New Zealand Spearfishing Trip
New Zealand Spearfishing Trip
Salty Pilgrims Freediving
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A small-group spearfishing expedition on New Zealand's Coromandel coast, for water people wanting to sharpen their skills, dive some of the most alive and stunning waters on earth, and share incredible experiences with others who love the ocean.
Join us for a week of spearfishing and freediving the Alderman and Mercury Islands, places so overwhelmingly full of fish and sea life you have to see them to believe it.
You'll spend four full days at the islands targeting NZ kingfish, snapper, crayfish and boarfish, drift through a marine reserve where snapper come right up to your mask, and stand every chance of crossing paths with pilot whales, orca, manta rays, dolphins, and possibly yellowfin tuna.
This is not a typical spearfishing trip. It's an immersive experience that's about so much more than hunting fresh seafood. In a group of just six divers, you'll learn from experienced waterpeople, become a better all-round underwater hunter, and come away with more confidence than ever and plenty of stories to tell.
Our guides know these waters well, and our professional underwater photographer will be in the water with you, capturing your moments throughout the trip.
Back on land, our luxury accommodation for the week overlooks the very islands we're diving. A private chef prepares the day's catch and walks you through her process, evenings hold spearfishing and freediving workshops, and one rest day is saved for exploring the Coromandel's hidden gems and best local food.
We have been planning this trip for over a year, and we believe this will be an experience you'll hold with you for the rest of your life. We can't wait!
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Dates
Trip 1: 5th-11th March, 2027
Trip 2: 14th-20th March, 2027 -
Location
Hahei, The Coromandel - North Island
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Where to fly into
Auckland Airport
Arrival date: by 5th March before 3pm or 14th March by 3pm
Departure date: 11th March anytime or 20th March anytime
From there, pickup a hire car and drive 2 hours to Hahei, in the Coromandel
Car hire cost - from $29 AUD per day -
Cost of trip
$500 Deposit to secure your spot on the trip
6 people max on the trips
✓ Single bed – $6,200 AUD (Balance after deposit: $5,700)
✓ Shared queen bed in a private room – $6,400 AUD (Balance after deposit: $5,900) -
Accommodation
Our own private luxury villa, overlooking the Islands we will be diving at - Welcome to the Popadich House, Hahei
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Weather
March is the best month for spearfishing in New Zealand. Typically this is the month with the bluest and warmest water, low rainfall, light winds and is very very fishy!
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Food
Enjoy 3 healthy, fresh meals each day -cooked by our in house private chef. We will be eating the seafood we catch each day, fresh from the ocean to our table.
On the rest day from diving we will be eating out at our favourite spots in the Coromandel -
Freediving Ability
You must have experience freediving. While a freediving course isn't essential, we highly recommend taking a course before the trip. If you can dive to 10 metres at a minimum, you will have a much better experience!
Our freediving instructor guides will be in the water with you at all times to help out! -
Spearfishing
All spearfishing abilities are welcome, however we recommend having some experience before coming! You will be put into small groups of 2 or 3 divers to 1 spearfishing guide.
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Getting around
You must hire a car in Auckland upon arrival. This is so you have your own means to get around as there's so much to explore, and this gives you freedom throughout the week.
Car sharing is an option - we will have a group chat months before the trip so you can organise this with your fellow dive buddies.
Inclusions
✓ 6 nights Luxury Accomodation - Ocean Views
✓ 4 full days of spearfishing and freediving at world class islands- the Mercury Islands and the Alderman Islands
✓ Guided Spearfishing by very experienced freediving instructors and spearfishing guides with a guest to guide ratio of either 3:1 or 2:1! (Small groups)
✓ Private Chef cooked breakfasts, lunches and dinners - cooking classic Kiwi Kai Moana (seafood) caught by you fresh each day. Our meals will be a mixture of crayfish, Kingfish, sashimi platters and much more. Food every day but the rest day is included
✓ Your catch each day will be filleted, vac sealed and stored for you to take back home to Australia (or NZ). There's an option for this to be posted to your home address too (additional cost)
✓ Spearfishing Workshops & video analysis run by our highly experienced Freediving Instructors who have years of experience Spearfishing in New Zealand
✓ Professional Underwater photos & videos of you diving! This includes a photo package of the whole week at the end of the trip
✓ Fishing (for those wanting a break on the boat)
✓ Private Boat Trips & Small Group Sizes (6 guests) 2 in water spearfishing guides, a skipper and an underwater photographer - you will have plenty of opportunities for some dream fish
Your Day By Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in The Coromandel
Your adventure begins in Auckland, where you'll pick up your hire car and drive 2.5 hours to our breathtaking accommodation for the week. When you arrive, we'll welcome you with a drink and a nutritious meal, run through the plan for the week, get our dive gear ready, and introduce you to your fellow dive buddies!
Day 2 - Spearfishing Mercury Islands
After a sunrise coffee and a nourishing breakfast overlooking the ocean, we'll drive 15 minutes up the road to where our boat for the week will be waiting to pick us up.
From here, we'll head offshore to dive at several locations around the Mercury Islands, targeting different fish species and crayfish throughout the day and breaking for lunch in a protected bay.
