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R.M.S. Maitai

Diving the R.M.S. Maitai is a proper history lesson, but one you can swim through. This isn’t a pristine, intact ship; she ran aground on Christmas Day 1916, and over a century of Rarotongan surf has really taken its toll. What’s left is scattered across the reef, a kind of archaeological puzzle in 10 to 17 metres. We love how the reef has just swallowed the remains – it’s a living wreck. The engine block is the star, poking out of the water like a permanent monument, but below, you’ll find bits of superstructure, the rudder, and a surprisingly intact driveshaft. Look closely at the boilers; they’re caked in coral, and we’ve spotted tiny Arc-eye Hawkfish perched like sentinels. The Midget Chromis hover in clouds over the coral-encrusted metal, and those Red Squirrelfish always seem to be darting into the shadows. Visibility averages around 21 metres, which gives you a good sense of the sheer size of the wreck's footprint. It’s an easy dive, good for anyone comfortable navigating a bit of surge, and our pick for a second dive of the day when you want something a bit different.