Chimney

Best months: Oct–Jan

Protected Area

Vailoapu-Namoui

Why dive here

With 179+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, giant moray eels, grey reef sharks, humpback whales and sperm whales - Chimney offers some of Niue West Coast's richest reef diving. Water ranges 25-29°C, warmest February, March, April.

Best timeOct–Jan

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Giant Moray Eels, Grey Reef Sharks, Humpback Whales and Sperm Whales · 179+ species recorded

Water25-29°C · warmest February, March, April

CharacterReef dive · max 8-25m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Chimney is just plain fun. We think it’s one of Niue’s most iconic dives, and for good reason. It’s a vertical shaft, dropping from about eight metres down to 25. As you descend, the light shafts from above are incredible, carving through the water in shimmering columns. The walls are covered in corals, though not the big plates you might see elsewhere. Here, it’s more about the smaller, intricate stuff, lots of little critters tucked into every crevice. We’ve spotted countless Red-streaked Blennies peeking out, and the flash of a Lemon Peel angelfish always catches our eye. This site is an intermediate dive; you’ll want to be comfortable with buoyancy as you navigate the shaft. It’s not tight, but you’re in an enclosed space for a bit. Our advice? Go in the morning. That’s when the light show is at its best. Keep an eye out for whitetip reef sharks cruising the deeper exit, and don't forget to look up as you ascend – the view back towards the surface is fantastic. It’s a short dive, often paired with something else nearby, but it packs a punch.