5 Best Dive Shops & Operators in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

Last Updated: 9 June, 2025

Scuba Diving Tours in the Cook Islands

Boasting amazing lagoon and open ocean dives, the Cook Islands is a dream destination for scuba diving. But who should you dive with in the Cook Islands? There are dive shops on Rarotonga and Aitutaki, as well as freediving tours on Rarotonga.

We cover them all in this list of the best dive shops and operators in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands!

1. Bubbles Below / Dive Aitutaki

Bubbles Below, also known as Dive Aitutaki, offers year-round diving experiences in the stunning waters of Aitutaki. This boutique dive operation specialises in small-group and personalised adventures, with peak activity from April to November.

Dive with graceful turtles and majestic eagle rays (best seen in June and July), or opt for their popular Discover Scuba Diving sessions if you’re new to the underwater world. Affiliated with SSI, Bubbles Below provides a range of options from recreational dives to whale swimming during the seasonal window.

Their two-tank dives include full equipment, making it hassle-free for experienced divers. Whether you prefer a private or shared tour, all experiences come with refreshments and the opportunity to explore Aitutaki’s vibrant marine life.

Book your experience with Dive Aitutaki for an unforgettable underwater adventure in one of the Cook Islands’ most beautiful lagoons. Check out some of the awesome dive sites they visit in The Best Scuba Diving in Aitutaki: Top Places to Scuba Dive.

Location: Arutanga Harbour, Arutanga, Aitutaki.

5 Best Dive Shops & Operators in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

2. Adventure Cook Islands

Adventure Cook Islands, nestled in Aroa Beach, Rarotonga, is a premier dive centre and watersports hub catering to all levels of aquatic enthusiasts. They offer a diverse array of experiences, from scuba trips and refresher dives to introductory lagoon and boat dives.

What sets them apart? Their small group policy (maximum four to five divers) ensures personalised attention. Moreover, they keep their custom-built dive boat on a trailer, providing access to all dive sites around the island.

For the tech-savvy divers, they’re the only dive shop in the country offering technical diving, rebreather training, and a Nitrox membrane system offering Nitrox fills at a low cost. Fancy a snorkel instead? Their outer reef trips run for 2 to 2 hrs 30 mins, perfect for non-divers wanting to explore the underwater world.

With PADI, SSI, SDI, and TDI courses available, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to dive training options.

Location: Main Road, Aroa, southwestern Rarotonga. Near The Rarotongan Beach Resort.

3. Pacific Divers

The longest-running dive operation on Rarotonga, Pacific Divers is led by a qualified marine scientist, offering fun and educational tours, as well as an eco-friendly dive experience. The PADI 5* dive shop offers all the usual open water courses, ongoing training, and, of course, a variety of dives for qualified divers.

There are excellent dives to be had both within and outside the lagoon, taking you out on a comfortable, purpose-built dive boat that is fully shaded and manned, even when divers are in the water. They also offer exciting night dives, which are highly recommended.

Learn more about getting your dive qualification with Pacific Divers in Learn to Dive in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands: Where to Get Your Scuba Diving Certification.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Muri on the east side of Rarotonga.

4. Dive Rarotonga

Dive Rarotonga offers an unforgettable underwater adventure in the crystal-clear waters of Rarotonga. This highly qualified PADI 5 dive shop provides affordable two-tank dive trips and gear hire, perfect for both novice bubblemakers and seasoned divers alike.

Their custom-built dive boat is a diver’s dream, designed to enhance comfort and safety with life jackets, oxygen, first aid equipment and EPIRB on board.

What sets Dive Rarotonga apart is their commitment to safety. A fully qualified skipper always mans the boat during your dives, ensuring peace of mind as you explore the vibrant marine life. With moorings at several exciting sites around the outer perimeter of the lagoon, you’ll discover Rarotonga’s underwater wonders with ease.

Whether you’re taking your first plunge or looking to expand your diving skills, Dive Rarotonga has you covered. Get ready to immerse yourself in an aquatic paradise! Check out some of the amazing dive sites visited in The Best Scuba Diving in Rarotonga: Top 25 Places to Scuba Dive.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Arorangi on the west side of Rarotonga. They are the A-frame building next to the Crown Beach Resort & Spa.

5. Go Local Cook Islands

Finally, while not a scuba diving operation, Go Local Cook Islands offers awesome freediving tours. Forget the clunky gear and head out with a snorkel, mask and fins on their “Over the Reef Freediving Tour“.

The three-hour experience includes all the freediving gear, raw and edited underwater photography and local refreshments. You’ll be taken by boat over the reef and into the open ocean with guides, a boat and paddleboards on hand for extra safety.

Location: Find their beach setup at the Avaavaroa Passage, Vaimaanga, available Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. They are also at the Punanga Nui Market on Saturday and at the Muri Night Market on a Sunday.

More About Dive Shops and Operators in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

Now that you know all of the dive shops in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, here’s more advice to plan the perfect dive:

Spice up your trip to the Cook Islands with more than just scuba diving! Get inspiration from the 101 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands: The Ultimate List.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across the Cook Islands and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Statistics Office (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Transport (Transport operators and licenses - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])

At Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About the Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, a local government body representing the tourism industry. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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