Diving & Travel Guide to Rarotonga (North & West)

About Rarotonga (North & West)

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 the sea. The Pinnacles rise from the northern reef as large submerged rocks that attract schooling barracuda, kingfish, trevally and the occasional hammerhead. Papa’s Drop-Off and Blake’s Wall are steep outer-reef walls draped in gorgonians, with groupers, whitetip reef sharks and eagle rays. Black Rock at Tuoro is a culturally significant site of ledges and caves that makes an exceptional night dive, while Edmund’s Reef is a shallow garden perfect for training. Because the northern coast is more exposed, these sites reward divers who time their trips with the calm dry-season weather and slack tides.

Highlights

• ✓The Pinnacles: Large submerged rocks in the north attracting schooling barracuda, kingfish, trevally and occasional hammerheads.
• ✓Black Rock (Tuoro): A culturally significant site of ledges and caves, excellent for night diving with turtles and macro life.
• ✓Papa’s Drop-Off: A gentle wall with gorgonians, parrotfish, angelfish and the occasional manta ray.
• ✓Blake’s Wall: A steep wall with large groupers, whitetip reef sharks and eagle rays.

Getting There

The northern and western sites are reached by boat from Rarotonga International Airport at Avarua, which is on this side of the island. Trips run from Avarua and nearby bases and take 20 to 25 minutes to reach the outer reef. Because the northern coast is more exposed, operators choose sites based on daily conditions, and the sheltered lagoon sites such as Edmund’s Reef are reliable in most weather.