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wreckartificial reefboat diveUnverified

NBM Dive Site Resource

HMNZS Canterbury

Paihia, Northland, New Zealand

A 113 m former New Zealand naval frigate sunk as an artificial reef in Deep Water Cove.

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Historic Picture Placeholder

Old-fashioned maritime line drawing reserved for a future historic photograph
Historic Picture PlaceholderHistoric photograph pending research and rights review
WaterMarine
AccessGuided boat dive through a current Bay of Islands operator; no database boat relationship was inferred.
ExperienceAdvanced recommended; penetration only with formal wreck training and operator approval.
Maximum depthApproximately 12–38 m depending on route.
Best seasonDived year-round when operators and conditions permit.
VisibilityOften 8–30 m but weather and plankton vary.

Aquatic life at this dive site

What divers may encounter

Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Site media

Photographs

Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending

Contributor media

Dive videos

Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending

Published reference location

Location map

The marker shows the public coordinates associated with this profile. Confirm current access, moorings, and departure details before the dive.
Published reference coordinates-35.18100, 174.21700
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Recent field observations

Diver-reported temperatures

Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.
Automatically checked
No recent diver reports from the past 14 days

A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.

Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.

Diver field observation

Report temperatures

Reports publish automatically when the date, depths, and temperatures pass the checks. You must be signed in to submit.

Depth readings

Why divers know this place

Highlights

Large purpose-prepared frigate wreck with external structure, marine growth and controlled swim-throughs.

Before you arrive

Access notes

Deep Water Cove protection rules apply. Reconfirm current rāhui/permit requirements, mooring, certification and penetration limits.

Plan within your training

Conditions and hazards

Depth, overhead/penetration, entanglement, sharp metal, silt, current and boat traffic.

At the site

Facilities and support

Paihia operators provide charter boats, rental equipment and surface safety support; remote evacuation may be delayed.

Independent resource notice

This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.