A scuba diver has been found dead by his dive partner off the Coromandel Peninsula.

The Whitianga man was out diving at Opito Bay, north of Whitianga, on Wednesday afternoon.

A Whitianga man has died while diving at Opito Bay in the Coromandel on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Google Maps.

Senior Sergeant Andrew O'Reilly, of Waikato police, says the pair had been out on a boat diving for scallops.

His dive partner surfaced and found the man floating on the surface, O'Reilly says.

'We are still trying to work out if it was a medical incident or a dive related event.”

Members of the local Coastguard responded and were understood to have known the man from the local community.

O'Reilly says police were investigating alongside the Coroner.

'We urge people to remember safe dive practices, ensure you are medically fit to go diving and dive with a partner.”

On Sunday Willie Collins, the cousin of the late Jerry Collins, was pulled from the water off the south coast of Wellington.

The Wellington-based boxing and fitness coach, died while out scuba diving on December 20.

A week before a 45-year-old diver was found dead on the sea floor off the same Wellington coast.

CPR was performed but the diver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Prior to the latest death, police National Dive Squad says seven people had died as a result of diving this year. This included snorkel, scuba or free-diving.

The five year average is five underwater drowning deaths per year.

'These are hugely tragic events for family and friends arising out of one of favourite pastimes, more so at this time of year and our thoughts go out to all,” Senior Sergeant Bruce Adams, of the Police National Dive Squad, says.

'To avoid these from occurring we all need to take time to consider all activities around water this coming festive season, even if it is just ensuring we are actively watching and supervising those in the water.”

So far this year 91 people have drowned in New Zealand waters. At the same time last year the drowning toll was 85.

Adams says it was often a combination of factors that lead to the drownings.

'The onus is on the diver themselves to recognise, maintain or manage these issues to ensure a safe diving experience.”

Common factors in dive fatalities include: using all the of the available air supply, exceeding safe ascent rate or dive times, or carrying excessive weight and becoming negatively buoyant.

Conducting unsafe diving activities and failing to monitor the weather were also factors.

'Our message to all water sports enthusiasts this summer is to think safety before you put your boat or yourself in the water.

'Be prepared and keep an eye on the weather and water conditions. If it's not looking good or you're not sure then put the gear away and have a break.”

- Stuff