communicate and dive with a buddy at night or in limited visibility conditions
Individual cost per diver is $325, though would be combined with other specialties for AA and AOW.
DRY SUIT
Adjust to dry suit diving for greater warmth and multi-dive comfort
Especially helpful for winter diving when diving conditions are often great
Learn to:
-use a dry suit effectively
-accommodate differences in buoyancy control using a dive suit
-specific training for emergency situations unique to dry suit diving
Individual cost per diver is $325, though would be combined with other specialties for AA and AOW.
SEARCH & RECOVERY
A practical course for divers to recover those inevitable things that fall over the side on a boat
Learn to safely remove both useful things and marine trash
Great for those divers who want to make a difference & help in our many marine rubbish removal events
Learn to:
-conduct search patterns & communicate well underwater
-recover small to medium-sized objects using lift bags
Individual cost per diver is $370, though would be combined with other specialties for AA and AOW.
PHOTO & VIDEO
A fun course where you can earn to:
-dive with an underwater camera
-maintain & store equipment to prolong it's life
-capture those great underwater experiences through photo & video (see Gallery page for a great seahorse video from a past course participant)
-help promote awareness of marine conservation issues through your photography
Individual cost per diver is $325, though would be combined with other specialties for AA and AOW.
WRECK
Learn to safely dive around artificial reefs or underwater wrecks
There are a number of wrecks in the Marlborough Sounds that range from shallow to deep,
and from small to a cruise-ship in size!
-great marine life to be seen that differs with wreck and location
-appreciate how marine organisms can use every nook & cranny of wrecks to suit their own biological needs
-marine history comes to life
Individual cost per diver is $325, though would be combined with other specialties for AA and AOW.
ENRICHED AIR
Enjoy longer bottom times and shorter surface intervals when diving with Nitrox
Learn to safely plan and dive with an enriched air mixture (~32%)
Individual cost per diver is $299, though would be combined with other specialties for AA and AOW.
SCIENCE OF DIVING
Program objectives:
In depth and detailed study of;
-Physics
-Physiology
-Decompression theory
-Aquatic Environment
-Diving Equipment
Individual cost per diver is $199, though would be combined with other specialties for AA and AOW.
MARINE ECOLOGY
A fun course with 2 dives (scuba or free-diving) where you can learn about:
-Marine Ecosystems
-Biodiversity
-Oceanography
-Marine Management and Conservation
Individual cost per diver is $299, though would be combined with other specialties for AA and AOW.
FISH IDENTIFICATION
A fun course with 2 dives (scuba or free-diving) where you can learn:
-How to identify local fish
-About their role in the ocean's ecosystem
Individual cost per diver is $299, though would be combined with other specialties for AA and AOW.
** Subject to conditions. Divers must have Open Water certification and be >10 years old. Prices subject to change and to WDC terms and conditions - in-store prices may supersede these although we do our best to keep online prices up to date.
TRAINING @ WDC
SSI & WDC FORMS
There are various forms you need to fill out to dive with us. Just download the appropriate ones and send to us at the email address below. That way you can spend more time diving and less time at the shop doing paperwork!
How to find us:
We're in Waikawa Marina, Picton. Picton is in the Marlborough Sounds, at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. Our trips can depart from any location in Queen Charlotte Sound by arrangement.
Contact us:
- WAIKAWA DIVE CENTRE
- PO Box 511
- Picton 7250
- Call +64 3 573 5939
- waikawadive@xtra.co.nz
© 2016 WDC | Site by: AJH
