VSAG New Zealand Trip: Tutukaka & Lermontov Wreck

Details

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Price: From AUD 3815 PP

Travel dates: 07 Mar 26 to 14 Mar 26

Book between: 16 Jun 25 and 12 Sep 25

Add on a self-drive tour of NZ's south island and spend 3 days diving the Lermontov Wreck

New Zealand’s Poor Knights dive trip with optional South Island and Lermontov wreck extension

The Poor Knights offer a fantastic variety of diving. The volcanic terrain has lots of caves and swim-thru’s to explore, with a wide variety of marine life thanks to the Auckland Current, which links to the EAC, bringing a mix of tropical and sub-tropical species.

There are two possible extensions. Add on a 7-night South Island Tour, and then a 4-night trip diving the wreck of the Mikhael Lermontov in Marlborough Sounds.

To apply for a place, click the ‘Sign up here’ button above and enter trip code: VSAG2603

If you would like to book the extensions, please note this in the ‘Essential Information’ section of the Booking Form.

The main Dive! Tutukaka trip (7-14 March 2026)

• 7 nights twin share accommodation at Lodge 9 Tutukaka
• Daily breakfast and lunch on dive days.
• 10 boat dives including tanks and weights
• 7 days car hire
• Return Economy flights Melbourne to Auckland with 23KG luggage

Extension 1: South Island Tour (14-21 March 2026)

Extend your stay to tour New Zealand’s scenic South Island and fly back to Melbourne from Christchurch.

Extension 2: Lermontov Wreck Tour – AUD 1540 PP twin/double share (21-26 March 2026)

At dawn on the morning of February 16, 1986, the luxury Russian liner Mikhail Lermontov steamed past the bush-covered hills of Tory Channel towards Picton, on the last leg of a two-week cruise. The ship never made it out of the Marlborough Sounds. That night, she lay in 30 metres of water in Port Gore, her hull sliced open like a tin of herrings. Miraculously, all but one of her 738 passengers and crew were rescued in a Dunkirk-style operation involving dozens of vessels ranging from fishing boats to an inter-island ferry. Read this fascinating story in NZ Geographic.

• 4 nights accommodation at Lermontov Lodge
• 3 days of two tank dives on The Mikhail Lermontov
• 1 night transit accommodation in Wellington
• Flights returning from Wellington to Melbourne including domestic flight Auckland to Christchurch

Booking Terms

• Deposit due now AUD 2000
• Balance payment due 07 January 2026

FX CAVEAT:
Elements of this trip are purchased in NZD and trip price may be revised if the rate changes by 3% or more from 1.01

AIRFARES:
Airfare are instant purchase and prices can change until deposit is paid which will affect the package price.

CHANGE FEES:
Any changes requested after the initial deposit incur an AUD 250 change fee. Any changes resulting in a reduction of invoice value of more than 50% are considered a cancellation.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
All payments are non-refundable.

INSURANCE:
We strongly recommend all travelers have appropriate travel and dive insurance to protect them in the event of cancellation for unforeseen reasons. We are happy to provide a quote.

Booking Terms