Week Five Chatham Islands’

Hi Friends’

Well it has been quite a while since my last blog post even though I have been wanting to, I have not been able to get the time nor have had any reasonable amount of access to the internet.


When you are planning your trip to the Chatham Islands’ there are a few basics that you really need to bring, no matter if it is winter or summer. First off you need to have a decent amount of warm clothing as even in summer at the Chatham Islands’ it can get pretty cold, especially after the sun sets. The other most important item you can bring is a torch, along with a lot of batteries for it. There is nothing worse than getting stuck somewhere in cold conditions unable to see anything.

The past weeks have had a lot of up and downs as I have been quite homesick missing my awesome family, especially my beautiful wife and daughters. There have been a lot of good times too, as I get to meet new people that are both tourists as well as locals building new friendships.

One of my new friends is Ben; Ben is a pilot for Chatham Airways and I have been fortunate enough to take a quick trip to Pitt Island with him taking stunning photos of both the Chatham Island and Pitt Island coastlines.

Pitt Island is a lot different to Chatham Island as it is higher in altitude with a great deal more bush areas that offer some unique experiences for bird watchers and hunters alike. The most sorts after trophy animals on Pitt Island is the Merino sheep that can have up to 3 and a half turns in their horns. These prized animals truly are prized to a seasoned trophy hunter. The meat of the Merino sheep is beautiful and simply melts in your mouth if it is prepared and cooked properly.

Local tour guide Andy that works for Hotel Chatham and myself will be spending at least a week on Pitt Island late March, hunting as well as video and still shooting with our cameras so we can show you the stunning scenery along with exceptional hunting opportunities that are on offer at Pitt Island.

For more information about Fishing, Diving and Spearfishing at the Chatham Islands please email me paul@diveplanet.co.nz

I am now going to leave you with a few images of the magical Chatham Islands. Next post will be about scenic activities and things to see on the Chatham Islands'

This image below is that of the main Entrance to the lagoon. The entrances opens and closes naturally every 5 years or so but human intervention is sometimes needed to release the waters that at times burst their banks.

Here we are looking at some of the stunning coastline that surrounds the Chatham Islands. On many trips to Pitt Island sharks can be seen from the air as they cruise the coasts.

Overlooking Mangere Island from the southern viewpoint of Pitt Island. The Island in the foreground is known as the Castle.

From an offshore position we are looking back to the main lagoon mouth on Chatham Island

Below we are looking at the great dive location known as the Flower Pot on Pitt Island. Here you can find Paua beds everywhere and in many cases you may walk over them at low tide.

Here we are flying back over the Southern Chatham coast

Mangere Island is a reserve!