Diving in Rarotonga

paulnz23:25 UTC02 Dec 2008

Not long back from Rarotonga where I enjoyed some excellent diving on a variety of sites. A hearty thumbs up for Dive Rarotonga who were great to deal with - very professional, friendly and hardly budget-breakers. I'd recommend them to any potential divers of any level. Cheers to Ed, Karen, Henry and Charles.

dadams22:08 UTC03 Dec 2008

Hi PaulNZ
can you provide us with a report about the sites, what you saw, the coral (if alive etc)?

paulnz21:44 UTC09 Dec 2008

Hi dadams

I dived four sites on the north-western side (Sand River, Coral Gardens, Mataroa and Paradise) and four passages on the southern side (Rutaki, Papua, Avaavaroa and Sheraton). Northern side had plenty of fish but few large animals, while the southern side had bigger animals (turtles, sharks, eagle rays and eels) as well as the fish. The currents could be quite strong in places on the southern side, less so in the north. Coral in all places was healthy, very much alive and doing nicely. Mataroa is a wreck, which has been broken up now but still home to several colonies of various fish. Visibility 30-40m in all areas.

Sorry I've been slow getting back to you - been away again and just got home.

Cheers

hapalochlaena00:33 UTC29 Jan 2009

Dive Raratonga - Is that the one run by an expat. Aussie?

And I was wondering if you did a livaboard dive trip or a series of day trips?

cheers

hapdybe23:26 UTC03 Feb 2009

I have to agree with Paul, Dive Rarotonga are friendly, professional and safe.We dived with them a couple of weeks ago. Karen led two of our dives (Scottish girl) and Charles the other two (local guy). We also met Ed who is the owner. I think he is from the UK, but saying that he may be from Oz. Our favourite site was Jade reef, a deep coral dive where we saw 6 sharks. Paradise was good to, with lots of fish and a friendly big blue fish called Tommy who followed us for the entire dive. Overall, good dives and a good crew to dive with.

hapdybe23:30 UTC03 Feb 2009

Forgot to mention, the dives we did were all short boat trips. We were picked up at 7:45am and after two dives we were back at the hotel at 12:45pm for lunch.

hapalochlaena11:08 UTC20 Feb 2009

Thanks for answering my question guys. Sadly it has all become academic for me since work has knocked back my leave application :-(
ah well, one day...

Diving in Rarotonga Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Cook Islands
paulnz23:25 UTC02 Dec 2008	Not long back from Rarotonga where I enjoyed some excellent diving on a variety of sites. A hearty thumbs up for Dive Rarotonga who were great to deal with - very professional, friendly and hardly budget-breakers. I'd recommend them to any potential divers of any level. Cheers to Ed, Karen, Henry and Charles.
dadams22:08 UTC03 Dec 2008	Hi PaulNZ can you provide us with a report about the sites, what you saw, the coral (if alive etc)?	1
paulnz21:44 UTC09 Dec 2008	Hi dadams I dived four sites on the north-western side (Sand River, Coral Gardens, Mataroa and Paradise) and four passages on the southern side (Rutaki, Papua, Avaavaroa and Sheraton). Northern side had plenty of fish but few large animals, while the southern side had bigger animals (turtles, sharks, eagle rays and eels) as well as the fish. The currents could be quite strong in places on the southern side, less so in the north. Coral in all places was healthy, very much alive and doing nicely. Mataroa is a wreck, which has been broken up now but still home to several colonies of various fish. Visibility 30-40m in all areas. Sorry I've been slow getting back to you - been away again and just got home. Cheers P	2
hapalochlaena00:33 UTC29 Jan 2009	Dive Raratonga - Is that the one run by an expat. Aussie? And I was wondering if you did a livaboard dive trip or a series of day trips? cheers	3
hapdybe23:26 UTC03 Feb 2009	I have to agree with Paul, Dive Rarotonga are friendly, professional and safe.We dived with them a couple of weeks ago. Karen led two of our dives (Scottish girl) and Charles the other two (local guy). We also met Ed who is the owner. I think he is from the UK, but saying that he may be from Oz. Our favourite site was Jade reef, a deep coral dive where we saw 6 sharks. Paradise was good to, with lots of fish and a friendly big blue fish called Tommy who followed us for the entire dive. Overall, good dives and a good crew to dive with.	4
hapdybe23:30 UTC03 Feb 2009	Forgot to mention, the dives we did were all short boat trips. We were picked up at 7:45am and after two dives we were back at the hotel at 12:45pm for lunch.	5
hapalochlaena11:08 UTC20 Feb 2009	Thanks for answering my question guys. Sadly it has all become academic for me since work has knocked back my leave application :-( ah well, one day...	6