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Arorangi Drop Off

The Arorangi Drop Off is one of our favourite spots on Rarotonga's west coast, particularly for those willing to embrace a little current. We love how the reef here transitions from a gently sloping coral garden into a proper wall, carved with overhangs and small caves. It’s a site that feels alive, often with schools of Blackfin Chromis dancing above the coral bommies. We’ve found the currents at Arorangi can be quite playful, which often brings in the bigger pelagics. Keep an eye out for eagle rays gliding past, their silhouettes crisp against the blue. You’ll also frequently spot Trevallys patrolling the edge and, if you’re lucky, a lionfish tucked into a crevice, their fins fanning out dramatically. For macro enthusiasts, the colourful Dot and Dash Butterflyfish are plentiful, and we’ve even found the elusive Flasher Scorpionfish here, perfectly camouflaged. We’d suggest diving Arorangi in the morning; the light hitting the wall at that time is truly something else, illuminating the olive anthias and making the corals pop. It’s a dive that rewards attentive divers, offering both wide-angle drama and intricate details.