17 February 2025 3:08 pm

Diving and Hydration

When it comes to diving and hydration, many divers believe that a big drink of water before a dive will keep them hydrated. This may result in a near-bursting bladder during the dive – it doesn’t hydrate you.

One of the leading preventatives of the Bends, or Decompression Sickness (DCS), is hydration. About 60% of our total body mass is fluid and in diving we lose some of this fluid through sweating. When we exercise, we generate heat and sweat glands secrete water to the skin surface, where the heat is evaporated. This process cools us but also steadily reduces our fluid volume. The amount we sweat in diving depends on: the temperature of the water, whether we use a wet suit or a dry suit, the effort required, our fitness level and our gender. Scuba air is cold and very dry so we constantly lose fluid as we heat and moisturise each breathe.

Although you have peed before getting into your wet or dry suit, you might find you want to pee again during or just after the dive. Diving in cold water causes blood in the arms and legs to move to the core of the body. This increases our blood pressure causing fluids to be flushed by urination. As our fluid volume drops during the dive, our blood thickens and that slows nitrogen elimination thus increasing the risk of DCS. This increase in urination, will further lower our absorbed fluid volume. A diver who has not hydrated correctly, could soon have problems.

So, how should we hydrate for diving? We are told our daily intake of fluid should be about 3-4 litres for men and about 2-3 litres for women. The best fluid to hydrate with is water. Slow and gradual hydration is the sensible approach as too much water drunk too quickly just gets flushed through our system. Don’t wait, feeling thirsty means we are DEHYDRATED.

How to keep hydrated

We need to keep up our daily intake of water prior to and during any dive trip. If we lose fluid through sweating, frequent urination, sun burn, sea sickness, multiple dives – or you have been drinking alcohol, drink more water but be sensible about it. So, every morning drink a glass of water when you wake up, then one with each meal. Try to keep to your daily intake. Take a reusable, BPA-free water bottle with measurement markings and drink 250 mls immediately before and after each dive. Fruit is also good as fruit contains water. Aim for 2–4 litres spread evenly through the day. For further advice, talk to your dive medical expert.

31 December 2024 2:14 pm

2025, A year for Scuba Diving.

Like every year, 2025 will be a great year to get out Scuba Diving. There will be days and weeks of great diving at times and a number of marine life around to see. Our oceans are filled with lots of great dive sites to explore and getting underwater will be a great activity for your health and wellbeing.

Opportunities to go diving are everywhere..

Diving around Wellington is easy compared to a lot of places. Our coastlines are home to a variety of topographies and marine life to explore, most are just an easy walk in off the shore! The Taputeranga Marine Reserve in 2025 will have been in place for 17 Years! The Reserve is a popular diving destination and is visited regularly by Scuba Divers, Snorkelers and Freedivers.

Whitirea Park, Rocky Bay and Titahi Bay are some of the easier to get to dive sites around Porirua and offer some great diving. All levels of diver can explore these dive sites and take in the underwater experience.

Our Dive Days give all divers the opportunity to get together and go diving. All you need is your Open Water Diver rating and let us know you are coming.

Take a dive course

Dive Courses are now safer than ever with highly developed safety protocols. The Knowledge and Skills you develop enable you to enjoy a lifetime of Scuba Diving experiences. Our PADI programs are the best in the world and we pride ourselves on maintaining the quality that divers have come to enjoy. 2025 is no different; dive courses through our Dive Shop in Wellington run all year round and you can sign up and be learning on the same day thanks to PADI eLearning. After just a little online study you can get started learning dive skills in our in-store pool and be out in the ocean exploring in no time!

Continuing Education programs like PADI Advanced Open Water are available to improve your diving experiences. You learn better underwater navigation techniques and do a Deep dive! There are three optional scuba dives in the PADI courses we run around the Wellington and Porirua coasts. The can be things like a Wreck dive (very cool), Buoyancy, Imaging, or Underwater Naturalist (learning about and identifying marine life).

Specialty Courses expand on the Advanced Open Water Dives and the Rescue Diver course builds your dive safety skills. You can earn the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating and join the Honours Board to be remembered for ever! The skills you develop here put you in a class of divers with a high level of recreational diving abilities and skills.

High quality dive gear

At New Zealand Sea Adventures, our Dive Gear is state of the art, quality, durable dive gear designed with the New Zealand Diver in mind. We specialise in selecting the best dive gear available at the best prices available that provides the essential components that make your diving better. And none that don’t. Our expert staff know what works and can help you to make the right choices. So that way you have the dive gear that will work best for you.

Keep up to date

PADI ReActivate and Refresher courses are available in 2025 and other options to keep your dive skills up to date. A half day is all that’s needed for a Refresher or ReActivate and even divers certified from a different agency can complete the PADI ReActivate and get a PADI certification for easier recognition. Speciatly courses are great for keeping your diving progressing and give you the opportunity to get advice and assistance from your Instructor too.

Dive Pro and Leadership

PADI Divemaster courses are the ultimate personal development tool for divers. Gain you access to PADI Professional services and hone your dive skills to a professional level. The Knowledge gained durinng the Divemaster course is an invaluable asset that will add to your diving in ways you didn’t think possible.

16 December 2024 3:56 pm

Becoming a Scuba Diver - What to know, do and when.

There are many mysteries to uncover within the underwater realm. Your Dive Instructors yield seemingly otherworldly knowledge and skills that may seem out of reach. There are many important things to learn when becoming a SCUBA diver and knowing what you can do and when is a valuable skill set to learn.

An Absolute Beginner? Learn to Scuba Dive.

Taking the PADI Open Water Diver course is potentially life changing. From here on you may discover (if not already), a whole new passion for diving and the underwater world. You’ll take your first breaths underwater and experience marine life while exploring the beneath the oceans surface for the first time.

