Arutanga Passage

Best time to dive

April to November; June to October

What you might see

• Eagle rayLikely
• Grey reef sharkLikely
• Moray eelLikely
• Sea turtleLikely

Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.

Certification & difficulty

Advanced Open Water - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.

Snorkelling

Not a snorkel site - Limited - passage is the main ship channel with boat traffic and current, better suited to scuba; shallow reef edges could be snorkeled in calm conditions but not commonly promoted for snorkelling

Safety notes

Strong currents, surge, heavy boat/ferry traffic in the passage (main shipping channel for Aitutaki), watch for surface craft

Permits & fees

No specific dive permit; standard operator dive fees apply; Cook Islands' Marae Moana marine park framework covers the wider EEZ but no site-specific fee reported

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Location

Nearest hub: Aitutaki