Swallows Cave - Vava'u Group
Swallows Cave, in Tonga's Vava'u Group, is one of those places that just makes you grin. We’ve been through a fair few caves in our time, and this one consistently delivers. It's not a deep dive, peaking around 12 meters, so it’s perfect for newer divers or anyone who just wants an easy, beautiful experience. What we love most here are the light shafts. On a sunny day, they cut through the water like lasers, illuminating the schools of fusiliers that swirl around inside. Seriously, sometimes they're so thick they block your view of the exit. We've seen Mimic Surgeonfish darting through the beams, and Palespot Eviotas peering from the crevices. Keep an eye out for a well-camouflaged Flasher Scorpionfish on the rocky bottom, too – they're masters of disguise. The sheer volume of fish is impressive for a cave environment, and it's a great spot for some relaxed photography. Our top tip? Get there mid-morning for the best light, before any afternoon chop picks up. It’s an easy entry and exit, just a calm surface swim into the main chamber.
- Location
- Vava'u Group, Tonga, Central & South Pacific
- Coordinates
- -18.650000, -174.020000
- Type
- cave
- Maximum Depth
- 3-12m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: 'Utungake SMA
Best Time to Dive in Vava'u Group
The warmest water temperatures in Vava'u Group occur in January, averaging 27.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.8°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 27.8°C (air: 27.0°C)
- February: 27.8°C (air: 26.9°C)
- March: 27.8°C (air: 27.1°C)
- April: 27.8°C (air: 26.8°C)
- May: 27.8°C (air: 26.1°C)
- June: 27.8°C (air: 25.1°C)
- July: 27.8°C (air: 24.6°C)
- August: 27.8°C (air: 24.0°C)
- September: 27.8°C (air: 24.5°C)
- October: 27.8°C (air: 24.9°C)
- November: 27.8°C (air: 25.7°C)
- December: 27.8°C (air: 26.5°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Vava'u Group
- AX Factor Dive House Reef (wreck)
- AX Factor Dive House Reef (reef)
- CLAN MACWILLIAM - 30m (wreck)
- Clown fish city
- FANTASY - 10m (wreck)
- Fingers (cave)
- GLEN MACWILLIAM - 40m (wreck)
- Historic Dive Wreck Clan Mc William (reef)
- Mariner's Cave - 3-8m (cave)
- Playground - 20m
- The Arch - 10-25m (reef)
- Twin caves
Nearest Dive Centres to Swallows Cave
Marine Life in Vava'u Group
Home to 322 recorded species including 300 reef fish, 9 sea cucumbers, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 sharks & rays, 2 whales & dolphins, 2 hard corals.
Notable Species
- Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
- Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
- Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
- Schlegel's Parrotfish (Scarus schlegeli) - Reef Fish
- Blue-lined Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - Reef Fish
- Rivulated Parrotfish (Scarus rivulatus) - Reef Fish
- Banded Goatfish (Parupeneus multifasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Bleeker's Parrotfish (Chlorurus bleekeri) - Reef Fish
- Halfmoon triggerfish (Sufflamen chrysopterum) - Reef Fish
- Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) - Reef Fish
- Dusky Parrotfish (Scarus niger) - Reef Fish
- Kihikihi (Zanclus cornutus) - Reef Fish
- Atoll Butterflyfish (Chaetodon mertensii) - Reef Fish
- Hoeven's wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus) - Reef Fish
- Clown Tang (Naso lituratus) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma lutescens) - Reef Fish
- Coral Beauty (Centropyge bispinosa) - Reef Fish
- Bandcheek wrasse (Oxycheilinus digramma) - Reef Fish
- Desjardin's Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma velifer) - Reef Fish
- Redfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Swallows Cave
Based on average water temperature of 27.8°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°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