Marlborough Sounds Club Dive Trip 2024
Wellington Anniversary Weekend and we are up early and on the ferry to Picton for some diving in Queen Charlotte Sound. Stu from Waikawa dive was there to pick us up and we headed straight to the dive shop to get ready and then on to the boat. We headed to Double Cove to explore the wreck of the 30 metre Koi and then looked in the fin fish reserve to meet the local blue cod.
Our evening ended with a short spin into town to watch the bands and fireworks display for the Picton Maritime Festival.
Sunday, the weather was so good we made a group decision to go around the corner and have a look at the Mikhail Lermontov. It’s a huge wreck and we had a look along the rows of window`s and a look around the bridge. Then on to the Lastingham wreck which we didn`t quite find but we had a meeting with one of the local octopus which is always fun. Then a look at Black Point a lot of kina about, leather jackets and sweep. ‘Apparently’ there were carpet sharks everywhere!
Last stop of the day was the Prince of Wales its in 4 metres if your lucky but’s bright, colourful and very fishy. Time for more of Stu`s after dive eats which are superb!
Monday morning, we headed just out of Waikawa to the wreck of the Vara, a 12 metre launch which has been underwater since 1975. ” Just head to 13 metres and follow that depth and you`ll find it!” Right you are Stu – he really knows his stuff. A cool little wreck with masses of moon jelly`s in the shallow water.
Lastly a drift dive along the bottom of Arapaoa Island, The diver`s experienced not one but two ferry`s went past then for there listening pleasure. One diver saw a seahorse for the first time so there were big smiles from him back on the boat. A nice spin back into Waikawa to wash the gear and hit the big smoke of Picton for a few hours to soak up the sun before returning home.
A good bunch of club divers with interesting stories to tell. Thanks Stuart and the Waikawa Dive Centre for a great weekend in the Sound
Divemaster Alan