Matavera Point on the eastern coast of Rarotonga is a challenging site defined by a steep wall and strong currents. The topography features a drop-off ranging from 20 to 40 metres, requiring advanced diving skills. Visibility is highly variable, reaching up to 40 metres in optimal conditions. Access is by boat only, and the site is suitable for drift diving. Water temperatures remain between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Night diving is permitted, though the site requires careful planning around current cycles. Divers should remain vigilant for boat traffic and manage decompression requirements due to the depth.

Ngatangiia School is a reef dive located off the Muri and Eastern Coast of Rarotonga. This site is accessible by boat and features depths ranging from 15 to 30 metres. Divers encounter mild currents and visibility that can reach up to 33 metres. The topography includes an overhead environment, such as a cave or swim-through, requiring solid buoyancy control. Water temperatures remain between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius, making a 3mm wetsuit suitable for most conditions. The site is appropriate for beginner divers, and night diving is also available for those seeking an after-dark experience. Confirm boat schedules and guide requirements locally before planning your trip.

Tupapa Sandriver is an offshore reef site featuring a wall and drop-off located 3000 metres from the Muri and Eastern Coast. Divers encounter depths ranging from 10 to 40 metres, with an average of 25 metres. The site is accessed exclusively by boat due to significant surf and offshore navigation risks. Conditions are variable, with currents shifting and visibility ranging from 20 to 60 metres. Water temperatures remain between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius. Sharks are present at this location, requiring diver awareness. Night diving is available. Species recorded around this area include wrasses, butterflyfish, triggerfish, and various moray eels.

Avana Passage is a natural canyon channel cutting through the reef at Muri and Eastern Coast, Rarotonga. This drift dive site features depths ranging from 14 to 45 metres, requiring intermediate skills and precise buoyancy control for the steeper lower sections. The passage is characterised by strong currents and variable visibility, making local knowledge of tidal timing essential. Access is strictly by boat, as the site presents hazards including a hazardous shore break, sharp coral, and rip currents. Divers should coordinate closely with their skipper for safe entry and exit. Typical dive times are approximately 50 minutes, with water temperatures remaining between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius throughout the year.

Muri Beach is a shallow reef site located within a sheltered lagoon on the eastern coast of Rarotonga. With an average depth of one metre, the site is suitable for beginners and snorkellers. Access is via the shore, though caution is required at the entry point due to a shore break and sharp coral, particularly at lower tides. Water temperatures remain consistent between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Divers and snorkellers should be aware of potential hazards including jellyfish, strong currents, and surf. Equipment rental, guided tours, and boat charters are available locally to assist with navigating the reef and selecting safe entry points.

The Mataora Wreck is an artificial reef site located off the Avarua and Western Coast of Rarotonga. This wreck dive sits at an average depth of 15 metres, with a total depth range between 10 and 18 metres. Access to the site is by boat only. Divers should be aware of potential hazards including entanglement risks, overhead environments within the wreck structure, and sharp coral in the surrounding area. Conditions at the site feature moderate currents and visibility ranging from 10 to 30 metres. The site is suitable for beginner divers looking to explore a wreck and reef environment.

Papua Reef is a marine site located off the Avarua and Western Coast of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. This site features a combination of reef and cavern topography. Divers should anticipate an average depth of 9 metres. Access to this location is strictly by boat. Conditions at the site are variable, with strong currents and surf present, making it a location that requires careful planning and experience. Due to the nature of the currents and the physical environment, this site is best suited for experienced divers comfortable with dynamic marine conditions.

Mushroom Forest is a reef and artificial reef site off the coast of Rarotonga, named for its distinctive coral formations. Accessible only by boat, the site ranges from 15 to 30 metres in depth with visibility between 15 and 30 metres. Divers encounter common wrasses and groupers, alongside uncommon species including the lunartail grouper, turkey moray, reticulated butterflyfish, lemonpeel angelfish, and various triggerfish. Water temperatures remain between 25 and 28C. While currents are generally mild, divers should remain aware of surge and swell conditions, which can impact manoeuvring at depth. Hazards include potential jellyfish stings, stonefish, and sharks. This site is suited for intermediate divers.