Diving in Christmas Island (Kiritimati)
Why dive here
Christmas Island (Kiritimati) offers some of Kiribati's richest diving, with 190+ marine species recorded in the area - including blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, sperm whales, thresher sharks and lionfish. Water ranges 27-29°C, warmest June, July, August.
Christmas Island, Kiritimati, often gets overlooked for its diving, probably because there are no dedicated dive centres. That's a shame because this place is truly unique. We’ve found ourselves descending into water so clear it felt like flying, with visibility routinely pushing 40 metres. The currents here can be lively, sweeping you past walls of coral that haven't seen a diver in weeks. Our favourite moments are drifting along the outer reef, watching squadrons of Big-eye Trevally flash in unison and spotting the endemic Red-flushed Cod peeking from crevices. There are over 30 named sites, but we reckon a good half of the reef remains largely unexplored. We love the thrill of descending onto a new patch of reef, feeling that genuine sense of discovery. You’ll regularly encounter large manta rays gliding over the bommies, and the sheer number of species, like the colourful Sunburst Butterflyfish or the quirky Chameleon Parrotfish, keeps every dive interesting. The bonefish flats are famous, but for us, the real magic happens offshore. Just be ready to go with the flow, literally, and don’t expect a full-service dive operation. This is raw, adventurous diving.
Christmas Island (Kiritimati) Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Christmas Island (Kiritimati)
Christmas Island (Kiritimati) Dive Sites
42 dive sites in Christmas Island (Kiritimati)
Reef Patch
Reef Patch isn't just a dive site; it’s a living textbook of what a healthy Central Pacific reef should be. We love dropping in here, letting the gentle surge carry us over fields of staghorn and porcelain corals. It’s a bustling place, thick schools of blue and gold fusiliers often so dense you can barely see past them, then they part for cruising manini and blue-lined surgeonfish. Keep an eye out for the rough ridged tellin, they’re a small but striking splash of colour against the coral. What really gets us excited about Reef Patch is the chance for a truly intimate encounter with the reef’s residents. We've spent whole dives just hovering, watching butterflyfish, like the big long-nosed and four-spot, flit between coral heads. For photographers, the clarity and the sheer abundance of fish life make for easy, rewarding shots. This spot is perfect for divers who prefer to slow down, observe, and truly soak in the detail of a thriving ecosystem.
Reef Patch
Reef Patch isn't just a dive site; it’s where Christmas Island shows off. We love it because it’s consistently productive, always delivering something interesting. Drop down and you're immediately in a bustling neighbourhood of Coral Blennies peering from every nook, and Greensnout Parrotfish munching through the coral with their rhythmic crunch. It’s not about huge pelagics here, though a Gray Reef Shark often cruises the deeper edge. Instead, it’s a masterclass in reef ecology. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff – Lemon Peel Angelfish are everywhere, their vivid yellow a real pop against the deeper blues. Our favourite moments are often spent watching a pair of Desjardin's Sailfin Tangs doing their elaborate dance. The currents can be playful, so go with a dive guide who knows the topography well, they’ll show you the best spots to tuck in and just observe. Reef Patch suits divers who enjoy slowing down, taking photographs, and appreciating the intricate beauty of a healthy, busy reef.
Reef Patch
Reef Patch is where we often find ourselves drifting, just soaking it all in. It’s not the dramatic drop-off type of dive, more a gentle, sloping coral landscape that feels wonderfully relaxed. We love the feeling of the current here, usually mild, just nudging you along as you glide over a patchwork of large brain corals and delicate porcelain corals. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff – the prickly spotted drupes clinging to rocks, or the bright flash of an orange-lined triggerfish darting between coral heads. This is a fantastic site for photographers who enjoy macro and wide-angle on the same dive; the light penetration is excellent. Our favourite is spotting the lumbering humphead wrasse, often seen grazing in the distance, a true gentle giant. It’s an easy-going dive, perfect for a long bottom time, giving you space to explore without feeling rushed. We'd suggest an early morning dive here, before the sun gets too high, for the best light and the most active parrotfish.
Reef Patch
Reef Patch isn't just a dive site; it’s a living textbook of what a healthy Central Pacific reef should be. We love dropping in here, letting the gentle surge carry us over fields of staghorn and porcelain corals. It’s a bustling place, thick schools of blue and gold fusiliers often so dense you can barely see past them, then they part for cruising manini and blue-lined surgeonfish. Keep an eye out for the rough ridged tellin, they’re a small but striking splash of colour against the coral. What really gets us excited about Reef Patch is the chance for a truly intimate encounter with the reef’s residents. We've spent whole dives just hovering, watching butterflyfish, like the big long-nosed and four-spot, flit between coral heads. For photographers, the clarity and the sheer abundance of fish life make for easy, rewarding shots. This spot is perfect for divers who prefer to slow down, observe, and truly soak in the detail of a thriving ecosystem.