You gain lot’s of essential knowledge and skills before heading to the open water for the first time so no need to worry. Plus you’ll be with a PADI Professional SCUBA Instructor who will help make sure you get things right and get the most out of your time underwater. There is little needed to take the PADI Open Water Diver course; some basic swimming skills, a simple Medical Form/check and a little online study is all that’s needed to be fully prepared for your in-water lessons. No prior experience necessary.

Many people take the PADI Open Water Diver course as it is the most popular scuba diver course in the world. You’ll become certified to SCUBA dive unsupervised to a maximum of 18 metres anywhere in the world!

Got your diving "ticket"? What to do next...

Gain some guided diving experience with the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course. Your continuing education courses are even more enjoyable and fulfilling. Your tales of underwater adventures will start to really resonate and you’ll start to gain a sound understanding of what makes a really great dive. There are 5 different dives in the course including Underwater Navigation and a Deep Dive. Your other three dives are optional with some popular dives being Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck, Naturalist, Fish ID and the Night dive.

Once a certified PADI Advanced Open Water Diver you can take the PADI Rescue Diver course. This is an excellent way to hone in your diving safety, especially if you’re looking to get out diving further a field. You’ll refine some of your Open Water Diver skills and learn new Rescue Diver Skills and expertise to keep yourself and others diving safely. Never long for a dive buddy again as certified PADI Rescue Divers also make great dive buddies, and everybody knows this too.

When the underwater world starts to become your second home.

Have no fear, you’ve only explored the first minute percentage of the underwater world… There is so much to see and do underwater that it’s best to do or start just about anywhere. You’ll never miss a thing if you’re moving forward with PADI Specialties. Every rating builds a knowledge base and certification levels to take you to the very reaches of Recreational Diving. You can learn more about the underwater world and your Equipment with Naturalist and Equipment Specialties. Plus there’s Enriched Air Nitrox diving, Underwater Archaeology and many more.

The PADI Master SCUBA Diver rating highlights and acknowledges a Diver who has achieved Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, 5 PADI Specialty Diver ratings and 50 or more logged SCUBA Dives. The accomplishment is highly sought after and divers with this rating are said to be among the elite divers who are able to dive with the best and at the best dive sites around the world.

5 November 2024 4:19 pm

Great Christmas Gift Ideas for Divers

Christmas Gift Ideass…. Visit our store or shop online (hint, shopping in store gives you more options..) for that diver, family member or friend. Gift Vouchers are available plus the many of the essentials and fun extra bits of gear. A dive course also makes a great Christmas Gift. Don’t forget to drop some hint’s for yourself too..

Dive Boots, Gloves, Gear Bags, Catch Bag’s and lights make up the “socks and undies” of diving gifts. Regular divers will often be in need of replacements either now or in the future so these staples are an easy go-to Christmas Gift Idea as with Air Fill Cards too. Aspiring Spear-fishers might like a leg-up with one of our quality Rob Allen Spear Guns which come with a stack of features and upgrade options. Like gloves and boots or even booties; wetsuits also need replacing occasionally and are sometimes left a little longer than is desirable.

SCUBA Gear is a must and although with good care and maintenance it lasts particularly well.. There is nothing quite like a new modern style BCD or that first set of kit makes a great gift too. Weight integrated BCDs have earnt a strong following for comfort and convenience while diving. New Atlantis Regulators offer excellent performance and serviceability at very competitive price too! Dive Computers are a must and the Shearwater range in store has all the best features. From the Peregrine to the Teric there’s something for Recreational Divers, Tech Divers and Freedivers too.

We stock a quality range of Terminal Tackle with Rod and Reel combos that are popular Christmas Gifts. We can help you put together a “Fishing Pack” for your friend or family member. Pick from our selection of hand fishing tools and add-ons to add that bit of convenience to someones fishing kit.

Visit our bright yellow store at 9 Marina View in Mana, Porirua today for a great Christmas gift.. or two.

25 October 2024 4:28 pm

When to get your Dive Kit

Should I get my own dive gear?
Is hiring dive gear as convenient as I think?
What part’s of my kit should I be considering at different levels?
What if I plan to dive locally and or travel?

Lot’s of new and even experienced divers can get find themselves asking some or all of these questions about what dive gear is best rented or owned. Either for local diving or while traveling, what is a good idea to take with you and what should be rented? As a reputable Dive Store and Diver Training Centre we are well placed to help you pick the right gear at the right times. Our services offer the best convenience for both your current diving and diving in the future. So…

Mask, Snorkel, Fins and Boots.. Gloves?

Certainly at any stage, a Mask, Snorkel, Fin’s and even Dive Boot’s and Glove’s and are a great purchase to get you started. Even if you’re Snorkeling or just giving scuba diving a go, chances are you’ll enjoy it more with a quality piece of dive gear that’s hand picked to suit you. Once you have these you’ll always be that little bit more set up and “ready to go” when diving and snorkelling opportunities come your way. Plus have the added confidence of knowing your kit better too.

Wetsuit’s and Drysuits

Another piece of Dive Kit you should consider early on is your Wetsuit or Drysuit. These come in a variety of styles and thicknesses. A good fitting Wetsuit with the features you need will add a considerable amount of comfort to your Snorkeling, Free-diving and SCUBA diving. We have all the common Wetsuit types in quality brands made using environmentally friendly methods too.

Or in temperate water like Wellington, you might consider a Drysuit for your diving. These are able to be adjusted by the amount of thermal undergarments to keep you warm in any climate. You can purchase a Drysuit to learn to dive in and take the Drysuit Diver Specialty at the same time. Any certified dive can take the PADI Drysuit Diver Specialty at any stage.

