Snorkelling and Diving in Rarotonga & Cook Islands 2025

The crystal clear and warm shallow waters of the Cook Islands offer the best holidays and perfect snorkelling conditions. The amazing underwater world with beautiful coral reefs and hundreds of brightly coloured fish are waiting for you here. Snorkelling is a safe and exciting activity for people of all ages. The Aroa Marine reserve, on the west coast of Rarotonga, is one of the best places for snorkelling due to the outlying reef which protects its waters from the open ocean waves. It is a natural breeding ground for tropical reef fish. You can find parrot fish, Moorish idols, wrasse, angel fish, and lots of others. In the waters of Aroa marine reserve, you can easily spot large schools of trevally, butterfly fish, and sea bream.

Big blue triggerfish welcome divers in the deep waters of the Cook Islands. The excellent visibility opens an unforgettable underwater world outside the reef in Aitutaki. Caves, canyons, tunnels, coral gardens, drop-offs, and shipwrecks offer an excellent underwater adventure in the coast waters of Rarotonga. You can expect from 30 to 60 metres of perfect visibility with amazing colours for both diving and snorkelling. Really deep diving or night diving is an ideal part of the holiday for those looking for something more extreme. Although the water temperature ensures that diving and snorkelling can be performed year round, before planning your trip remember that islands experience cyclones during the rainy season from November to March. It is better to avoid these months to ensure perfect diving conditions on every day of your vacation.