Frequently asked questions by visitors
Can I freedive at the Poor Knights Islands.
Yes you can, it is an mazing place to freedive.
All freedivers must be qualified and dive in a buddy system following the one up, one down system. This is of course to mitigate the risks of shallow water blackout.
Will my trip get cancelled if it is raining?
No, the rain will not stop us from going to the Poor Knights and enjoying the amazing snorkeling or diving there.
What happens if my trip gets cancelled due to the sea conditions?
You can reschedule your trip to another date or get a refund.
What happens if I am late for my trip?
If you are running a just little bit late, don’t stress, just give us a call using Whatsapp on the number provided in your booking details.
If you are running extremely late, we cannot hold the other passengers up and the boat will leave without you. You will not get a refund.
What if I need to change the date of my trip?
If you give us more than 24 hours notice, then we can change your booking to another date that suits you.
If it is within 24 hours, then you will lose your booking.
What’s the chance of my trip being cancelled?
We do not cancel trips unless the sea conditions become unpleasant or unsafe.
If the direction of the sea and wind are coming from directly north or south, this can close down the islands as there will be no sheltered dive sites.
Not enough customers are booked on for the trip. We run small boats so that you do not feel over croweded on board or in the water.
But we do need a minimum of SIX customers for a trip to take place.
Can we go onto the islands?
That’s a firm no. No one is allowed onto the islands as they are pest free and protected by law. The only people to visit the islands are the Department of Conservation who conduct annual checks of the predator traps.
Do I need to be a good swimmer to visit the Poor Knights Islands?
Well if you wish to get into the water, then you should be able to swim. However there are buoyancy aids that can help you float and with the aid of some light fins, mask and snorkel, you can still get to enjoy the marine reserve with some guidance from our team.
What does it mean to be a Marine Reserve versus a Rahui
- Rāhui: A traditional Māori temporary prohibition placed by mana whenua to restrict access or gathering in an area. It focuses on the spiritual and physical restoration of an ecosystem (mauri) to allow stocks to replenish for future harvesting.
- Marine Reserve: A legally enforced, permanent “no-take” zone established by the government under the Marine Reserves Act 1971. It focuses purely on long-term biodiversity protection and scientific study, with no intention of reopening the area to fishing.