Camera’s, Bags and Gadgets

You’ll need a good dive bag for your dive gear. There are bag’s available made from Mesh to keep your smaller dive kit items together like Mask, Fins etc. Right through to gear bag’s for full Spearfishing or Scuba kit. Weight bag’s are handy for dive weights and travel bags when planning overseas trips. When should you get an underwater Camera? Once you’re comfortable doing the activity then an Underwater Camera is a priceless accessory. Capture those experiences to share for a lifetime and snap photo’s of your favourite marine life as you go. Torches are helpful for SCUBA divers especially, these are a great addition to your kit to help bring light to darker crevices , Night Diving, Wreck Diving and much more..

Safety item’s like a dive knife are required for certified divers as with safety sausages and SMB’s (Surface Marker Buoys) for SCUBA diving are an important item to carry also. We have a custom SMB Specialty Course where you can learn how to operate these from under the water too. Surface signaling devices like a whistle or a DiveAlert are a must as well.

SCUBA Gear?

You’re a certified Diver, should you get your own set of SCUBA gear? During your Open Water Diver course you’ll learn what’s needed to get you started and become certified to SCUBA dive with a buddy. Learning what work’s for you take’s experience and likely if you plan to dive for many year’s you’ll end up replacing things and upgrading too. Some divers hire the SCUBA gear initially until they are better set up for and convinced it’s something they want to do regularly.

If you’re looking at continuing through to PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, PADI Rescue Diver and Specialty Diving courses etc. then having your own SCUBA gear adds comfort, convenience and saves you money along the way. Getting your own SCUBA Kit will also helps you fine tune your kit for longer dives and better dives! This also allows you the freedom and convenience to go diving when it suits you, saving you time not having to organise kit for each diving excursion along the way too.

Some essential items for your SCUBA kit include:

A hard wearing, comfortable BCD, preferably Weight Integrated.
Regulator’s; 1st Stage, Primary, Alternate Air Source and a Gauge or Computer. (Dive Computer’s like a wrist option are generally preferable and are sometimes even purchased before a SCUBA Kit. This is particularly true if you’re doing deep and/or multiple dives in a day and multi-day dive trips.
Dive Safety Knife in case of entanglement.
Signalling Devices; Both surface and some underwater options are available.
An SMB or Safety Sausage are important.
Don’t forget a dive bag too.

Dive Tanks.. To buy or to rent?

If you’re going to be diving locally then you might want to look at purchasing your own dive tank or tanks. As with your SCUBA gear, the convenience is second to none, plus you can choose from a greater range including Steel, Aluminium and the size to suit your diving style too. For the occasional dive or when it come’s to dive travel, often renting is a better option. Just remember your weights needed for each cylinder type and wetsuit thickness or drysuit and undergarment configuration.

Going Sidemount or Technical Diving?

You will need a Modular BCD System like our Atlantis or Dive Rite Transpac options and different Regulator configurations too. At these levels our range of options can be configured to suit all divers and situations. Talk to us in store for the right gear for you. Certainly the availability of hire equipment at this level will be very minimal or non-existent so your own Sidemount and Technical Diving gear is almost a given.

Summary

Getting gear with each dive course is an excellent idea, you’ll not only be more comfortable but you’ll learn how to use it correctly. If you’re confident in your abilities, just want a set of kit or to try stuff on your own then of course any time while becoming suitable certified or afterwards is fine. The right answer is different for everybody. Talk with and source your gear from a reputable dive store. NZ Sea Adventures offers as much or as little advice and training as is needed with any dive gear or courses.

7 September 2024 1:14 pm

What does it mean to be a PADI Divemaster?

A PADI Divemaster is a diver with a great understanding of diving physiology, physics, practical knowledge, equipment and enhanced diving skills; but there is even more to it than that. Being a PADI Divemaster is knowing your fellow divers better and being able to easily integrate into any diving situation and dive group in a profoundly positive way.

Imagine almost being able to see things before they happen, being looked to for advice and direction by other divers and seen as an experienced, skilled and knowledgeable diver. A Divemaster is a diver who can also “see through the fog” in a lot of ways too. Knowing when to help another diver and when not to is a great skill to have. The confidence and skills you gain enable better diving experiences both for your own diving and when diving as part of a diving group is second to none.

Skills, confidence, knowledge, respect and safety are all benefits that qualified PADI Divemasters enjoy. On top of this there is also the professional benefits through PADI that include exceptional professional support and access to a great range of resources to benefit your diving and if you choose, a career as a PADI Professional Diver.

You will learn more about yourself as you develop dive briefing and dive management skills that increase your leadership abilities. Taking on Divemaster skill development and tasks is a great personal development tool. We all need to grow and learn as we progress through life. With Divemaster training you can do so more easily by learning about and understanding your own personal strengths and how to put them into action for yourself and for other divers too. By opening yourself up to the challenges during your Divemaster course, you’ll find the process an unforgettable and unmatched tool for personal development.

Don’t waste any more time thinking about it, invest in expanding your own diving knowledge, personal development and diving leadership skills by signing up for your PADI Divemaster course.

19 August 2024 10:09 am

Specialty Weekend and Dive Day

There are some exciting course offers scheduled for divers to knock out some key PADI Specialties with our Specialty Weekend on the 7th and 8th of September. Take any one, two or all three specialties and get a dive in on the Sunday as well.

Equipment, Emergency Oxygen and Enriched Air Nitrox contribute greatly to your collection of Specialty ratings. Attend our Equipment Specialty to increase your understanding of dive gear to help keep your diving equipment trouble free. Emergency Oxygen gets you prepared and develops your understanding of diving first aid further. Then EANx/Enriched Air Nitrox, one of the most popular specialties, helps with extending your bottom time and/or increasing your safety around decompression.

Saturday:

PADI Equipment Specialty

8:30am till around midday.

Learn how your dive gear works and a little equipment “first aid” to help keep your dives running smoothly.

