The Best South Pacific Diving Spots

The South Pacific, famed for its coral reefs and marine biodiversity, is a diver's paradise. Cook Islands holidays, Tahiti holiday packages, Fiji holiday packages, and Bora Bora holidays all present unique underwater worlds waiting to be explored.

Cook Islands holidays offer opportunities to dive into crystal clear waters teeming with vibrant marine life. Rarotonga, the largest island, is surrounded by a lagoon that serves as an ideal spot for beginners. Experienced divers can venture beyond the lagoon to explore the drop-off, where eagle rays, turtles, and occasionally, humpback whales can be spotted. Remember to include a diving excursion in your Cook Islands travel plans to experience this underwater marvel.

Tahiti holiday packages often feature diving as a key activity, and rightly so. Tahiti is known for its dramatic underwater topography with drop-offs, caves, and wrecks. The waters around the island are populated with reef sharks, manta rays, and colourful fish species, making every dive an adventure.

Fiji, often dubbed the "Soft Coral Capital of the World," is a must-visit for any diving enthusiast. Whether you're on your first travel to Fiji or a returning visitor, the Rainbow Reef and the Great White Wall offer an explosion of colour and biodiversity that is sure to mesmerise. Include a diving experience in your Fiji holiday packages to explore these magnificent underwater landscapes.

Bora Bora holidays are synonymous with luxury, and its underwater world is no exception. The island's lagoon, with its clear turquoise waters, is a sanctuary for manta rays and leopard rays. The outer reef is home to lemon sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and myriad species of tropical fish. Dive into these waters for an unforgettable part of your Bora Bora holidays.

A holiday to Norfolk Island might not be the first to come to mind for diving, but it offers unique experiences. With numerous endemic species and historic shipwrecks around the island, Norfolk Island packages that include diving opportunities will bring you face-to-face with a fascinating blend of history and marine life.

Each South Pacific destination offers unique diving experiences, promising awe-inspiring encounters with the rich marine life of this region. Whether it's Cook Islands holidays, Tahiti holiday packages, Fiji holiday packages, or Bora Bora holidays, diving in the South Pacific is a memory that will last a lifetime.

The South Pacific is known for its beauty – both above and below the water’s surface. Home to some of the most diverse marine landscapes in the world, the South Pacific is a diver’s paradise. We’ve put together a list of some of the most popular diving spots throughout the region – if you want more information about any of these spots or want some help deciding which destination to start with, give our friendly team of South Pacific specialists a call on 1800 800 722 today.

The Cook Islands: the Rarotonga Reef

Such an unforgettable experience, this reef offers vibrant underwater landscapes teeming with marine life. Located in the heart of the Cook Islands, Rarotonga's crystal-clear waters and diverse coral gardens make it a diver's paradise. As you descend, you're greeted by schools of tropical fish, graceful rays, and even the occasional sea turtle. The reefs here are remarkably well-preserved, with dramatic drop-offs and unique rock formations. Whether you're a seasoned diver or a beginner, Rarotonga’s calm waters and rich biodiversity promise an adventure that’s both breathtaking and accessible for all levels of experience.

Fiji’s Rainbow Reef: The Soft Coral Capital of The World

Say “Bula!” to the world's best diving destination for soft coral lovers! Fiji’s Rainbow Reef is home to some of the most elaborate and colourful underwater landscapes, mesmerising all who enter its depths. Watch as the soft corals dance effortlessly in the gentle Fijian current while schools of rainbow of fish dart in and out, going about their daily business.

Consisting of almost 30kms of reef and many spectacular diving spots, the Rainbow Reef is home to several natural wonders, the most famous of which is the Great White Wall, an impressive stretch of wall that is carpeted in almost-white corals. Visiting the Great White Wall is an unmissable experience for any diving fanatic visiting the South Pacific, and with overhangs, tunnels and a 70-metre drop-off, it will definitely put your diving skills to the test!

The Solomon Islands: Wreck Dive

Upon reaching the Solomon Islands, you will be greeted by big, beaming smiles from the locals, only rivalled by the towering, lush mountains leaping from the water. Met with such beauty, it's hard to believe that this Melanesian paradise was home to the most prolonged military campaign in the Pacific during World War II.

Now home to many shipwrecks, the surrounding oceans of the Solomon Islands are a great choice for divers who with a keen interest in history and WWII. Popular dive sites include Toa Maru, Grand Central Station and Iron Bottom Sound.

Vanuatu: Million Dollar Point

It's not just the Solomon Islands that feature remnants of World War II in their waters. Million Dollar Point in Vanuatu has a very similar history, with many of its islands occupied by America during the war. Although differing from the shipwrecks in the Solomon Islands, many vessels and vehicles found in Million Dollar Point were deliberately dumped in the Sea in the late 40s, as the USA failed to strike a deal to sell them.

Million Dollar Point offers divers the best of both worlds, because the wreckage is starting to turn into reef and there are thousands of reef fish who have made a home in the many tanks, cranes, boats and machines.

Norfolk Island: Emily Bay Lagoon

Experience the ultimate Norfolk Island holiday at Emily Bay Lagoon, a picturesque tropical beach renowned for its spotless sand and crystal-clear waters, perfect for snorkelling and diving. As part of your Norfolk Island holiday package, embark on a Norfolk Island tour to this reef-sheltered lagoon, where you can paddle in the reef-sheltered waters and even jump into the water from the offshore pontoon known as 'the raft'.

Discover the enchanting underwater world, where vibrant fish dance around corals, either by snorkelling from the shore during low tide or joining a glass-bottomed boat excursion to the teeming reef. To add to the allure, Emily Bay is nestled within the Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a fascinating blend of natural beauty and historical significance, with the ruins of the Salt House and majestic Norfolk Island Pines creating an atmosphere of exploration and wonder during your Norfolk Island holiday.

South Pacific Diving Holidays:

Spacifica Travel specialise in creating unique holiday experiences for our customers, including special interest experiences. For more information or assistance in planning a South Pacific diving holiday, please get in touch on 1800 800 722 today.