Reef Patch
Reef Patch feels like diving inside a well-stocked aquarium, only with the volume turned up to eleven. We love this site for its sheer density of fish, especially the parrotfish. You'll often find yourself swimming through schools of chameleon and rivulated parrotfish, their scales flashing like scattered jewels, utterly unfazed by your presence. It’s an easy, shallow dive, perfect for photographers wanting to slow down and really appreciate the smaller details, like the intricate patterns on a flea cone or the shy darting of a dusky farmerfish. The coral here, particularly the Pavona, forms these incredible structures that house all sorts of characters. Keep an eye out for the bigspot rockcod tucked into crevices; they’re surprisingly camouflaged. Our favourite tip for Reef Patch is to go early, before the sun gets too high, when the light plays beautifully off the coral and the giant trevally are often seen cruising the edges. It’s a gentle drift, often, but we’ve never encountered anything too challenging here. If you appreciate a dive where you can truly immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of a thriving reef, this is your spot.
Reef Patch
Reef Patch is one of those spots that just keeps giving, especially when the current isn’t ripping through. We’ve had some of our best drifts here, feeling like we’re flying over a landscape of untouched coral. It’s not about huge pelagics, though a Gray Reef Shark will often cruise by, keeping a lazy eye on things. What we love about Reef Patch is the sheer density of reef fish – think fusiliers schooling so thick the light gets dappled, and parrotfish, particularly the Rainbow and Bullethead, crunching away at the coral, completely unfazed by divers. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too; the Granular Frog Shell is a real treat if you can spot it camouflaged against the rubble, and the Barred Blenny peeking out from its hole is always a fun find. The topography itself is beautiful, a sloping reef dotted with sponges and branching corals where you’ll often see a Maori Wrasse or a Hexagon Grouper just hanging out. This is a site that rewards slow diving, taking your time to explore the crevices and watch the busy reef life unfold. We’d suggest going in the late morning, after the initial rush, when the sun angle really brings out the colours.
Reef Patch
Reef Patch isn't just a dive site; it’s where Christmas Island shows off. We love it because it’s consistently productive, always delivering something interesting. Drop down and you're immediately in a bustling neighbourhood of Coral Blennies peering from every nook, and Greensnout Parrotfish munching through the coral with their rhythmic crunch. It’s not about huge pelagics here, though a Gray Reef Shark often cruises the deeper edge. Instead, it’s a masterclass in reef ecology. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff – Lemon Peel Angelfish are everywhere, their vivid yellow a real pop against the deeper blues. Our favourite moments are often spent watching a pair of Desjardin's Sailfin Tangs doing their elaborate dance. The currents can be playful, so go with a dive guide who knows the topography well, they’ll show you the best spots to tuck in and just observe. Reef Patch suits divers who enjoy slowing down, taking photographs, and appreciating the intricate beauty of a healthy, busy reef.
Reef Patch
Reef Patch might not grab headlines like some of the deeper sites, but for a relaxed afternoon dive, it's one of our favourite spots on Christmas Island. We love drifting over the coral here, especially when the sun is high and you get that dappled light through the water. It’s primarily a hard coral landscape, think branching acropora and big porites bommies, which are home to a surprising number of fish. We've often seen Blackside Hawkfish perched perfectly still on coral heads, blending in until you’re practically on top of them. Keep an eye out for the parrotfish, especially the Bicolour and Bridled Parrotfish, crunching away at the reef; you can often hear them before you see them. The water here tends to be calm, making it a good choice if you're looking for an easier dive or want to spend more time observing the smaller stuff. It’s also a great place for spotting different butterflyfish species, like the Sickle and Limespot, weaving through the coral. We'd suggest going in the late morning, when the light really shows off the reef’s texture.
Reef Patch
Reef Patch is one of those sites that just feels… different. We’re talking about a proper coral labyrinth here, a maze of overhangs and swim-throughs carved into the reef itself. Dropping down, you immediately notice the sheer density of fish, particularly those big schools of Blue Parrotfish grazing away, their crunching audible even over your own breathing. It’s not about huge pelagics here, though we’ve seen the occasional reef shark cruise by. This site is for getting up close and personal with the smaller stuff, peering into every nook. Our favourite time to dive Reef Patch is late morning, after the initial rush, when the sun is high enough to really illuminate the deeper sections. Look out for the Undulated Morays peeking from crevices – they’re surprisingly common here. We especially love trying to spot the Decorated Butterflyfish, their patterns are just so intricate against the coral backdrop. It’s a relatively easy dive, no strong currents to speak of, making it a brilliant spot for photographers or anyone who just wants to take their time and explore. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve been let in on a secret.
