Dives for certified divers

We dive the beautiful reef surrounding Rarotonga 4 times a day, 7 days a week

* Boats manned with rescue trained staff whilst you dive; on EVERY dive
* Marine VHF radio, flares, DAN Oxygen and first aid kits on board
* Safe dive times and depths within PADI RDP and Multilevel RDP limits
* Ladder available for easy boarding
* Cylinders hydro tested, in date and air analysed and certified O2 clean
* Maximum of 6 certified divers per trip

We will do everything we can to ensure that you get the very best out of your Dive Rarotonga experience!

Below is detailed information of our dive trips....

Dive Times

We offer morning and afternoon dive trips, so you can choose the best time to suit you. We dive 4 times a day with the main dive times at 8am and 1.30pm, 7 days a week. The only exception is Sunday Morning, where due to religious beliefs of the islanders we do not book dives. You can choose to do a single dive or a two tank dive trip at either of these times - the choice is yours!

Our boats

We have 2 x Mac 5.7m boats designed and built in New Zealand for diving. This means that we can offer comfort while always keeping our diving groups small (max 6 divers). The boats are set up with tank racks and storage, allowing divers to gear up on dry land. Ever been sea sick? Well if you have, you'll appreciate having your gear assembled and ready to go, so when the boats stops it's a quick buddy check and in you get!

Launch sites

There are 4 launch sites around Rarotonga, meaning we can almost always find a calm spot to dive. Although we use all 4, we are the only Dive Centre with one of our boats permanently moored at one of the sites, meaning you don't have to help with the launching of the boat. We also have access to toilets and showers to make your breaks that little bit more 'comfortable'!

Safety

Our boats are surveyed and equipped with all appropriate safety gear including oxygen, first aid and marine radio etc (inspections are welcomed). We use qualified skippers and during each dive we always ensure your safety by keeping first aid trained personnel on the boat at all times (please note this is not standard practice in the Cook Islands). The nearest hospital is approx 2km from the dive centre.

Night Dives

We also offer regular night dives - how about watching the sun go down over the South Pacific before rolling over the side to explore after dark? Simply ask us if you fancy a dip as the sun goes down.

Dive Sites

Rarotonga is home to some of the best and most diverse diving in the Pacific - there are about 35 dive sites around the island that we dive and of these, there are some that are consistently better than the rest. Every day we check the weather and swell and choose the best sites for both morning and afternoon trips. Find out detailed information about our dive sites by clicking here.

Guided

Our dives are always guided (unless specifically requested) at no extra cost and we are proud to have by far the most experienced divemaster in the Cook Islands. Yes, Eric is still with Dive Raro after how many years is it...? Certainly more than 20!! And he still dives - perhaps not as often as he used too!

Marine Life

We are very proud of the fact that the graceful humpback whale chooses the waters of Rarotonga to rest with her calf on her migration back to the colder southern waters. And, there's lots more - over 70 species of colourful coral, moray eels, reef sharks, lionfish, turtles, maori wrasse, anemone fish, butterfly fish, angelfish, rays, pufferfish, trumpetfish and many, many more!

Water Temperature & Visibility

We experience a range of temperatures from 23° C to 28° C (no more dry-suits - yippee! - Ed). The visibility in the waters around Rarotonga is always great - upwards of 20m! So you need never fear missing that turtle!

Briefings

You'll be given a full briefing of the dive site and safety info by our staff before each dive so you'll know just what to expect when we get submersed. Then, after the dive, you are invited to join us for a debriefing back at the school - a great chance to get those log books filled in.

Bad Weather

Ok, so we live on a beautiful South Pacific Island where the sun always shines..! But occasionally it blows a hooley! (is that a word??) If this is the case you won't find us diving. After all, diving is supposed to be fun! Hanging over the side feeding the fish, doesn't count as fun in ourbook. We won't take you out just to take your money!