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1 Ascension Place, Rosedale, Auckland 0632
Deliveries to: 5/20 Constellation Drive,
Rosedale,
North Shore,
Auckland 0632
Ph: +64 9 444 7698
Maximum of 6 rock lobster (both species combined) on any one day.
Except Te Arai Point, Auckland to Cape Runaway where a total of 3 spiny rock lobsters can be taken, and the remainder (up to 6 in total) can be packhorse rock lobster. If no spiny rock lobsters are taken at the same time, 6 packhorse lobsters can be taken.
Rules changing in CRA2 area from 1 July 2020
Measure the tail width in a straight line between the tips of the two large (primary) spines on the second segment of the tail. If you are unsure of the sex, use the 60mm measurement.
Measure the tail length along the underside in a straight line from the rear of the calcified bar on the first segment to the tip of the middle fan of the tail. Must have a tail length of at least 216mm (male and female).
There are rules and protections for gathering rock lobster/crayfish that cover: protected types, gathering methods, pot construction and use.
From Te Arai Point, Auckland to Cape Runaway telson clipping is required for all recreationally harvested spiny rock lobsters. The last third of the telson (central part of the tail fan) must be cut off so that it is noticeably shorter than the other sections of the tail fan. This must be done to all legal spiny rock lobsters as soon as they are taken.
Labelled diagram of a telson-clipped lobster [PDF, 551 KB]
Do not telson clip any packhorse rock lobsters.
A common item on most divers bucket list is to get to dive the "President Coolidge" wreck in Santo, Vanuatu. We went there in July 2012 and did just that!
A sprinkling of 83 tropical islands from volcanic beginnings, Vanuatu lies peacefully in the warm waters of the South Pacific, only 2 hours 45 mins from Auckland.
Santo is a mecca for divers from all over the world because of the diversity of the diving offered, ranging from live coral to spectacular wrecks.
It is the final resting place of the 22,000 ton liner turned troopship "SS President Coolidge" and the destroyer "USS Tucker", both victims of US placed mines.
Due to the close proximity of surrounding islands and the tropical climate, dive sites are well protected and the waters remain calm and warm year round. Water temperatures range from 25 to 30° C with visibility from 10m to 40m. All dive sites can be reached within 15 to 30 minutes of departure from the resort by boat.
Aore Island Resort is a magnificent beachfront resort set on a private and secluded tropical island just 3km across the bay from Luganville town and aquamarine.
The accommodation was at Aore Island Resort is in comfortable well appointed bungalows built along the beach surrounded by lush tropical gardens. All rooms have private bathrooms, fridges, electric fans and tea/coffee making facilities. The resort also features a quality open air restaurant and bar on the beach, which provides you with stunning views.
The Deluxe Gardenview Bungalows are the same as the Deluxe Beachfront but set back from the beach in the garden. They are surrounded by tropical plants and lawn.
The Large Nakamal with a wide balcony is the centre of the Resort. It houses the Bar, Restaurant and Lounge Area. Lunch can be eaten in the Nakamal, on the veranda or around the pool. Evenings are relaxing and guests can wander down from their bungalows and sip cocktails as they watch the sunset or relax in the Lounge area and listen to a Local String Band. Dining on the veranda with the lights reflecting across the water from the town creates a special ambiance unique to Aore Island Resort.
Families are also well catered for with lots of non diving activities and plantation walks. A regular free ferry takes you across the bay in a few minutes to access dive operators and facilities in town.
If you are doing shore based dives, the free ferry will take you to town to meet the dive operators, who will transport you by van to the dive sites. Total time from Aore to the dive sites is approx. 30 minutes.
We did boat dives, and so the dive boats departed directly from Aore Resort to the dive sites!
It's not just all about wrecks! There are many local reefs boasting colourful corals and prolific fish and marine life to be explored.
A beautiful and relaxing drift dive over a bed of bright, colourful coral and an abundance of fish life. Divers see a tremendous variety of stag horn corals, large plate corals and our very own "potato head" coral which is unlike anything you've seen before. There is also an abundance of fish life and turtles and sharks are often spotted.
A dive not to be missed, this is one of the most stunning reef dives in all of Vanuatu. This highly protected dive site ensures calm waters, little to no current and crystal clear visibility. You'll see an amazing variety of coral and this is a great dive for spotting crayfish, turtles and sharks.
This dive has it all - caves, swim throughs, chasms, crayfish, and an abundance of spectacular hard and soft corals that seem to go on forever. Incredible visibility makes this a favourite reef dive among our divers
SS president Coolidge
The "SS President Coolidge" is a "must" dive. This luxury ocean liner was converted into a US troopship during WWII and sank off the coast of Santo after hitting a mine.
Lying on her port side with the bow in 18 metres of water and the stern in 73 metres, the 198 metre long wreck is a very impressive site. Almost completely intact, you can swim through the numerous holds and decks viewing the reminders of her glorious days as a cruise liner and the remnants of her days as a troop ship. There are guns, cannons, jeeps, helmets, trucks and personal supplies left by some of the soldiers, as well as the beautiful porcelain statue of "The Lady," chandeliers and a mosaic tile fountain. The wreck is covered in coral and is the home to a plethora of sea life such including turtles, barracuda, lion fish, and a host of reef fish.
Most divers only get to dive from the shore but we will be using boats for all our dives which makes the diving much easier, especially with camera gear! Moorings have been placed at intervals along the wreck to allow quick and easy access to the various parts of the wreck, thus saving both time and air, and allowing more time to explore the Coolidge. There are 20 different dive spots to choose from, so it doesn't matter what the weather is like, good diving is easily found.
Million Dollar Point is not far from the President Coolidge. This amazing dive site is where the US Navy dumped tonnes of valuable machinery and supplies after the war. From the shore down to 35 metres you will find scores of colourful corals and fish that have taken up residence in bulldozers, cranes, engines, large trucks, tyres and all kinds of auxiliary earth-moving equipment. Truly a unique dive.
Espiritu Santo is world renowned for its magnificent reefs, World War II wrecks and memorabilia. It is the new frontier in diving adventures, and home to the President Coolidge, one of the largest and most accessible wreck dives in the world. Santo Island Dive and Fishing is the only operator able to offer dive enthusiasts access to some of the extraordinary reefs found in Espiritu Santo.
They pride themselves on being Santo's most flexible dive operator, offering friendly, personalised service, and specialising in customised dive tours.
Commencing operations in Vanuatu in early 2006, Mal and Tony bring together all the experience gained from operating successful diving, fishing, and commercial dive business's in South East Australia for many years. Santo Island Dive and Fishing's guides are all highly trained and qualified. Recruited locally, they are rich in local culture and history.
All dives with Santo Island dives are boat dives, and the emphasis is on safety, fun and comfort. Each day we do double dives and so we are provided with refreshments during the surface interval. On most occasions it can be enjoyed on a tropical beach with many shady trees.
So there you have it, some great diving at a beautiful resort! If you would like to do a similar trip phone Steve at Dive, Fish, & Snow Travel on 09 479 2210 to secure your spots of tropical diving heaven now!