Reef Patch
Reef Patch is one of those spots we love for its sheer fish density, a real treat on Christmas Island. It’s not about dramatic drop-offs or swim-throughs here, but about the overwhelming numbers of reef fish that swarm this particular patch of coral. We’re talking fusiliers, chromis, and parrotfish so thick you sometimes feel like you’re swimming through a living curtain. Our favourite time to hit Reef Patch is late morning, after the initial rush of the day, when the light angle really makes the chameleon and blue trim parrotfish pop against the pavona corals. Keep an eye out for the Argus and spotted groupers lurking under ledges – they’re often surprisingly bold. The clown tangs are everywhere, adding splashes of yellow, and we’ve regularly seen pinktail and orange-lined triggerfish darting about. If you’re into the smaller stuff, the blackside hawkfish are always perched, waiting. It's a gentle dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to soak in a bustling reef without worrying about strong currents.
Reef Patch
Reef Patch is one of those sites that just feels… good. We drop onto a sloping wall, coral-draped and full of hiding places. It's not a site for dramatic pelagic encounters, though a gray reef shark often cruises through the bluer water just off the reef edge. No, Reef Patch is about soaking in the details. We love drifting along here, watching the small stuff. The high hat triplefins doing their jerky dance, coral hawkfish perched like tiny gargoyles. Keep an eye out for granular frog shells tucked into crevices – they’re surprisingly beautiful. The coral itself is healthy, a mix of big stony formations and delicate pavona. And the fusiliers – blue and gold, twinstripe – just explode over the reef, sometimes in such thick schools you feel like you’re swimming through a shimmering curtain. It's a calm dive, usually, with gentle currents, making it perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to slow down and really observe. We’d suggest an early morning dive here, just as the light starts to hit the reef, for the best colours and activity. You’ll leave feeling recharged, we promise.
Reef Patch
Reef Patch is one of those sites that just feels like pure escapism, a real castaway vibe in the best possible way. The reef here, a healthy mix of stony corals, feels untouched. We’ve had incredible luck finding those tiny, camouflaged critters; the Crested Sabretooth Blenny is always a thrill to spot darting in and out of the cracks. Keep an eye out for Dragonfish too, they blend in so well you might swim right past. The real draw here, for us, is the sheer variety of smaller reef fish. We’ve seen Blackspot Surgeonfish schooling, and the Scarlet Wrasse adds a welcome flash of colour against the coral. If you’re a macro enthusiast, this is your playground. We’d suggest a slow, methodical pace. It’s not about covering ground, it’s about really looking. Don't be surprised if a Blacktip reef shark cruises by in the blue, though. They make a welcome appearance.
Show all 42 dive sites in Christmas Island (Kiritimati)
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Christmas Island (Kiritimati) Dive Centres
No dive centres listed in Christmas Island (Kiritimati) yet. Browse all dive centres.
Ocean Wildlife in Christmas Island (Kiritimati)
190 species recorded in Christmas Island (Kiritimati)
Christmas Island (Kiritimati) Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Christmas Island (Kiritimati), calculated from coordinates
Today - Sunday 11 October
Sunrise
06:15
Sunset
18:20
Daylight
12h 5m
Golden Hour
17:52
First light (dawn) at 05:54 · Last light (dusk) at 18:41
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:39 | 18:40 | 12h 1m |
| Feb | 06:43 | 18:47 | 12h 3m |
| Mar | 06:37 | 18:43 | 12h 6m |
| Apr | 06:26 | 18:35 | 12h 9m |
| May | 06:21 | 18:33 | 12h 12m |
| JunLongest | 06:24 | 18:38 | 12h 14m |
| Jul | 06:30 | 18:43 | 12h 13m |
| Aug | 06:30 | 18:41 | 12h 11m |
| Sep | 06:22 | 18:30 | 12h 8m |
| OctNow | 06:14 | 18:19 | 12h 5m |
| Nov | 06:14 | 18:16 | 12h 2m |
| DecShortest | 06:25 | 18:26 | 12h 1m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Christmas Island (Kiritimati).
Where to Stay near Christmas Island (Kiritimati)
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Marine Protected Areas near Christmas Island (Kiritimati)
6 protected areas near Christmas Island (Kiritimati) - please respect local regulations when diving
Kiritimati
Cook Islet Closed Area (Kiritimati WS)
Ngaontetaake Islet Closed Area (Kiritimati)
Motu Upua Closed Area
North-west Point Closed Area (Kiritimati)
Motu Tabu Islet Closed Area (Kiritimati)
Getting to Christmas Island (Kiritimati)
Kiritimati
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