PADI Emergency Oxygen Specialty

1pm till around 4pm

Breathe easy—knowing that you know how to recognize illnesses treatable by emergency oxygen.

Earn important Specialty ratings, get yourself closer to Master Scuba Diver and join in on the dive day for a great weekend all about diving! Specialty ratings also get you entries for the free trip for two!

Sunday:

Regular Guided Dive Day

9am to around 1pm

Gain diving experience and get to know some local dive sites with a dive instructor to lead the way.

PADI Enriched Air Diver

Practical from 2pm to 3pm

Extend your bottom time and increase your safety around decompression sickness.

20 July 2024 2:14 pm

Tips and Tricks for Warmer Diving..

Having the right diving thermals and dive gear offering exposure protection while diving can make a significant difference to your diving. It’s not just about keeping warm enough either, in some cases it’s quite the opposite.

If you’re not already using a Wet Suit, these make a considerable difference and 7mm either one or two piece wet suit’s are best for Wellington SCUBA diving. Dry Suit’s do come highly recommended for the cooler months and offer a greater range of exposure protection for all types of scuba diving.

During the cooler months you will certainly be looking for ways to keep warm while diving and there is a great range of suitable diving thermals in store. There are Neoprene Vest’s which can make a significant difference when added underneath a Wet Suit. Fourth Element Thermomcline offer the next level of added warmth to your Wet Suit diving. These high quality diving thermals not only act as extra warmth while underwater but also help to keep you warm between dives. The technology helps to stop the “chill” from the air entering your Wet Suit. Many people are very surprised by how effective these are.

We offer the popular Scubapro Everdry 4 Dry Suit’s new. These come standard in a modern, 4mm Neoprene, modern and flexible design. These offer considerable warmth on their own but most divers will have some thermal layers underneath. Choosing from the Fourth Element range, you can select the level of extra warmth needed by using the Arctic or Xerotherm options. Using these on their own or together for added warmth sometimes around your torso is a popular option. There are also Arctic Expedition tops and the Halo for very low temperatures and deep diving.

Don’t forget your feet, hands and head. Good quality 5mm Neoprene Dive Boot’s are common for Wellington Diving, you can also add Thermocline Fin Socks too! Scuba Diving Gloves come in 2mm, 2.5mm and 3mm Neoprene so select the thickness to suit your need’s. 3mm will be comfortable for most times of the year. Atlantis dive gloves are your “go-to” option for easy donning and hard wearing. Fourth Element gloves offer the next level of warmth in a high end dive glove. Try some on in store and you’ll be very surprised.

Most 7mm WetSuits come standard with a hood attached. If yours does not, then this could be a worthy investment. Hoods cam be added either as a separate Hood or in a Hooded Vest underneath your Wet Suit. Hooded Vests help to minimise water movement in and out of the Wet Suit, as well as adding thermal layers for your body and head. A hooded vest can even be added underneath a Wet Suit that already has a hood!

Remember to keep warm before and after diving too. This can make a significant difference to your time spent underwater. A cold diver entering the water will not keep up with a warm diver entering the water with the same exposure protection. Warm drinks (tea and “milo”) plus a little sunshine help with this. When shore diving you can warm up in your vehicle on the way to and from the dive site or even between dives. A warm thermos of water to poor down your Wet Suit is a great idea too.

Our dive shop is open every day from 8am to 5pm. Stop by and talk to one of the staff about your exposure protection needs for diving and scuba diving. We’ve got loads of experience and our shop is packed with many specialised options for your diving, both locally and in other places. In no time you’ll find that diving with the right dive gear and techniques will almost entirely eliminate any problems with the cold, or overheating…

15 June 2024 3:51 pm

Diver Support Services

Certified divers can enjoy extended support services through our dive centre. These include Dive Tank fills, Cylinder testing, Dive Gear servicing and repairs. Diving Refreshers, a PADI ReActivate along with a good range of modern Dive Gear, Continuing Education Courses to develop your diving further, regular diving is available and Tech Diving Gear as well.

Skills Refreshers and ReActivating

Not been diving for a while and need a skills refresher? Looking to update your diving knowledge to the latest accepted practices, technology and techniques? Our Refresher and PADI ReActivate programs can be done almost any day of the week. Just a half day is needed for the pool skills refresher and the optional online PADI eLearning can be completed in your own time. The ReActive eLearning also includes a “ReActivated” PADI certification. A ReActivate can also be used to if you have a certification from another training agency and want a PADI certification for easier recognition.

Cylinder Filling

Air Fill’s are available for any cylinder that meets the approved filling standards as per New Zealand Authorities. We aim to fill while you wait where possible so allow a little time when you come in to get your cylinder/s filled. That way you can take the filled cylinder/s with you at the same time. While waiting you can browse our comfortable store, grab that bit of dive gear you’ve been meaning to get. There’s a notice board and memorabilia, we have a collection of historic diving items and recovered items, both historic, recent, local and from abroad that have been recovered from beneath the sea. Strike up a conversation with available staff, just like you, we all love to chat about diving and remain a hub for local knowledge.

10 Fill Cards are available at a reduced cost per fill.

Other diving gas mixes are available via partial pressure mixing: Enriched Air Nitrox, Trimix and Oxygen filling and cleaning of cylinders and valve also.

NOTE: There are times when cylinder filling may be delayed so please allow for this possibility when planning your diving. Bringing your cylinders in for filling on “off days” for example; poor diving weather and some week days, will help ensure you don’t get delayed when heading out for a dive. If you need to leave the cylinder/s with us, we can give you an idea of when it will be ready. Make an effort to collect the cylinder at your earliest convenience. NZSA cannot take any responsibility for cylinders left in our store, misplaced or otherwise. Although uncommon, we regret that the occasional theft is an unfortunate reality.

