Hi Murray,

Local Trips

THREE KINGS FEB 18-22 2011

Three Kings Islands

The Three Kings Islands, named by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1643, lie 53 kilometres north-west of Cape Maria van Diemen.

In the foreground of the group is West Island, on which the trans-Tasman steamer Elingamite was wrecked in 1902

THE VESSEL

The boat will take a max of 6 people so making a really comfortable trip. 

Elingamite Wreck Site
THE DIVING!!

A massive thanks to Skip (www.ianskipworth.com) for supplying me with this dive site info. I dont have any picks to show you as this is my first trip there so stay tuned after this as there will be more images on the Kings. One thing is for sure, is that this place is unbelievable!! One of New Zealands Best kept secrets! It is wild wild wild!!!!

SS Elingamite wreck

The story of the SS Elingamite and her final voyage with a bullion shipment on board is fascinating. For decades, the wreck has drawn divers to the Three Kings in search of its gold and silver coins. The wreckage has been pummeled by ferocious ocean swells for over a century and little is left to identify it but she remains a very popular dive site despite being exposed and current prone.

Princes Arch Pinnacle

Descending through a wall of Pink and Blue Mao Mao, the pinnacle drops quickly to 55 meters. A large cavern at the base leads up to a swim through crack encrusted with beautiful gorgonian fans and ivory coral.

Dentists's Cavity

A community of at least 10 spotted black groper have inhabited this crack for many years. When divers first approach, the curious fish emerge from their lair to inspect the intruders before gradually retreating back into their crack.

Durey's Dream Pipe

An opening appears in the reef inviting divers to descend down a chimney and then along a horizontal tunnel before they emerge back into the daylight at 40 meters depth. The white sandy bottom contrasts beautifully with the ceiling and walls which are covered in gorgonian fans and ivory coral.

King Bank

A drift dive in open ocean, a long way from land. Eyes are peeled for the marlin, tuna and sharks which make this a popular game fishing area.

LOGISTICS

EX: Houhoura

This is a 5 day trip to the imfamous Three Kings Islands. We will be focusing on diving round these islands and if the weather will not play ball then we will do the best at what is handed to us. There is a maximum of 6 spots available on this trip so numbers will be nice and low allowing plenty of flexibility! We will be heading out of Houhoura so here is what we are planning for the trip.

17th FEB 2011 DAY 0 - Drive up north to get to the boat round 4-5pm. Then load the boat up, and steam north and stay the night in a sheltered anchorage in spirits bay somewhere. .

18 - 22 FEB 2011 Day 1 - 5 - Dive round the Three Kings Islands

22 FEB 2011 Day 5 - Steam south back to Hourhoura in the late afternoon, stay onboard that night and head back to Auckland WED 23rd

Trip costs: $2200 NZ this includes all food, accom, all diving, air fills and a poultice of fun and excitement. TO secure your spot you will need to sort us out with a $500 deposit. The rest payable 8 weeks before we leave. If you have any special gear needs then we will try accommodate as much as we can. 

contact me ( Pete Mesley) on 027 2782250 or email me on petemes@ihug.co.nz