Cook Islands Snorkelling Guide

The best spot for snorkelling on Rarotonga is around Titikaveka Lagoon in the south eastern side of the island. It's a good place to view small tropical fish and giant clams but there is little coral. You can access the best snorkelling spots from the beach at the Fruits of Rarotonga or otherwise take a snorkelling trip with Captain Tamas Cruises.

There are several other Raui, or marine protected areas, dotted around the island including at the Rarotongan Beach Resort. Muri Lagoon has good snorkelling for beginners being protected by several small atolls and the bottom is sandy and shallow enough to stand, but there is no coral and limited fish.

Unfortunately the reef around some parts of Rarotonga, particularly the south-west coast, is quite shallow and the coral can't to survive. In some parts the dead reef is exposed at low tide making it only suitable for reef-walking. The reef along the north coast of Rarotonga is very close to shore and the waters are rough and not suitable for swimming or snorkelling.

Snorkelling around Aitutaki Lagoon has none of these problems. Here the entire lagoon is a sunken volcano which is quite deep at its centre yet shallow around its rim. Snorkelling is excellent right off the beaches of Aitutaki but there are even better spots around the tiny atolls on the rim of the lagoon and there are plenty of lagoon cruise day tours to take you there.



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