Kaikoura Canyon

Best time to dive

January to December; December to February

What you might see

• DolphinLikely

Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.

Certification & difficulty

Technical

Snorkelling

Not a snorkel site - Not applicable to the canyon itself; coastal kelp/reef snorkeling is possible nearby in sheltered spots

Safety notes

Extreme depth beginning almost immediately offshore, unpredictable weather typical of the Cook Strait/Kaikoura coast, and strong current confluence; not a hazard divers would knowingly enter given the depth involved

Permits & fees

No permit needed for ordinary coastal diving; marine-mammal viewing/whale-watching trips over the canyon are run under DOC-regulated permits held by licensed operators

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Location

Nearest hub: Kaikoura