What we do

Dive training

Sandager's wrasse.
Learning a new skill has never been this much fun!

We offer a wide range of PADI dive courses with experienced instructors who have logged thousands of hours underwater. Our instructing staff include marine biologists, naturalists, tech and wreck specialists and award-winning photographers.

If you have a desire to improve your diving skills and increase your affinity with the underwater world, talk to us about tailoring an education program to suit your needs. Through education comes understanding and enjoyment.

Dive! Tutukaka is a Five Star PADI IDC Centre, offering training from Open Water through to Instructor rating.

New Zealand's only National Geographic Dive Centre, and the only New Zealand operator to have won several prestigious PADI Member Awards.

We do not have a timetable for OPEN WATER courses run over the winter, so just email us and let us know what YOUR plans are. We will fit in as best we can with you!

Stay where you are, learn online, and then dive the Poor Knights Islands with us! Check out eLearning with PADI

Our Dive Courses

  • PADI Open Water Dive course - $799
    The PADI Open Water course is the beginner course and all you need in order to dive as a qualified diver.
  • PADI Open Water Referral Dives - From $430
    If you have done all your theory modules and confined sessions then you can complete the last four (or two) dives of your Open Water Course with us at the Poor Knights Islands.
  • PADI e-Learning - From $599
    Study in your time, dive on ours! Get the theory done before hand,and spend your time diving at the Poor Knights Islands.
  • PADI Advanced Open Water Dive Course - From $630
    The Advanced Open Water course may be taken by certified PADI Open Water divers (or individuals with an equivalent qualification).
  • PADI Divemaster Course - From $2800 + certification
    The PADI Divemaster course is the first step to being a dive professional. It expands your knowledge past that of any previous course enabling you to gain valuable experience and work in the world of diving.
  • PADI Emergency First Responder Course - From $200
    The EFR course provides basic training in emergency care. CPR and other important emergency first response skills are combined.
  • PADI Rescue Diver Course - From $690
    The PADI Rescue Diver course is an important and crucial step in expanding a divers knowledge and experience beyond a recreational level.
  • Divemaster Internship - $2850
    Complete a PADI Divemaster course, but take your time, spend time alongside our crew, and get some more dives under your belt. We guarantee to get you up to 100 dives for this price!

Speciality Courses

  • Project AWARE Specialty Program - From $375
    The Project AWARE Specialty program is designed to familiarize divers and nondivers with the plight of worldwide aquatic ecosystems.
    It also describes what individuals can do to help protect aquatic resources. The program is a nondiving course that only contains classroom presentations.
  • Underwater photography - From $460
    This PADI course is ideal for teaching the fundamentals of underwater photography - you'll learn how to correctly compose, expose and capture that spectacular fish that nobody believed you saw!
  • Underwater Naturalist - From $430
    This one day course will take you to the unique Poor Knights Islands marine reserve to not only develop your personal conservation and preservation ethics but to also appreciate and study the enormous variety of fauna, fish species and encrusting life that the islands have to offer.
  • Wreck diver - From $630
    This course builds and extends your knowledge and experience with regards to wreck diving.
  • Instructor Training - from $950
    Learn how to teach PADI courses, and further develop your professional diving career.

Contact us

Can't find what you want? Just ask! Freephone us in New Zealand on
0800 288 882.

Our dive courses

Hello there!
I did 2 dives with you including a refresher course on January 5.  My dive guide was Canadian Sean.  I was a problem child - swam to the wrong boat, had problems with my ears equalizing, had problems with my buoyancy, and I got a little stressed out.  In the face of all this, Sean was great - he was patient and determined for me to have a good experience.  On the second dive, he literally held my hand the whole time, which helped control my buoyancy and allowed me to relax.  Consequently, I was able to slow my oxygen use and enjoy my dive.  The entire staff was incredibly friendly and fun, but because Sean went above and beyond, I really wanted you to know that he deserves some credit.  I will recommend your dive company to friends and will be back.

Sarah Lochner