The origin of the name ‘Rarotonga’ is still a mystery with some claiming that the volcanic island was named by a Tahitian navigator and others refuting the claim by saying it was named by a Samoan voyager. Despite the confusion that may arise due to the origin of the name, one thing is for sure: Rarotonga stands out above many of the other southern islands due to its lush vegetation, dynamic topography and enticing waters that thrill divers all year round. It is considered the youngest island in the Cook Islands; however, this fact has not minced its fame abroad. This is clearly seen in the number of tourists that visit the sunny island on a yearly basis and also the number of people that have eventually decided to call it their paradise on earth.
Whether for business of pleasure, divers that visit Rarotonga will have the ability to have their cake and eat it so to speak. With water temperatures varying from 23 degrees Celsius to 29 degrees Celsius and visibility of up to 60 feet it is easy to understand why this place is among the most visited diving spots in Cook Islands. No matter the level of expertise in the diving arena, Rarotonga has a dive spot for just about everyone. In addition to this, the many dive sites that are available make it easy for any diver to enjoy him or herself without having to repeat one dive site twice. Despite its fame for reef diving there is also the possibility of cave and wreck diving. Some of the most popular dives in Rarotonga among locals and visitors alike include: Sand River, Paradise Reef, Sunset Reef, Mushroom Forest, and MV Mataora. Let’s take a closer look!
Sand River (46feet-100feet)
This is a sloping sandy reef that has placed Rarotonga on the top of the chart when it comes to beautiful diving spots. Visibility at Sand River is guaranteed for up to 130 feet and divers can play with the marine life or just curiously swim around while they stare in admiration and wonder at the surrounding area. The main attraction at Sand River is the ‘river’ of sloping sand that can be seen from 40-85feet down the reef. The large pelagics that are present also add to the scene making it both lovely and unusual.
Paradise Reef (40feet-79feet)
The name of this dive site is reason enough to believe that it is worth seeing. Paradise Reef is located on the north coast and the large number of fish that swim around freely without a care in the world is the one of the main attractions to see. There are two celebrity fish that have shared the underwater world with numerous divers all year round. The two are affectionately referred to as: 'Monty' and 'Tommy'. There are also swim-throughs that make the whole diving experience a dream come true for most divers. This area does not have strong currents and it can be explored by divers of all levels.
Sunset Reef (20feet–53feet)
It will not take you long to share in the hundreds of wonderful experiences that have been daintily placed in this beautiful reef. The many caverns and swim-throughs that are present make Sunset Reef stand out over other reefs that offer the same untouched scenery. The entrance to the swim-throughs is prestigiously prepared with the presence of curving coral shelves that add more magic and beauty to this picturesque reef. Whether you have seen underwater caves or swim-throughs a hundreds of times before, you will be thrilled with the perfect combination of light, form, perspective and color that have been united to make this diving spot a wonderful area to explore. It is full of exit points and the welcoming light that comes from the surface make it a perfect spot to dive during the day.
Mushroom Forest (59feet-80feet)
White tip sharks and eagle rays can be seen hovering near to this rich coral area that is full of marine life on every corner. Mushroom Forest is perfect for divers of all levels and the mushroomed shaped bommies create the perfect backdrop for lovely pictures and unforgettable diving memories.
MV Mataora (40feet-66feet)
MV Mataora is an artificial reef in 60 feet of water to the north of Rarotonga. The massive structure is covered with different marine life that have come to make the 395hp cargo vessel their home. The rough cyclone forces have broken most of the wreck, but what can still be seen of its 44.25m length and 299 gross tons is certainly worth the visit. She has been laying in Rarotongan since 1990 when she was purchased for $1 by Dive Rarotonga. Since then, lionfish, sharks, and beautiful corals among other types of marine life have united to transform the vessel into a lovely canvas filled with dots of beautiful colors.