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M.V. Mataora

The M.V. Mataora isn't one of those perfect, intact wrecks you see in brochures, and that's precisely why we love it. Sunk intentionally in 1990, cyclones have done their work over the decades, breaking the 45-metre cargo schooner into several distinct sections. You'll find the bow and stern still largely recognisable, resting between 10 and 18 metres. We love exploring the scattered ribs and plating, which have become a framework for some of Rarotonga's healthiest hard corals. Look closely for Poss’ Scorpionfish tucked amongst the debris, perfectly camouflaged. We’ve spotted Desjardin's Sailfin Tangs grazing the growth, and Saddleback Butterflyfish flitting over the remaining structures. Visibility here is usually great, averaging around 28 metres, making it an easy dive for anyone comfortable exploring a broken-up wreck. It's not a swim-through kind of place; it's more about observing how nature reclaims and reshapes. We always find something new here, whether it’s a shy Undulated Moray peeking from a pipe or a flash of iridescent Fire Dartfish above the coral.