Scuba Diver Training and Development

Perfect your buoyancy control, underwater navigation and many other diving and some non-diving competencies. The PADI Diver Training system covers many aspects of diving, both practical and knowledge based. Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver courses can make all the difference and complete the core set of dive courses. Achieving Master Scuba Diver is a defining moment in the life of the few divers who achieve this Recreational level. Divemaster and Instructor courses are available along with Medic First Aid among others. Other Diving experiences are also available for divers to enjoy guided local diving experiences.

Gear Servicing, Parts and Repairs

Got a broken Fin or Mask strap, Regulators or BCD due a service? Maybe your Drysuit needs new seals or a new Zip. Speargun issues or parts? Bring in your piece of dive gear that’s in need of attention to keep it in top working order and we’ll get it sorted for you.

Simple repairs can be done quickly on “off days” or there may be a delay during busier periods, but we’ll almost always be able to get it sorted for you eventually, offer advice on what is possible or offer replacement options. Regulator Servicing takes around 7 days in most cases. Sometimes there can be a delay on special parts needed so if you have a trip planned and need servicing done, bring the gear into us well in advance.

Cylinder Testing

We have a complete Hydrostatic and Visual Cylinder testing service on site. For this you will need to leave your cylinder/s with us. Time frames vary by demand and availability of staff. A cylinder test can be completed and the cylinder filled sometimes within a few hours, during busier periods it could be up to a week but rarely longer that this.

Your Dive Tank/Cylinder requires a test every 12-24 months; A Hydrostatic Test every 2 years/24 months and a Visual only test after the first 12 months to get the full 24 months of the Hydrostatic test. All Hydrostatic tests are stamped on the cylinder and visual tests are stamped on the plastic tag/ROC Tag. These are the legal requirements any Scuba Cylinder to be filled in New Zealand.

Valves are not tested or serviced during the cylinder testing process. Consequently they are often overlooked. Is your valve a bit hard to twist? Becoming difficult to turn on or off? Valves are easily replaced with a new valve. Modern valves can be serviced for less than the price of a new valve.

Ask about a Valve Service or a New Valve with your next Cylinder Test.

NOTE: When your Cylinder is tested and filled we make an effort to contact you via phone or email. If it has been a day of two since your cylinder was expected to be ready, then you may have missed a call or email. In this case, please visit our store or call to check on the progress of your cylinder/s, we’re more than happy to give you an update. Make an effort to collect the cylinder at your earliest convenience. NZSA cannot take any responsibility for cylinders left in our store, misplaced or otherwise. Although uncommon, we regret that the occasional theft is an unfortunate reality.

Management:

Please heed the legal information below posted around our store.

Your Cylinders

We fill your cylinders to max pressure allowed by Regulation.
When your cylinder cools, the pressure will drop.
If you want your cylinder topped-up, please pay for the extra airfill.
If your cylinder has a faulty valve, it may lose pressure.
NZSA is not responsible for loss of pressure.
NZSA is not responsible for the security of your cylinder.
Do NOT store your cylinder here.

Cylinders Left at NZSA

We ask customers to respect our rights by not leaving cylinders at NZSA.
A cylinder is considered abandoned if it is not collected the day it is filled.
We will take all reasonable care but are not liable for the security of any abandoned customer property.
Your payment to us is for air fills or tanks testing – not secure storage.

14 June 2024 11:54 am

Scuba Diving is good for you.

There are many advantages to being a Scuba diver that go beyond the pure joy of being able to breath underwater. Being seemingly unaffected by gravity and enjoying the underwater world with others as you develop a greater understanding of the underwater world, you explore, learn and discuss all the unique aspects of the activity with peers and your instructor. Plus Scuba diving has many health and social benefit’s too.

Taking your first dive course and becoming a certified PADI Open Water Diver is a thrilling experience that stimulates all the senses. The physical, intellectual, social and jaw dropping awe sometimes at the previously unknown perspective on how you can interact with the ocean. It’s no wonder the PADI Open Water Diver course is so popular.

With regular diving and developing your dive skills further, the extent of what you can gain becomes more and more apparent. Things like equipment handling, buoyancy control, navigation and your understanding of how to interact with marine life. These things become more and more like second nature when you combine proper training with experience. These aspects challenge and develop your mind and body on every dive with an enjoyable workout on all levels.

Scuba diving is a complete workout that is both relaxing and exciting at the same time. Handling your dive gear works your muscles in similar ways as resistance training, which is known to have great health benefits. Of course make sure you are using good techniques like using your legs when lifting and not your back. Swimming around underwater while Scuba Diving gives you the option to relax and swim at a pace that suits you, it doesn’t always feel like you’re even exercising but the resistance of the water affects your every movement. It’s a full body workout while you relax into your dive and explore….. HOW GOOD IS THAT!!

There are also the meditative affects of focusing on your body’s movements and breathing. Experienced divers with a good level of training, like say Master Scuba Diver, learn to master dive skills to this level. The Advanced Open Water course goes a long way to getting your skills to this level too. Becoming a PADI Professional like a Divemaster or Instructor develops your skills further. With these high level courses you get your diving knowledge, leadership and teaching skills to a level where if you choose, you can take up this great health activity as a professional diver.

So do yourself and your body a favour and go Scuba Diving!

27 May 2024 1:09 pm

PADI Master Scuba Diver Challenge

PADI are offering you the chance to win! Earn your PADI Master Scuba Diver rating between the 1st of June and 31st of December to go in the draw for a dream holiday for two!

What is a Master Scuba Diver?

A Master Scuba Diver is a diver with a level of experience and training who can explore much more of the underwater world. A recreational diver with great knowledge and skills for Recreational Scuba Diving

Who becomes a Master Scuba Diver?

