Southern Wreck Tours

The Southern Wreck Tour includes a number of wrecks all within easy reach of the lodge which will be the base for our tour. Most of the wrecks are accessible to advanced divers, however the Hippolas is only available to technical divers with the correct training certifications. Training can be provided in advance should wish to contact us for details. The Mkihail Lermontov will be the main wreck of the tour with the possiblity to dive her on 2 days due to her size and easy access.

In addition to the wreck dives there will be an opportunity to dive the sea caves off Port Jackson.

DIVING DETAILS

The Mikhail Lermontov is in 37 meters of water which pushes the limits of recreational diving. This site is however an ideal dive for using  Nitrox, lots of fun for advanced divers. Good buoyancy control is needed on this dive as many of the ships original furnishings are still present and easily disturbed. Meaning that the visibility is good but can become very poor very quickly. Because this ship is located in the Marlborough Sounds the conditions can be quite cold so a 7mm wet suit is a must, preferably a dry suit.

Rangitoto Iron screw steamer. She sunk at the south side of Cape Jackson 1873. Her length is 209 feet

The wreck is in shallow water with an average depth of 8/10m. The engine, boiler, shat and screw are prominent. Large hull plates and scattered debris in and around the wreck site.

The Rangitoto is an easy dive with very little current, the wreck has  good fish life. The wreck site is close to where the Lastingham and Hippolas wrecks are and would be great as a second dive of the day.

Lastingham iron sailing ship. She sunk south side of Cape Jackson 1884. Her length is 221 feet

The Lastingham was on its way from London to Wellington and was totally wrecked on Cape Jackson with the loss of 18 lives.

The wreck is broken up, with hull plates, anchors and masts very recognizable. Most of the wreck lies in 8 to 10m of water, but debris flows down the seabed to a depth of 40m.

The majority of the wreck is covered in kelp and has fantastic sea life including some very large crayfish. It is said that 400 gold sovereigns still remain in the wreck with an approximate value of $90,000.00.

There can be current on this wreck site, especially if diving out in the deeper part of the wreck, generally the current is very mild or nonexistent in the shallower parts of the  wreck site. This is one of the better dive sites in the Marlborough Sounds.

Hippalos, wooden barque. She sunk 1910 off Blumine Island off Queen Charlotte Sound. Her length is 127^th

Another casualty of Cape Jackson’s reefs, the Hippalos sunk under tow to Picton and rests in 63m of water.

Not much is left of the wreck as over the years the decks have collapsed inwards. There are still steel masts, rigging and machinery including a steam driving winch visible along with copper hull plating.

This is a technical dive and should only be considered by those trained in these sorts of depths and diving the appropriate gases and with good planning.

Cape Jackson Sea Caves

Scattered on the  outer northern side of Cape Jackson are several shallow sea caves. These caves, although quite shallow penetrate quite a way into the cape and make for an interesting dive.

SOUTHERN WRECK TOUR INCLUDE: 

6 nights accommodation at the Lermontov Lodge

5 Day charter (2 x dives per day, single cylinder & weights)

All meals

Linen & Towels

Excludes: Nitrox, Trimix, rental gear, flights to Blenheim or ferry crossing

Optional Extra: Return transport lodge – Blenheim airport

Our Southern Wreck tourbegins at Blenheim Airport in the South Island. Meeting times will be confirmed for the transportation to the lodge. If you prefer to arrange your on transportation to the lodge please let us know. the road out to the lodge is very slow and can take about 3 hours to drive.

Accommodation will be at the lodge for the entire tour. The lodge is only a short 10 min boat journey away from the Mikhail Lermontov dive site. Food is included in the price o the trip, along with bed linen.

Two dives will be conducted a day. No diving 24 hours prior to flying.

To maximise your diving, we can offer the following diving courses: Details are available on our website, please let us know if you are interested in any of these courses.

Advanced Nitrox & Decompression Procedures

Advanced Wreck Diver

UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS

Diving is an adventure activity that includes risk to your person. Under New Zealand law we are we required to notify you of the following statement.

You accept that this activity inherently involves risks and potential hazards. The risks and hazards include, but are not limited to breathing compressed gas, marine traffic, marine life, decompression sickness, drowning, barotrauma, air embolism, decompression illness, dehydration, gas narcosis, malfunctioning equipment, ear problems, sun damage, hyperthermia, hypothermia, sea sickness, and adverse weather events.

These activities are run in the outdoors on the ocean, so may be exposed to sudden natural disasters such as, but not limited to Tsunami, Earthquakes, Slips Landslides or Rock Falls, or Volcanic Eruption. I am aware that participating in the activities offered by New Zealand Diving Limited can be hazardous even if they are conducted with care, control, and responsibility. You acknowledge that these risks could result in my injury (physical or mental) or even death.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please read our terms & conditions found on our website page, frequently asked questions before booking: https://nzdiving.co.nz/faq/

Sometimes our activities may have to be rescheduled due to situations outside of our control, such as poor weather. Please note we reschedule in such situations, as described in our terms and conditions.

Overseas participants are advised to carry travel insurance in case rescheduling is unsuitable.

All participants must be of good health and complete a medical declaration. This is available on our website: https://nzdiving.co.nz/faq/

All participants must be diving certified to dive on a charter or undergoing a diving course with New Zealand Diving Limited.

All participants must be able to swim a minimum of 200m, unassisted.

Bring plenty of warm clothing and any special treats with you. This is a very remote location with no corner shops!

Dive gear can be provided but needs to be arranged in advance.

We can arrange standard sports & technical diving equipment if required.

Those of you who prefer to dive with technical twin sets or side mounts these can also be arranged.

Nitrox & Trimix gas is also available but must be ordered in advance