Sunset Lava Tubes - Rarotonga

The Veleiro Yemanja wreck, scuttled deliberately in 1999, sits in front of Pina Beach, a mere 19 meters down. It’s a good introductory wreck dive, especially for those new to exploring submerged structures, though its max depth of 26 meters offers a little extra for the more experienced. We always appreciate a wreck with a bit of history, even if it's a planned sinking. You can still make out the masts, mooring cleats, and the frame of the hull, which gives it a real ghost ship feel. We love how the Yemanja has become an artificial reef, drawing in nurse sharks that often snooze under the shelter of the hull, and green turtles that glide past, seemingly unfazed by divers. Schools of Atlantic thread herring and sergeant majors swirl around the fragmented iron, so thick at times they dim the ambient light. Keep an eye out for long-snout seahorses clinging to the structure, a real treat if you can spot them. Average visibility here is around 30 meters, so you'll get a clear view of the wreck and its residents.

Location
Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates
-21.210300, -159.829500
Type
wreck

Best Time to Dive in Rarotonga

The warmest water temperatures in Rarotonga occur in January, averaging 26.5°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.5°C (air: 24.8°C)
  • February: 26.5°C (air: 25.2°C)
  • March: 26.5°C (air: 25.5°C)
  • April: 26.5°C (air: 25.0°C)
  • May: 26.5°C (air: 24.2°C)
  • June: 26.5°C (air: 22.8°C)
  • July: 26.5°C (air: 22.3°C)
  • August: 26.5°C (air: 21.7°C)
  • September: 26.5°C (air: 22.0°C)
  • October: 26.5°C (air: 22.1°C)
  • November: 26.5°C (air: 22.6°C)
  • December: 26.5°C (air: 24.0°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Rarotonga

Nearest Dive Centres to Sunset Lava Tubes

Marine Life in Rarotonga

Home to 143 recorded species including 102 reef fish, 14 hard corals, 10 sea snails & nudibranchs, 7 sea cucumbers, 2 sea urchins, 2 starfish.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Sunset Lava Tubes

Based on average water temperature of 26.5°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth range for diving in the Sunset Lava Tubes?
The Sunset Lava Tubes offer a typical diving depth range of 10 to 20 meters, with a maximum depth of 18 meters. Divers will explore a large coral shelf that rises from 18m to 5m below the surface, providing varied depths within the site.
What kind of marine life and geological formations can divers expect to see inside the Sunset Lava Tubes?
Divers exploring the Sunset Lava Tubes can expect to encounter fascinating geological formations, including a large coral shelf, a cavern, and a small tunnel system with different overhead exit points. This site is also a good place for finding diverse marine life such as nudibranches, lion fish, scorpionfish, cowrie shells, and anemones.
How challenging is diving the Sunset Lava Tubes, and what level of diving experience is recommended?
Diving the Sunset Lava Tubes is described as an easy overhead environment site. While it involves exploring a cavern and small tunnel system, its classification as 'easy' suggests it's manageable for divers with appropriate training and comfort in overhead environments.
What is the best time of year or day to dive the Sunset Lava Tubes for optimal conditions and marine encounters?
The provided data does not specify the best time of year or day to dive the Sunset Lava Tubes for optimal conditions or marine encounters. For general guidance on dive planning and seasonal conditions, you might consult our When to Dive section.
Are there any specific scuba diving certifications required to dive the Sunset Lava Tubes?
While the data does not explicitly state specific certification requirements, the Sunset Lava Tubes are described as an 'overhead environment site.' Divers should ensure they possess the appropriate training and experience, such as a cavern or overhead environment specialty certification, before exploring this site.
What are the typical current conditions and visibility like when diving the Sunset Lava Tubes?
When diving the Sunset Lava Tubes, divers can expect an average visibility of 11 meters, offering clear views of the coral shelf and tunnel system. The provided data does not specify typical current conditions for this particular dive site.