The Best Scuba Diving in Rarotonga: Top 25 Places to Scuba Dive

See a perfectly preserved anchor on the seabed in front of Trader Jack’s; not from the nearby Maitai Shipwreck as one might expect, nor from the schooner Edna which later sank in Atiu, but from a much older shipwreck. The dive site is named after the "Edna's Anchor" in honour of its historical connection to the area.

See the anchor between two coral bommies along with all sorts of colourful reef fish. The dive follows a sandy slope lined with coral running alongside.

Most of the dive is around 12-14 m (13.1-15.3 yards), although certified divers can descend deeper depending on their qualification and conditions. At the far end, the sandy slope drops dramatically to around 65 m (71.1 yards), so there is certainly no shortage of blue beneath you!

When we dived here with Dive Rarotonga, we reached a maximum depth of 19.5 m (21.3 yards) during a 51-minute dive and spotted everything from butterflyfish and parrotfish to triggerfish, trumpetfish and wrasse.

Depth: 12-40m (13.1-43.7 yards)
Coast: North coast

Although there's no gold to be found here (Goldmine is named after the jewellery shop that the dive site sits across from in Avarua), you'll still feel rich after an experience diving with turtles and alongside vibrant coral bommies.

Depth: 15-25m (16.4-27.3 yards)
Coast: North coast

Known by many names, Labyrinth is a shallow dive site featuring a fascinating network of caverns, tunnels, and swim-throughs beneath the surf zone, stretching from the airport runway to Black Rock. Although the dive reaches only about 10 m (10.9 yards) in depth, it should only be attempted in relatively calm sea conditions for safety.

As you explore the labyrinthine passages, keep an eye out for lionfish, shellfish, and crayfish.

Depth: 10 m (10.9 yards)
Coast: West coast

There are many exciting wreck dives in Rarotonga, with the MV Mataora Wreck arguably being one of the best.

This cargo schooner was purposely sunk to create an artificial reef, though, it got a little scattered in the process when it actually sunk away from its planned position. Nevertheless, you can make the most of it by exploring the surrounding hard corals and investigating its bow and stern, which were originally part of a 45 m (49.2 yards)-long ship.

The site reaches a maximum depth of around 19 m (20.8 yards), making it an accessible wreck dive for suitably qualified divers.

We dived the Mataora with Dive Rarotonga, reaching 19.4 m (21.2 yards) on a 46-minute dive. Along with exploring the wreck itself, we encountered a colourful mix of reef fish including anemonefish, butterflyfish, groupers, Moorish idols, parrotfish, surgeonfish, triggerfish and wrasse.

Depth: 10-25 m (10.9-27.3 yards)
Coast: North coast

One of the easiest and best dives on the south side of Rarotonga, the Papua Passage offers an excellent chance of seeing eagle rays in large numbers, as well as turtles.

Depth: 12-17 m (13.1-18.6 yards)
Coast: South coast

Located right in front of the also popular snorkelling site, Black Rock features a series of reef plateaus rising from the sea bed. Dive among healthy coral bommies on this dive with interesting swim-throughs.

Depth: 12-28 m (13.1-30.6 yards)
Coast: West coast

One of the best of many drop-off dives on Rarotonga, the Avaavaroa Drop-Off is an impressive dive where you swim along a sand channel to the drop-off into the deep blue along with amazing sharks, eagle rays, schools of tuna, lionfish, parrotfish and much more!

Depth: 16-40m (17.5-43.7 yards)
Coast: South coast

Located on Rarotonga’s east coast, Matavera Wall is a fun and relatively easy drop-off dive, starting at around 12 m (13.1 yards) and descending to about 35 m (38.3 yards) before sloping off into the deep blue. Keep an eye out for moray eels, scorpionfish, turtles, and more.

While the East Coast has fewer dive sites compared to the North and South, it offers spectacular drop-offs and vibrant marine life. Conditions here can often be rough, but when the sea is calm, east coast dives are a favourite among experienced divers.

You can also pair this dive with nearby Matavera Point, which drops even further to around 40 m (43.7 yards).

Depth: 12-30m (13.1-32.8 yards)
Coast: East coast

Another wreck purposely sunk to create an interesting dive site and artificial reef, the FV Maritime Reefer is scattered all over the place due to storm damage, but you can still make out the stern, rudder and propeller. All the usual marine suspects are here to see, including lionfish, moray eel and the occasional shark.

Depth: 8-12 m (8.7-13.1 yards)
Coast: West coast

A dive site in Rarotonga enjoyed by all, Sunset Reef or Sunset Lava Tubes is a large coral shelf sitting 5 m (5.5 yards) to 18 m (19.7 yards) below the surface. There are lava tunnels and swim-throughs to explore where you'll find nudibranchs, lionfish, scorpionfish, anemones and cowrie shells.

Depth: 5-25 m (5.5-27.3 yards)
Coast: West coast