Cook Islands

Seasonal visitors to the remote northern atolls such as Palmerston and Suwarrow from August to October, often heard singing underwater.

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)

Graceful rays seen at outer-reef cleaning stations and in current-rich passages, most likely in the dry season.

Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi)

The most common reef shark, patrolling walls and passages across Rarotonga, Aitutaki and the remote atolls.

Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)

Regularly seen foraging on lagoon reefs and resting on shallow coral gardens such as Honeymoon Island.

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

The Cook Islands are a scattered South Pacific paradise of 15 islands, offering an extraordinary range of diving from the accessible walls and wrecks of Rarotonga to the postcard-perfect lagoon of Aitutaki and the utterly remote atolls of the northern group. Rarotonga’s fringing reef delivers dramatic drop-offs such as Wigmore’s Wall, the unique flowing sand of the Avaavaroa Passage, and accessible wrecks like the MV Mataora, while Aitutaki’s lagoon pinnacles and outer-reef walls are among the most beautiful in the Pacific. Beyond the main islands, Atiu, Mangaia, Palmerston, Penrhyn, Suwarrow and the pearl atolls of Manihiki and Rakahanga offer pristine, barely touched reefs reached only by liveaboard or private yacht. Warm, clear water, healthy coral and abundant marine life, from mantas and humpback whales to schooling pelagics and dense shark populations, make the Cook Islands a world-class yet uncrowded diving destination with something for every level of diver.

Liveaboards and private yachts are the only way to reach the remote northern atolls of Penrhyn, Suwarrow and Palmerston, and they offer access to pristine walls, passes and lagoons unreachable from land. Expedition vessels run multi-day northern-group trips, while private sailboats cruise between atolls. Rarotonga and Aitutaki are best dived from land-based resorts.

Muri Beach Club Hotel

Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort

Pacific Resort Rarotonga

Nautilus Resort

Aitutaki is home to one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world, and its diving matches the famous postcard views. Inside the lagoon, The Pinnacles rise as d...

Aitutaki

Atiu is a raised volcanic island south of Rarotonga, known for its makatea (raised coral limestone) cliffs and a relaxed, traditional way of life. Underwater, t...

Atiu

Mangaia is the southernmost and one of the oldest raised atolls in the Pacific, a makatea island of dramatic limestone cliffs and ancient forts. Underwater, the...

Mangaia

Manihiki and Rakahanga are two remote northern atolls famous as the black pearl capital of the Cook Islands. Manihiki’s lagoon is lined with pearl farms, and di...

Manihiki & Rakahanga

Palmerston Atoll is one of the most remote and pristine places in the Cook Islands, a tiny ring of islets surrounding a turquoise lagoon far to the west. Reache...

Palmerston Atoll

Penrhyn, also known as Tongareva, is the largest and northernmost atoll in the Cook Islands, a vast ring of reef and islets surrounding a huge lagoon near the e...

Penrhyn (Tongareva)

Rarotonga North & West covers the less-dived but equally rewarding side of the island, where the outer reef falls away into deep water and cultural sites meet t...

Rarotonga (North & West)

Rarotonga South is the heart of Cook Islands diving, where the fringing reef meets the open Pacific through a series of dramatic passages and drop-offs. The sou...

Rarotonga (South)

Suwarrow is an uninhabited atoll and national park in the northern Cook Islands, a completely untouched ring of reef and lagoon reached only by private sailboat...

Suwarrow Atoll

Adventure Reef

Drop-Off (Aitutaki Outer Reef)

The Pinnacles (Aitutaki)

Aorangi Wreck

The Aquarium (Aitutaki)

Atiu Lagoon

Atiu Outer Reef

Avana Passage

Black Rock (Tuoro)

Blake's Wall

The Boiler Wreck (SS Maitai)

The Caves (Aitutaki)

Edmund's Reef

Honeymoon Island (Maina)

Kaikoura Gardens

Mangaia Caves

Mangaia Wall

Manihiki Atoll

Matai Wreck

Mataora Wreck (MV Mataora)

Moturakau Wall

Ngatangiia Swamp Passage

Palmerston Lagoon & Outer Reef

Palmerston Passes

Papa's Drop-Off

Papua Passage (Rapae)

Paradise Tikioki

Penrhyn Lagoon & Passes

Rakahanga Atoll

The Pinnacles (North Rarotonga)

Sand River (Avaavaroa Passage)

Suwarrow National Park

Drop-Off (Wigmore's Wall)

Internal transport centres on Rarotonga, reached by international flight, with Air Rarotonga providing domestic flights to Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Manihiki and other islands. Inter-island cargo boats and private yachts link the outer atolls, and expedition liveaboards cover the remote northern group. On Rarotonga, rental cars, scooters, buses and taxis are available.

Liveaboard Diving in Cook Islands

Experience Overview

Featured Operators

Expedition Liveaboard (northern group)

Remote Reach

Booking Advice

Where to Stay in Cook Islands