Explore the Best Dive Sites in the Cook Islands
Top Dive Sites in the Cook Islands: Where to Dive
Mushroom Forest
Description: A coral area featuring mushroom-shaped bommies, frequented by eagle rays.
Depth range: 16 m – 24 m
Experience level: Open Water +
Mataora Wreck
Description: A sunken cargo vessel with diverse marine life, including lionfish.
Depth range: 12 m – 20 m
Experience level: All levels
Swiss Reef
Description: A beautiful coral garden, home to Spanish Dancer nudibranchs and morays.
Depth range: 12 m – 20 m
Experience level: All levels
Sand River
Description: A sandy “river” with coral on the sides, offering views of sharks and reef fish.
Depth range: 14 m – 30 m+
Experience level: All levels
Jade Reef
Description: A bommie-laden site with overhangs and abundant sharks.
Depth range: 16 m – 26 m
Experience level: Advanced Open Water +
Matavera Drop-Off
Description: A dramatic drop-off with reef fish and sharks.
Depth range: 16 m – 30 m+
Experience level: Advanced Open Water +
Ngatangiia Drop-Off
Description: Coral bommies and drop-offs with a variety of fish species.
Depth range: 18 m – 30 m
Experience level: Advanced Open Water +
Avana Passage
Description: A broad sandy passage with large coral formations and a drop-off.
Depth range: 12 m – 20 m
Experience level: All levels
Avaavaroa Passage
Description: Fast-moving water with sharks and turtles in the current.
Depth range: 8 m – 30 m
Experience level: Experienced divers only
Avaavaroa Drop-Off
Description: A deep, steep drop-off with pelagic fish and rays.
Depth range: 18 m – 30 m+
Experience level: Advanced Open Water +
Papua Passage
Description: A natural opening in the reef, home to eagle rays and varied marine life.
Depth range: 8 m – 22 m
Experience level: All levels
Rutaki Passage
Description: Steep walls and bowls to explore, with a challenge for entering the passage.
Depth range: 10 m – 20 m
Experience level: Experienced divers only
Rutaki Drop-Off
Description: A dramatic drop-off, often with schools of Barracuda and hunters.
Depth range: 18 m – 30 m+
Experience level: Advanced Open Water +
Rarotongan
Description: A reef dive near The Rarotongan Resort with exciting currents.
Depth range: 18 m – 26 m
Experience level: Advanced Open Water +
The Tunnel
Description: A cavern-like dive site with swim-throughs and vibrant coral gardens.
Depth range: 14 m – 25 m
Experience level: Open Water +
Te Ava Nui
Description: A deep reef drop-off with dramatic wall diving and large fish schools.
Depth range: 18 m – 30 m+
Experience level: Advanced Open Water +
Bert’s Reef
Description: Known for clear water and abundant marine life, including rays and turtles.
Depth range: 12 m – 22 m
Experience level: Open Water +
Eagle Ray Reef
Description: Famous for sightings of eagle rays, manta rays, and various reef sharks.
Depth range: 16 m – 24 m
Experience level: Open Water +
Aitutaki Lagoon
Description: A shallow reef system, ideal for beginners with coral gardens and gentle currents.
Depth range: 6 m – 18 m
Experience level: Beginner to Advanced
One Foot Island
Description: A pristine reef in Aitutaki, rich with soft corals and schools of fish.
Depth range: 6 m – 15 m
Experience level: Open Water +
Rarotonga Drop-Off
Description: Steep walls and dramatic underwater topography, home to pelagics like tuna.
Depth range: 18 m – 35 m+
Experience level: Advanced Open Water +
Takitumu Reef
Description: A shallow reef, ideal for relaxed dives, rich with soft corals and tropical fish.
Depth range: 8 m – 18 m
Experience level: Open Water +
Eagle Reef
Description: Known for frequent eagle ray sightings and dramatic coral formations.
Depth range: 15 m – 25 m
Experience level: Open Water +
The Wall
Description: A vertical drop, often frequented by larger pelagics like sharks and barracuda.
Depth range: 18 m – 30 m
Experience level: Advanced Open Water +
Palmerston Atoll
Description: A remote site offering unique underwater landscapes with clear water and corals.
Depth range: 10 m – 35 m+
Experience level: Advanced divers only
The Wreck of the Titi
Description: A sunken schooner near Aitutaki with vibrant coral growth and abundant marine life.
Depth range: 12 m – 22 m
Experience level: All levels
Muri Lagoon
Description: A shallow lagoon with soft coral gardens, ideal for relaxed dives and snorkelers.
Depth range: 6 m – 15 m
Experience level: Beginner to Open Water
Takitumu Lagoon
Description: A calm site with clear waters and rich marine biodiversity, popular with divers.
Depth range: 6 m – 18 m
Experience level: Open Water +
The Aquarium
Description: Known for its crystal-clear water and abundant tropical fish, perfect for beginners.
Depth range: 8 m – 15 m
Experience level: Beginner to Open Water
Muri Reef
Description: A reef just off Muri Beach, home to a variety of reef fish and soft coral.
Depth range: 6 m – 20 m
Experience level: Open Water +
Ootu Reef
Description: A rich coral reef located off Aitutaki with vibrant fish life and shallow waters.
Depth range: 10 m – 18 m
Experience level: Open Water +
Aitutaki Lagoon Coral Garden
Description: A shallow coral garden with calm conditions, ideal for both divers and snorkelers.
Depth range: 5 m – 15 m
Experience level: Beginner to Advanced
Arorangi Reef
Description: Located near Arorangi Beach, this site features a mix of coral formations and sandy areas.
Depth range: 10 m – 18 m
Experience level: Open Water +
O'Conner Reef
Description: A reef located just off Rarotonga’s shore, perfect for an easy dive with great coral coverage.
Depth range: 8 m – 20 m
Experience level: Open Water +
Coral Gardens
Description: A popular shallow dive site, rich with soft corals and home to various tropical fish species.
Depth range: 6 m – 12 m
Experience level: Beginner to Open Water
Aitutaki Atoll
Description: A large lagoon with clear waters, perfect for exploring coral gardens and marine life.
Depth range: 8 m – 20 m
Experience level: Open Water +
Black Rock Reef
Description: Known for its stunning visibility and abundant marine life, including barracuda.
Depth range: 18 m – 30 m
Experience level: Advanced Open Water +
Rarotonga North Reef
Description: A well-preserved reef, ideal for divers wanting to see large schools of fish.
Depth range: 15 m – 25 m
Experience level: Open Water +
Avaavaroa Reef
Description: A dramatic reef site with steep walls and clear water, often frequented by pelagic fish.
Depth range: 20 m – 35 m+
Experience level: Advanced divers only
Avarua Reef
Description: A reef near the main port of Rarotonga with excellent coral and fish diversity.
Depth range: 10 m – 22 m
Experience level: Open Water +
Muri Lagoon Coral Gardens
Description: Known for its calm, shallow waters, perfect for novice divers and snorkelers alike.
Depth range: 6 m – 10 m
Experience level: Beginner to Open Water
Palmerston Atoll Reef
Description: A remote reef system offering pristine waters and an opportunity for advanced divers to explore untouched underwater landscapes.
Depth range: 15 m – 30 m+
Experience level: Advanced Open Water +
Tungaru Reef
Description: Rich in marine life with vibrant corals and schools of tropical fish.
Depth range: 12 m – 20 m
Experience level: Open Water +
Vaka Reef
Description: A deeper site with diverse marine species and vibrant coral formations.
Depth range: 18 m – 30 m
Experience level: Advanced Open Water +