Divers with a minimum of 50 Logged Dives and who has completed all of their Core diver courses; Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver courses. On top of this, a PADI Master Scuba Diver has completed 5 or more PADI Specialty courses.

How do I win a Trip for Two?

Anybody who completes their Master Scuba Diver rating between the 1st of June 2024 and the 31st of December 2024 gets and automatic entry!

Looking to get some extra entries?

Earn extra entries by completing qualifying PADI courses through to the end of the year:

PADI Master Scuba Diver rating – 10 entries
PADI Rescue Diver certification– 5 entries
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification– 3 entries
PADI Specialty Diver certification– 2 entries
PADI Open Water Diver certification– 1 entry

27 May 2024 8:44 am

Why Drysuits are Great

Drysuits are convenient and comfortable way of keeping warm while diving. You don’t need to dry off afterwards and don’t get the wind chill against your wet body. People who have made the transition to Drysuit diving find they are a complete wonder and look back on their wetsuit diving days in complete disarray!

Convenience

Imagine being completely dry at the end of every dive.. For those who have yet to understand how a drysuit works, commonly they are completely enclosed accept for openings at the end of the arms (with wrist seals) and an opening at the top with a neck seal. Because of this, a properly operated Drysuit in good repair will keep you completely dry for the entire dive. At the end there is no mess and you are already dry!

Economy

Economy is not something many think about when a drysuit is concerned but the opposite is actually true. Drysuits save you the countless levels of discomfort and inconvenience required to keep warm when diving a wetsuit when the water temperature is cooler. Sure it can be done with many wetsuit layers or some careful planning around your dive and we’ve all done this at some stage and had great dives. When diving a drysuit however, you can adjust the temperature to the conditions and mindlessly wonder around or carry out tasks underwater without such an energy expense and cost to your concentration. While diving a drysuit in temperate conditions, the increased value you get from every dive and energy left over is substantial.

Warmth

Diving in even the coldest waters of the world can be done in comfort with a Drysuit. Using the correct drysuit features and undergarments means you can stay warm in any climate. With an adjustable layer of air and thermal layer/s between the diver and external layer of a drysuit you can achieve any level of protection and warmth. Some people prefer diving their drysuit so much to the point they will wear fewer thermal layers in warmer waters just to dive dry!

So if you’re looking to take the plunge into Drysuit Diving don’t hesitate. Talk to our staff about the best option for you and get yourself diving dry!

22 April 2024 8:57 am

Free PADI AWARE Specialty

Join us for a free AWARE Specialty course. Learn local and global insights related to our ocean environment and how you can be a torchbearer to help save the ocean. Learn about some of the most pressing problems facing these vulnerable environments and everyday actions you can take to help conserve them. It’s informative, interesting and most importantly, you learn how to make a difference.

When: 21st of July, 9am to around midday.
Where: NZ Sea Adventures

This unique, live and in person Specialty is a great short course that can also count toward your PADI Master Scuba Diver rating if you choose to purchase the PADI certification.

Registration and Attendance is free but Registration is required.

4 April 2024 4:39 pm

Why become a certified Scuba Diver?

Learning to Scuba Dive is exciting, eye opening, inspiring and fun. We’re excited you are looking at taking your PADI Open Water Diver course through our store and hope to get you started soon.

Here are some great reasons:

Certified PADI Open Water Divers have the knowledge and skills to safely Scuba Dive to a maximum depth of 18m.
You can explore many dive sites both locally and throughout the entire world as PADI certifications are recognised Worldwide.
Although a Refresher/ReActivate is recommended after a period of inactivity, your PADI diver ratings never expire.
Once certified you can take Continuing Education courses like Advanced Open Water. During an Advanced Open Water course you can work on your technique; learn new skills or learn about marine life, explore different diving environments and earn your 30m depth rating!
Learning to Scuba dive is very exciting and loads of fun.
Scuba Diving is great for your health and well-being along with being an immensely fulfilling experience enjoyed by many people!
Scuba divers are great people, you’ll become part of a group of inspired individuals with a shared love and appreciation for our underwater world.

And that is just the beginning……

At New Zealand Sea Adventures we have some of the most experienced and qualified Instructors in New Zealand. We’re passionate about teaching people to Scuba Dive and about the underwater world. Dive Courses are easy with our convenient, purpose built on-site diver training pool, comfortable classroom and a large retail area full of great dive gear. There is even a special “Crew” area where you can relax and talk about your diving..

Please let us know if you have any special questions or need help with anything. We hope to have you join us soon..

4 March 2024 9:24 am

Regular Night Dives

Entering the water and exploring by torch light is exciting and exhilarating! With no daylight savings from late April to September, this makes it a popular time of the year for Night Diving. Join us for a regular night dives, meet at our store 5pm to get organised then head out to the best Night Diving site on that.. night.

Divers must be minimum Advanced Open Water or Night Diver certified (courses available). Join the dive for just $20 per person.

Gear Hire and air fills are available. For the best experience we recommend having your own dive light. There are a limited number of spare dive lights, you may need to supply batteries to use these.

Keep an eye on our Newsletter for scheduled night dives, ask about a Night Dive with your Advanced Open Water course and the Night Diver Specialty.

4 January 2024 11:05 am

Dive into 2024!

