HMNZS Waikato & Tui Shipwrecks Dive Charter

The HMNZS Tui and HMNZS Waikato are large navy vessels specifically prepared for adventure diving before being sunk at diver friendly depths. Purpose cut access and exit points allow exploration of guns, bridges, control areas, helicopter hangar, engine rooms, cabins and crew areas. Step back in time and explore a piece of naval history beneath the waves!

The HMNZS Waikato was built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Ireland, launched on February 18, 1966, and commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Navy later that year on September 5. At 113.4 meters long, with a 12.5m beam and 5.5m draft, she was the first of the Leander-class frigates constructed specifically for the RNZN.

Armed for action, the Waikato was a formidable force at sea. She carried:

• Twin 4.5-inch guns in a forward turret

• Two 20mm Oerlikon machine guns

• A Seacat anti-aircraft missile system

• Six 12.75m anti-submarine torpedo tubes

• A Limbo Mark 10 anti-submarine mortar

• And a Wasp helicopter equipped for depth charges and Mark 46 torpedoes

After serving with distinction, the Waikato was decommissioned in 1998. The Tutukaka Coast won the tender to prepare her as an artificial reef, and on November 25, 2000, she was sent to her final resting place in a world-record sinking time of just 2 minutes and 40 seconds! Now lying at a depth of 28–32m to the sand (and around 15–20m to the starboard side), she rests on her port side in two main sections. The wreck offers fantastic visibility and safe, easy penetration, making it perfect for training and exploration dives alike. This is the highlight of our trip — and with so much to see, we may even dive it twice!

THE HMNZS TUI
The former HMNZS Tui is resting at a depth of approximately 32m of water. The Tui is now broken into three main sections and rapidly becoming part of the reef itself. She makes for an interesting and scenic dive, however, her location can be a little exposed to winds and current. There are currently no marker buoys locating her position and surface support is required.

Important

- The dives are deep dives and only suitable for certified divers - if you're open water certified, you can complete your deep dive (40m) course or adventure deep dive (30m) during the trip. Contact us for these, or other (wreck, nitrox, tech) courses.
- If it's been a year since your last dive, or 6 months for divers with less than 10 dives, you'll require a refresher before joining the charter. Depending on our schedule, we can do this the day or week before the charter. Please contact us for availability.
- Contact us if you don't have your own transport. We recommend staying in Tutukaka or Whangarei, or leaving early the morning of the charter.
- Dependent on weather conditions - read our T&C's before booking

Overview of the day

- Meet at our dive shop in Warkworth at 7am or Tutukaka boat ramp at 9/9:30am (we will email you to confirm the time)
- Equipment set-up & gearing up
- Short boat ride to the dive site
- 2 dives with a surface interval on the boat, or back in Tutukaka
- We'll expect to finish mid-afternoon

Included

- Dive guide
- Dive equipment
- 2 dives
- Boat charter

Please bring

- Swimsuit & towel
- Dry and warm clothing for after the dive
- Water, snacks & lunch
- Your certification