EKIAKI - Ha'apai Group
Ekiaki is one of those wrecks that just makes you smile. Sitting in a ludicrously shallow one metre of water, it’s a fully exposed fishing vessel, around 35 metres long. We love how the Tongan sun glints off the barnacled superstructure, with the occasional white tern perched on the highest point. You can literally snorkel it, but we prefer a mask and fins and a leisurely fin around the hull, peering into the shadows. It's a fantastic spot for photographers, especially early morning or late afternoon when the light is softer. The sheer amount of small fish darting in and out of the rusted metal is incredible. Look for juvenile emperor angelfish and the electric flash of damselfish. Our favourite is watching the octopus change colours as you swim by. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a tiny reef shark cruising the perimeter. It’s not a challenging dive, just pure, simple wreck exploration.
- Location
- Ha'apai Group, Tonga, Central & South Pacific
- Coordinates
- -19.936666, -174.730830
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 1m
Marine Protected Area: Matuku SMA
Best Time to Dive in Ha'apai Group
The warmest water temperatures in Ha'apai Group occur in January, averaging 27.5°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.5°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 27.5°C (air: 26.9°C)
- February: 27.5°C (air: 26.8°C)
- March: 27.5°C (air: 26.8°C)
- April: 27.5°C (air: 26.5°C)
- May: 27.5°C (air: 25.5°C)
- June: 27.5°C (air: 24.5°C)
- July: 27.5°C (air: 23.9°C)
- August: 27.5°C (air: 23.3°C)
- September: 27.5°C (air: 23.8°C)
- October: 27.5°C (air: 24.2°C)
- November: 27.5°C (air: 25.3°C)
- December: 27.5°C (air: 26.3°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Ha'apai Group
- Ha'apai Reef - 5-20m (reef)
- MESNA - 0m (wreck)
- Uoleva Drop-off - 10-40m (wall)
Nearest Dive Centres to EKIAKI
- Matafonua Lodge & Dive Resort - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Ha'apai Group
Home to 294 recorded species including 279 reef fish, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 sea cucumbers, 3 sharks & rays, 1 sea urchins, 1 crabs & lobsters.
Notable Species
- Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
- Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
- Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
- Blue-lined Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - Reef Fish
- Dusky Parrotfish (Scarus niger) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma hardwicke) - Reef Fish
- Banded Goatfish (Parupeneus multifasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Schlegel's Parrotfish (Scarus schlegeli) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma lutescens) - Reef Fish
- Dot and dash Butterflyfish (Chaetodon pelewensis) - Reef Fish
- Coral Beauty (Centropyge bispinosa) - Reef Fish
- Bird wrasse (Gomphosus varius) - Reef Fish
- Kihikihi (Zanclus cornutus) - Reef Fish
- Rainbowfish (Halichoeres hortulanus) - Reef Fish
- Redfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus) - Reef Fish
- Clown Tang (Naso lituratus) - Reef Fish
- Bandcheek wrasse (Oxycheilinus digramma) - Reef Fish
- Black-backed Wrasse (Anampses neoguinaicus) - Reef Fish
- Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) - Reef Fish
- Citron Butterfly (Chaetodon citrinellus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for EKIAKI
Based on average water temperature of 27.5°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°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