About Us
We love scuba diving - here in Wellington, around New Zealand and overseas! All our staff are passionate about diving - whether teaching, exploring wrecks & caves, observing marine life or taking photos.
As a PADI 5 Star IDC Centre we run courses from Open Water Diver right through to Specialty Instructor Ratings with recreational courses designed to suit you.
Our store offers a complete range of dive equipment for everyone who wants to enjoy the water - swimming, snorkeling, spearfishing, scuba diving and other water activities.
Here at Dive HQ Wellington we have on site tank filling and cylinder testing facilities, which also enables us to perform any gas blending requirements you may have. We have a servicing workshop as well as two full time technicians on hand to service and repair your equipment who are more than happy to offer professional advice on your equipment requirements.
Claire
Training Manager/PADI Course Director
Claire's first dive was in a concrete pool in 1996 and she has been hooked on diving ever since. She completed the first Tertiary Scuba Course back in 1997 and has travelled and worked in the industry full time for over 20 years. After working in both Israel and Egypt she returned to NZ in 2001 and started teaching Instructors with the Diploma in Professional Diving Course. After a break, working in Australia and Vanuatu she returned to NZ and opened Dive HQ Wellington in 2005.
As Training Manager & Wellington's only Gold rated PADI Course Director Claire organises the recreational dive courses as well as planning dive club activities so she can escape the office.
Paddy
Retail Manager /PADI IDC Staff Instructor
Paddy started his career as a PADI instructor in 2011 when he completed his PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) here at Dive HQ. After spending a few years working here in Wellington, he traveled overseas and had the opportunity to dive some of the worlds most incredible locations. Paddy eventually settled in London where he continued working as an Instructor for two years. Having had his fill of cold water diving he started working in the Philippines. But now he's back! Since he's been gone Paddy has completed technical dive, and freediving training, equipment servicing clinics as well as being able to teach a variety of new specialties.
Alan
PADI Divemaster
Alan started diving in 2014. He was a regular club diver and is now running and organising club dives and events. After diving with a lot of our new dive club members he decided to complete his Divemaster course to gain new skills. Alan spends a lot of his time underwater with his camera capturing some amazing encounters, from rare local species to sharks.
FAQ's
What dive courses do you offer?
We offer a full range of PADI certified programs – from Open Water Diver through to Rescue Diver, Divemaster and Instructor. We also provide speciality courses like photography, wreck, night, deep, drysuit, enriched air and more, all taught at our on-site pool and local dive sites.
Can I join a local dive trip or dive club?
Absolutely! Our Dive Club Wellington heads out around five times per week on local shore dives, night dives, scallop & BBQ dives, and more. We list upcoming events and trips such as Poor Knights, Kaikoura, Fiordland, and Fiji liveaboards.
What spearfishing gear and local tips do you offer?
We stock a wide range of Wettie spearguns (carbon‑fibre, roller, reel) and accessories. Our staff offer tailored advice on clear local dive sites like Taputeranga Marine Reserve, where cray, butterfish, blue moki, snapper, and kingfish are common.
Do you provide equipment hire, fills, and servicing?
Yes! We offer:
- Gear hire at competitive rates & discounts for club dives
- Scuba cylinder fills: 12 L at $12 ($105 for 10) / 15 L at $15 ($120 for 10)
- Equipment servicing (annual or warranty requirements)
- Cylinder testing
Where are you located and when are you open?
We’re located at 14 Waione Street, Petone, Wellington.
Opening hours:
Mon–Fri: 8:30 AM–6 PM
Sat/Sun/Public Holidays: 9 AM–4 PM (closed Christmas, Boxing Day, 1–2 Jan, Good Fri,
Easter Sun, ANZAC Day)
What marine life and dive sites can I expect in NZ?
NZ diving showcases rich biodiversity with sites like Poor Knights, Rainbow Warrior, Fiordland, Coromandel, Bay of Islands, Kaikoura, and more. Expect marine life including scorpionfish, octopus, rays, sharks, whales and kelp forests. North Island waters average 20–22 °C in summer; deeper dives/further south require 5–7 mm suits or drysuits.
Do you offer freediving or breath‑hold training?
Yes! We teach Breath‑Hold Freediving training alongside our traditional scuba specialities.
Ask us about upcoming courses and gear options.
How can I get gear advice and purchase equipment?
Our on-site crew are seasoned divers and instructors with global experience. They’ll help you choose gear ranging from BCs, regulators, wetsuits, fins, masks, tanks, spearfishing kits and technical gear.
How do I book a course, club dive, or trip?
Bookings can be made via our website, by phone at 04 568 5028, or by visiting our Petone store.
Subscribe to our newsletter for dive club notices or check our online calendar/blog for the latest events.
