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Arorangi Passage

Arorangi Passage on Rarotonga is one of those dives we return to time and again, despite its reputation for serious currents. We’ve had dives here where you practically fly through the passage, which is exhilarating but not for the faint of heart. It’s the smallest and shallowest of Rarotonga’s passages, dredged out recently for smaller boats, but don't let that fool you. The action here can be immense. Our favourite way to dive Arorangi is on an incoming tide. You can drift over the sandy bottom, spotting Ambon pufferfish poking out from crevices and the occasional snakehead cowrie clinging to the reef. The real magic, though, is on the outer reef walls. Here, the current often lessens, letting you explore the canyons and swim-throughs. We’ve found lionfish lurking in the shadows and small reef sharks patrolling the drop-off. Keep an eye out for humphead unicornfish schooling in the bluer water, their iridescent scales flashing as they navigate the flow. The coral here, particularly some robust staghorn, has really bounced back. This dive is definitely for those who enjoy a bit of drift and don't mind a strong workout. Expect to cover ground quickly and see a lot of fish activity, especially triggerfish and parrotfish, adapting to the surge.