| Cook Islands Diving | | | | lagoon and that of the reefs plus the spectacular |
| Of the 15 islands that make up the Cook Islands, | | | | drop offs of the sea floor. |
| two are known for their diving potential. Rarotonga is | | | | Learning to dive in the Cook Islands |
| the main Cook Islands diving location and at present | | | | Cook Islands diving is perfect for beginners and |
| it has three full time diving operators. Aitutaki is | | | | those that only dive occasionally. There are few |
| located 140 miles north of Rarotonga and has just | | | | challenging sites and all the popular dive sites are |
| one dive operator. The scuba diving and snorkelling | | | | within 25 meters of the surface. Rarotonga alone has |
| around both islands is top quality, and as most of the | | | | over 30 sites to choose from, many of which are |
| dive sites are within 10 minutes of the shoreline there | | | | accessible from the shore. There are three full-time |
| is no wasted travelling time. | | | | diving operators on the island of Rarotonga plus a |
| Diving in Rarotonga | | | | few that only work part-time. |
| Rarotonga is surrounded by a coral reef, however it | | | | The full-time operators all offer trips out to the dive |
| is much more developed on the north side of the | | | | sites and most run scuba diving courses for beginners |
| island. Here you can find a wide selection of reef | | | | as well. Before being allowed to dive in the ocean, |
| dwellers and also species such as turtles, sharks and | | | | divers have to have passed the basic techniques |
| Napoleon Wrasse. The sea life is used to divers being | | | | certificate while on the island or be able to prove |
| present and it not uncommon to be able to get close | | | | they are already qualified. If this basic training is not |
| enough to take decent photographs. As with the | | | | completed then divers are not allowed to use the |
| rest of the island, the sea floor drops sharply just | | | | company equipment for their Cook Islands diving |
| past the reef and the 50m sheer drop is one of the | | | | experience. |
| top attractions of the north side. | | | | Cook Islands diving excursions |
| The south side of the island has a shallow lagoon and | | | | Diving excursions are run year round in virtually any |
| much less coral. The lagoon floor is known for its | | | | weather. The water temperature around the two |
| trench-like passages where sharks, manta rays and | | | | main islands is always warm - 25ºC in July rising |
| turtles dwell during the day. These passages have to | | | | to around 30ºC in December before dropping |
| be reached by boat, however the trip is again only | | | | again - and the average visibility is 30-40m although |
| about 10 minutes long. Just past the small growth of | | | | this often rises to 90m or more. The only weather |
| coral the seafloor plunges in a near-vertical drop | | | | problems that the diving operators ever have is the |
| which is plainly visible through the clear waters. | | | | wind; however they rarely cancel dives because of it |
| In addition to the coral reefs and sheer drops, | | | | - they simply move to a dive site on the other side |
| Rarotonga also has a couple of ship wrecks that are | | | | of the island. |
| suitable for exploring. These used to be one of the | | | | Conclusion |
| main attractions of Cook Islands diving but a recent | | | | When compared to some of the other islands in the |
| cyclone has left them badly damaged and slightly | | | | Pacific, the Cook Islands diving is quite basic. Having |
| dangerous in some areas. | | | | said this, the sea life is some of the best around and |
| Diving around Aitutaki | | | | the sea floor drop offs are hard to find elsewhere. |
| Diving around Aitutaki is very similar to diving around | | | | The diving industry has been established on the |
| Rarotonga except that you get the best of both | | | | islands since the early 1970s and so anyone choosing |
| worlds. Aitutaki has a large lagoon and a number of | | | | to dive during their holidays are ensured the best |
| small islets, all of which are surrounded by a thriving | | | | dive sites around. |
| coral reef. The diving here offers the sea life of the | | | | |