We'll be home in time for a sunset drink on the deck, a delicious meal, and a spearfishing workshop for anyone interested.
Day 3 - Spearfishing Alderman Islands
This day we will be exploring a different group of Islands, The Alderman Islands. These islands are made up of eroded remnants of lava domes, formed millions of years ago. Diving here feels as if you're stepping back in time, and we will be diving various locations around the islands over the next 2 days for Kingfish, Snapper, Boarfish and Crayfish.
Returning for sunset drinks on the deck at home!
There will be a surprise guest visiting the house, to give a demonstration on Gyotaku.
Day 4 - Cathedral Cove Trip & Pizza Night
Today we take a quick break from diving to recharge and explore the beautiful Coromandel coastline.
You're free to do whatever you'd like, but we'll offer these options as a group:
- Surfing
- A morning walk to Cathedral Cove beach, followed by breakfast at one of our favourite cafes
- Pizza night out at Luke's Kitchen
Day 5 - Spearfishing Mercury Islands
A similar day to our first, but diving different locations around the Mercury Islands (they're big islands!).
In the evening, enjoy a drink at home as we look back over footage and stories from our days out. Sashimi platter and fresh seafood for dinner.
Day 6 - Spearfishing Castle Island
Our last full day spearfishing! We'll start by checking out Castle Island for a dive on the way over to the Alderman Islands.
Castle Island rises straight out of the ocean from an 80m+ drop-off, and is known to hold some incredible fish, one of those places where anything can pop up.
Lunch will be in a protected bay at the Islands.
After a full day on the water, we'll head home to celebrate with drinks, a sashimi platter, and a seafood dinner, a feast of our catch!
Day 7 - Departure Day
We'll enjoy one last hearty breakfast together before saying our goodbyes, and packing up to head out around 10am.
Accommodation
We're so excited to welcome you to our home in New Zealand for the trip: a private luxury stay tucked into the hills, just minutes from the stunning Hahei Beach. We think it's the perfect base to experience the Coromandel and Kiwi life, and we couldn't imagine a better place to relax after our big days of diving.
Each morning you'll wake to a sunlit, open-plan living area that spills onto a large ocean-facing deck, with views over native bush to Shakespeare Cliff and Lonely Bay.
The house has a full kitchen, laundry, and a sheltered courtyard that's perfect for a quiet dinner outside. Four spacious bedrooms sleep eight, and there are two bathrooms, including an ensuite.
It sits on eight private acres with mown paths to wander, plus six friendly resident sheep who love a pat. Secluded and peaceful, it's the ideal place to unwind after spending our days exploring the islands.
About Spearfishing
Who this trip is for:
This isn't your typical spearfishing trip. It's for those wanting to immerse themselves in one of the most biodiverse and spectacular diving locations on the planet. It is raw, untouched, and teeming with life.
When we say teaming with life - you won't quite believe it until you see it.
This is a trip with no ego, where you come with an open mind and an eagerness to explore, learn, and where the catch is an added bonus. It's for divers who can roll with the punches of mother nature, be happy for other people's success, and stay conscious and safe in the water at all times.
In small groups, you'll have the opportunity to see and shoot some incredible fish while respecting the ocean, taking only what we need to eat, plus a few extra fish to take home to share with your friends and family (wherever home is) if you wish!
What you'll get out of this trip:
You'll leave a more confident, safer, and capable spearo, with plenty of stories to tell from the week!
New Zealand's waters are a place where anything can pop up at any moment. There's a high chance we will see at least one of the following species, if not more!
Pilot whales, orca, dolphins, manta rays, work ups like you've never seen before, yellowfin tuna, and marlin.
Trip FAQ’s
What wetsuit thickness is best?
The water temps in March range from 17 -20 degrees
We recommend a 5mm open cell, 2 piece wetsuit with a hood
Do I have to bring my own dive weights?
No, we will supply these for you. Bring your weight belt
How do I best travel with dive gear/spearfishing equipment?
Best option is to use a Sportstube to carry your gear. You can also use a PVC pipe with ends on them, or a surfboard bag.
What spearfishing experience should I have?
This trip is best suited to those with some spearfishing experience already. We will be hunting in depths from 4-15m.
If you don't have too much experience, our expert guides will help show you what to do.
What fish will we be targeting?
Yellowtail Kingfish and Snapper are the two main species we will be targeting. March is incredible for both of these fish. Boarfish, John Dory, Trevally and Crayfish are also target species.
Cancellation and Refunds Policy?
The $500 deposit is non-refundable and counts towards your booking.
If you cancel within 90 days before the trip start date, we cannot refund you and are unable to transfer the amount paid onto a future trip or course. You are able to transfer your ticket onto someone else, however you must organise this yourself.
We recommend getting travel cancellation insurance upon booking your spot on the trip, to save you any financial hardships if you need to cancel your trip. You can get travel insurance that covers this.
Exclusions
Flights to Auckland
Alcohol
Car Rental
Travel Insurance
Food on the 1 rest day from diving - we will be showing you around our favourite eats on the Coromandel!