Get yourself underwater in 2024 with your first course or your next dive course at New Zealand Sea Adventures and some new kit along the way. Enjoy a purpose built facility with our very own diver training pool, experienced professional instructors, great dive gear options and Wellingtons great diving opportunities. Be it your next course or learning to scuba dive or getting that next bit of kit, make recreational scuba diving your 2024 new years resolution…

Learning to SCUBA Dive

The PADI Open Water Diver course is the worlds most popular and recognised entry level Scuba Diving course. With a little online knowledge development you move through to learn equipment set up, practice using the scuba gear and some fun skill development in the pool then head off for 4 fun dives in the Open Water! Wellington is a great place to learn to scuba dive with many easily accessed dive sites and a well established Marine Reserve. At NZ Sea Adventures have also been training scuba divers for over 30 years with an excellent safety record and a balanced environmental focus. We also offer regular diving with our Dive Days.

continuing Education Courses

PADI Adanced Open Water is an excellent step for new and experienced Open Water Divers. It’s fun, exciting and helpful for all levels of confidence. You can learn more about buoyancy control, try a Wreck dive or a Night dive, maybe learn a little more about marine life in the optional dives. You’ll learn more about Underwater Navigation and also complete a fun Deep dive.

Specialty Courses expand on Advanced Open Water Dives offering a complete certifiation for things like Drysuit Diving, Night Diving, Sidemount or Enriched Air Nitrox. There are over 20 Specialty course options to choose along with the popular PADI AWARE Specialty.

Rescue Diver is a great step and valued course that many divers take to increase diving safety. With 5 Specialties you can achieve the esteemed PADI Master Scuba Diver rating too!

New Dive Gear

We stock a great range of all the best dive gear for comfort, performance and value. Select from our range of diving suits, Masks, snorkels and fins, BCD’s Regulator sets plus much more. Anything for Freediving, Scuba diving, Drysuit diving….Get kitted up with our popular Snorkelling and Scuba Packages, updae that old set of Regulators or splurge on a new Shearwater Dive computer! Get an idea on our range from our online store or visit us at 9 Marina View for our complete range. Don’t see something you are after? Ask us and we’ll do our best to help.

11 December 2023 3:58 pm

Do I need a Dive Computer and what type?

Compared to using dive tables and guessing water temperatures, moderating no-deco limits and even air consumption options. These are complex equations for even the sharpest minds among us. For starters, have you ever planned out a dive trip using dive tables, carried a slate to record decent/ascent times etc. It’s time consuming and arduous at best, essentially distracting from enjoying the diving you’d set out to do.

Dive Computer options

There are a variety of options available through our Wellington dive shop to cover more than any divers needs. Select from stylish wrist and watch versions, functional and simple consoles and full functioning multi-purpose options. The best option for value is the best that money can buy. If you’re on a budget then by all means go for the cheaper version to compliment your type of diving at the time. As divers we will grow and learn then need more from a dive computer. Consider your next step/s at the same time and other area’s you are likely to delve into. Extra functions previously not considered can soon become valuable in your diving as well.

SCUBA Diving Computers

Recreational and Technical Divers can all benefit from a top of the line dive computer. You can get the simplest functions from a quality Shearwater Peregrine in either wrist mounted or a console with SPG for air monitoring and a Compass. These keep a track of your full diving information (depth’s, times, temperature, ascent rates) and give real time no-deco’ information while diving. Plus keep a track of your previous dive’s influence to the next. Quickly pull up dive log information at the touch of a button.

The Best you can buy for any type of diving with function’s for all types of diving and options to keep you fascinated can be found in the remaining Shearwater dive computer range. Options include the Perdix with Recreational and Technical Functions to compliment any diving arrangement. From Recreational, Nitrox, Trimix and Rebreather diving, the Perdix has it covered. Air monitoring via wireless transmitters for more than one tank and many more features. Shearwater have a Petrel 2 and a Near Eye Retinal Display (AKA the NERD) that can be plugged into your CCR’s Oxygen Sensors for accurate Rebreather diving..! Another great option in the Shearwater range is a watch style “Teric” dive computer to cover all types of diving; Utilising their easy to read LED screens, divers can enjoy full Freediving, Recreational and Technical Diving features in a handy and slim watch. There are many features to mention so for a full description please see our Computers and Gauges section in the online store.

Free-diving Computers

Yes you need a computer for free-diving as much as for SCUBA diving. A freediving computer should be simple and small so as not to impede your diving and spearfishing. Dive times and surface intervals need to be monitored, water temperature and max depth and time reminders to keep you safe. For a dedicated freediving watch you can pick up a Salvimar ONE for just $349 either in store or through our online store. These have all the functions needed to assist with your Free-diving plus a stylish watch. The Shearwater Teric also has Free-diving functions in a watch size plus will cover any Recreational and Technical SCUBA Diving you do also.

30 October 2023 1:04 pm

Mythical Secrets of how Divers hone their skills...

After an Open Water Diver course you can sometimes be left feeling like there was something missing or maybe it was not complete. You’re looking at taking the next step they keep telling you to do but are not sure or even feeling prepared. For some people is seems their Dive Instructor had it all so well down yet made it look so simple that you don’t feel like you really did that well?

There are many reasons for this and some seem left with little explanation…? Unless you have a close friend or family member who is experienced and know’s how well it can all come together then how do you know for yourself? How do you know these people you just meet, who took you through your training are really being honest with you? The simple truth is that they are being honest and encourage you with the deepest sincerity. By the time somebody becomes a SCUBA Instructor they know hands down the value of diver training systems. There is a unique sense of community that comes with spending time doing courses and diving through your local dive centre.

Mythical Secrets or forgotten logic?

There is no way for you to know this on your own or even amongst your fellow dive course buddies. The best thing you can do is keep in touch with your instructor, working through the various dive courses with them and meeting others along the way sure helps to answer these questions and ease any doubts. You will see the things that may seem like you are not being told are all part of the ongoing course programs. Some divers will go straight through Advanced Open Water then do Specialties and Dive Trips before completing Rescue Diver and anything else. Another Diver may do some diving with just their Open Water Diver rating then move through Advanced, Rescue then Divemaster to become a dive professional.

The answers come from you. You get to choose which course you do and when you go for dives outside of your training plus what and when you take dive trips. When you pursue Advanced Open Water and Specialty courses you develop your own unique set of dive skills and dive buddies. These are the things that were not in your Open Water Diver course because they come later as you develop a skill base.

