The Loyalty Islands sit in the South Pacific Ocean and offer a mix of site types that suits both beginners and intermediate divers. Shore and boat entry are both possible, and the five sites in our database span reefs, walls, drop-offs, caves, and an artificial reef. Jokin Cliffs is the most prominent site, a shore-entry reef and drop-off where snorkellers can explore up to one hundred metres from the beach. Water is warmest from January to March and cools through the austral winter, with the coldest months running from August to October. Species recorded at these sites include whitetip reef sharks, green sea turtles, Napoleon wrasse, pygmy seahorses, and peacock mantis shrimp.
Monthly water temperature across Loyalty Islands's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperatures peak around the summer months of January to March and drop to their coolest between August and October, when a thin wetsuit becomes useful. Diving is possible year-round, and the shallow depth profile across most sites means conditions suit beginners for much of the calendar.
Water temperature around Loyalty Islands ranges from about 24°C in August to 28°C in January, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 28°C) a rash guard or 3mm shorty is comfortable in Loyalty Islands; in the coldest months (about 24°C) step up to a 3mm full suit.
Fin maps 5 sites in Loyalty Islands (4 scuba diving sites and 2 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
3 more sites to explore
