Scuba Diving in Cook Islands

Explore 36 dive sites and 4 dive centres in Cook Islands. Conditions, marine life, and the best time to dive.

Cook Islands Diving at a Glance

1 dive region, 36 dive sites, 4 dive centres, 143 marine species recorded.

Travel Advisories for Cook Islands

UK FCDO: See travel advice before travelling.

Best Time to Dive in Cook Islands

The best months to dive in Cook Islands are January, February, March, based on water temperature, visibility, wave conditions, and currents.

Month-by-Month Diving Conditions

  • January: Great, water 26.5°C
  • February: Great, water 26.5°C
  • March: Great, water 26.5°C
  • April: Great, water 26.5°C
  • May: Great, water 26.5°C
  • June: Great, water 26.5°C
  • July: Great, water 26.5°C
  • August: Great, water 26.5°C
  • September: Great, water 26.5°C
  • October: Great, water 26.5°C
  • November: Great, water 26.5°C
  • December: Great, water 26.5°C

Recommended Packing List for Cook Islands

Based on average water temperature of 26.5°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Dive Regions