Although you complete Open Water Diver skills during your course, well honed Open Water Diver skills are not taught and perfected until Divemaster and Instructor levels. That’s when you need them to teach others best practice and to lead by example.

Have confidence that your dive instructor made sure your dive skills are at Open Water Diver level when you got certified, that’s what they are there to help you do. Although a little serious sometimes, SCUBA diving is a relatively safe, pleasant and relaxing activity and this improves as you progress. Even the most experienced divers and teachers will tell you often every dive is better than the last.

There are great social aspects as all scuba divers have something in common, an appreciation for the ocean and exploring it’s many curiosities. An understanding between experienced and trained divers of the opportunities for pure enjoyment while scuba diving is more of an unspoken certainty than a specific skill. So don’t wait, get out diving, be brave and sign up for the next course or dive trip and all your questions will be answered.

12 October 2023 11:34 am

Coping with Seasickness

Seasickness is “a result of a conflict in the inner ear, where the human balance mechanism resides, and is caused by a vessel’s erratic motion on the water… The brain responds with a cascade of stress-related hormones that can ultimately lead to nausea, vomiting, and vertigo.” Strong smells such as petrol fumes, diesel fumes and fish can make this condition worse. If you are on a cruise, it might take you two to three days to get over sea sickness. That will not help if you are just out in a small rocking dive boat for a few hours.

Dehydration and an empty stomach are likely to contribute to sea sickness. It is not just riding in boats that cause us to feel ill, motion underwater can as well. Surface wave action or being underwater and pushed to and fro in a strong surge where the seaweed is also rhythmically swept back and forth, can cause nausea in a diver. To reduce the possibility of an upset stomach, avoid consuming chocolate, milk, coffee or acidic, greasy or spicy foods as they can lead to vomiting. Too much food before a dive can be uncomfortable as it may give you wind, make you queasy and could lead to vomiting. Eat a smallish and fairly bland breakfast. Cereal, toast, eggs, or fruit should help. Take nibbles with you such as muesli bars, nuts or fruit as you can rely on these for extra energy. Sips of water and small snacks at regular intervals during the day is the best practice.

Drinking thin non-spicy soup will add fluid and food to your dive day. Bananas are nutritious and high in starch so they help neutralize excess stomach acid which contributes to sea sickness. If you prefer apples to bananas, the pectin in green apples also helps to neutralize stomach acid. Carrots are another food that will help keep your stomach settled. If you are prone to seasickness or motion sickness, ginger tea, ginger nut biscuits, crystalised ginger or peppermints might help. If not, ask your doctor.

If you do feel you are about to vomit underwater, there is a way you can do that. Press the regulator purge button and use the same technique you were taught to breathe from a free-flowing regulator. The increased air flow will blow your vomit out of your mouth and regulator, while forming an air pocket that you can gag into. That air pocket will prevent you involuntarily sucking in water and blocking your airway. Don’t try vomiting through the regulator. While most of the vomit may be bile, which is mostly fluid, chunks might cause blockages in the regulator exhaust ports and fill the second stage cavity; this will cause you breathing difficulties until you clear it.

As soon as you can, slowly ascend to the surface, inflate your BCD, turn onto your back and face away from the wind. Now you are safe to vomit as your Rescue trained dive buddy, tows you back to the boat or shore. The fish will happily clean up your mess.

So remember, before you go diving, plan your food and water intake, particularly if you are prone to seasickness or motion sickness. Stay away from alcohol before and during the dives. Make every dive a safe (and enjoyable) dive. For more advice, call us on 04 233-8238.

18 September 2023 11:34 am

Dehydration and Decompression Sickness

Alcohol, milk, coffee, chocolate and fizzy drinks should be avoided before a dive as they will contribute to dehydration and high stomach acid. Water is absorbed quickly as it does not need to be metabolised. Drinks with sugar, dyes, fats, or proteins in them take longer to absorb. Tea and juice take about 30 minutes while more complex drinks may take an hour or more.

Decompression sickness is a major risk for scuba divers due to the increased formation of nitrogen bubbles in blood and tissues during and after ascent. About 51% of our blood is water and we need that blood to carry the nitrogen bubbles from our tissue to our lungs for exhaling. We lose a significant percentage of body fluid by sweating as we get ready for a dive and then by breathing dry filtered air from our scuba cylinder. The result is reduced fluid levels. Dehydration is a major cause of decompression sickness or the ‘bends’, so rehydration is necessary to help safely remove the bubbles from our tissue during and after ascent.

The idea is to be well hydrated before you go diving. That does not mean downing a glass of water just before a dive. If you do that, you end up peeing it all into your wet suit or drysuit. Remember that as we descend, pressure on our body increases. That increased pressure squeezes additional blood volume into our major organs and blood vessels. Your brain will interpret this increased blood volume as an excess of fluid. The kidneys respond by producing urine to lower the core fluid volume and that will make you want to pee. So much for the glass of water you just drank!

Try to get in the habit of increasing your water consumption at least 24 hours before your dive as this will give time for the water to be absorbed into your tissue. At the same time, reduce any alcohol intake as alcohol has long lasting dehydration effects. On the day of your dive, slow down your water intake to smaller amounts spread over the day at regular intervals. This will help keep you ‘topped up’ without you wanting to pee so much. Another thing you can do to be more comfortable during your dive, especially if you have a drysuit, is to pee just before you don your dive gear. This is getting rid of fluid which is already urine.

If you are going diving, plan your food and water intake, particularly if you are prone to motion sickness. Stay away from alcohol before and during the dives. Make every dive a safe (and enjoyable) dive. For more advice, call us on 04 233-8238.

Open 8am to 5pm 7 Days

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