Diving Brisbane, NZ, and Fiji August-December, any suggestions?

[slieppman]

Hey,

I'm embarking on a south pacific study abroad/spearfishing/surfing trip in August and would really appreciate some advice on destinations and necessary gear. I'm really open to suggestions on how and where to get some quality pelagics. I'll be studying marine biology at the University of queensland for 3 months.

Here's my itinerary

Brisbane, Australia....................................... august-november
Auckland to Christchurch, New Zealand............ end of november
Nadi, Fiji..................................................... all of december

What fish are in season during these months?
What are some good spots for pelagics near brisbane?
what kind of gear should i be bringing? bungee floatline?
weekend destinations from brisbane?
favorite islands in fiji?

I appreciate your help

-sean

(im planning on bringing my open water gun, 75 ft. float setup, camo lycra skins, the basics)

if you need a dive partner and are around during these times, im definitely down.

 

[Phil C]

Hi there Sean,

For the NZ component suggest you get in touch with Auckland Freediving Club Auckland Freediving Club / Lazy Seals Freediving club Lazy Seals Freediving Club | New Zealand's only freediving club closer to the time.

You will need more than lycra in the water in November. You will be lucky to find 20deg C in northland and further south will be quite a bit colder.

Most people diving in 5mm suits that time of year.

Phil

 

[slieppman]

Thanks for the advice phil, i'll make sure to pack a wettie. So I really want to shoot a big kingie, where would i have the best luck diving?

 

[Phil C]

There are a number of options to look for kingies depending on the water temp (the blue water arrival varies year to year), time and your budget.

My pick would be White Island, Great Barrier Island, Bay of Islands. Mostly these are boat dives, charters are avaialable.

If you have the budget there are some harder to reach, potentially more productive outer reefs such as the Three Kings or Ranfurly Banks. I dont' have experience on these locations though.

There are some shore dive options however Kingies like current so either these are generally not so productive/hard work. As with anything there are exceptions, later in the season Kingies can be found mooching around in the most unlikely places.

Phil

 

[david ennew]

checkout the sunshine coast 100 k north of brisbane there are some terrific dive spots loook up sunreef dive shop as there are spearfisherman i this group .See if you ca get to the gneerings off mooloolaba for some serious fish but there are shallower reefs off yaroomba which is near Coolum .cheers Dave

 

[slieppman]

Thanks Dave, I'll make sure to check out that dive shop and try getting out to those spots.

 

[ReefTroll]

Hi there mate, I'm in Brisbane, as is BennyB. (our resident record free-diver!!)

I can't vouch too much for the north, but check out this site : http://www.divingthegoldcoast.com.au/
It gives a great indication of what you can find and where.

Diving off Cook Island in Tweed (On the Border of New South Wales and Queensland, and only 1+1/4 hours south of Brisbane, I grew up there) is quite good too, and I have also heard Julian Rocks (At Byron Bay) raved about for larger species.

My fave spot for ease of finding a large variety of smaller aquatic life from the shore is in the mouth of the Tweed River too.

 

[slieppman]

Thanks ReefTroll, those maps are really helpful and that website is awesome.

 

[ReefTroll]

You're more than welcome.
I have also heard that stradbroke island has some great marine life. As well as moreton bay, which is my goal to explore this year!