NZ 4031 - Funafuti Atoll
NZ 4031 isn't your typical Tuvalu reef dive. This is for the wreck heads, the history buffs, and anyone who appreciates a good story with their bottom time. What we have here is an old aircraft, a real piece of history that crashed on takeoff, according to the Pacific Islands Monthly back in '81. It sits at a manageable 20 meters, meaning you get good light penetration and plenty of time to explore. We love the eerie quiet down there, the way the light filters through the water and plays on the twisted metal. You can spend a good chunk of your dive picking out bits of fuselage, imagining the plane's final moments. It’s been down there long enough for the reef to start claiming it, so expect to see some interesting growth and a surprising number of smaller reef fish darting in and out of the wreckage. It's not a huge site, but it's one of our favourite spots for a contemplative dive, a real contrast to the vibrant outer reefs. Go early to avoid any surge, and take your time.
- Location
- Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu, Central & South Pacific
- Coordinates
- -8.500000, 179.183330
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 20m
Marine Protected Area: Funafuti
Best Time to Dive in Funafuti Atoll
The warmest water temperatures in Funafuti Atoll occur in January, averaging 30.3°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 30.3°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 30.3°C (air: 28.0°C)
- February: 30.3°C (air: 27.9°C)
- March: 30.3°C (air: 28.0°C)
- April: 30.3°C (air: 28.1°C)
- May: 30.3°C (air: 28.1°C)
- June: 30.3°C (air: 28.0°C)
- July: 30.3°C (air: 27.8°C)
- August: 30.3°C (air: 27.6°C)
- September: 30.3°C (air: 27.6°C)
- October: 30.3°C (air: 27.8°C)
- November: 30.3°C (air: 28.0°C)
- December: 30.3°C (air: 28.0°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Funafuti Atoll
- Funafuti Conservation Area - 5-20m (reef)
- Funafuti South Pass - 10-30m (reef)
- SISCO - 0m (wreck)
- Te Ava Tepuka - 10-35m (reef)
- VAN CAMP NO 1 - 0m (wreck)
Marine Life in Funafuti Atoll
Home to 162 recorded species including 111 reef fish, 26 hard corals, 9 sea cucumbers, 7 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 sharks & rays, 2 clams & mussels.
Notable Species
- Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
- Burrowing urchin (Echinometra mathaei) - Sea Urchins
- Giant spider conch (Lambis truncata) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Manini (Acanthurus triostegus) - Reef Fish
- Amberfish (Thelenota anax) - Sea Cucumbers
- Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
- Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
- Prickly Redfish (Thelenota ananas) - Sea Cucumbers
- Acropora Butterfly (Chaetodon trifascialis) - Reef Fish
- Banded Goatfish (Parupeneus multifasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Fluted clam (Tridacna squamosa) - Clams & Mussels
- Tigerfish (Bohadschia argus) - Sea Cucumbers
- Black Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigricans) - Reef Fish
- Redfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus) - Reef Fish
- Orange-lined Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) - Reef Fish
- Kihikihi (Zanclus cornutus) - Reef Fish
- Blue-lined Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - Reef Fish
- Clown Tang (Naso lituratus) - Reef Fish
- Argus Grouper (Cephalopholis argus) - Reef Fish
- Banded maori wrasse (Cheilinus fasciatus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for NZ 4031
Based on average water temperature of 30.3°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°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