Arorangi Drop Off

Sloping reef with coral bommies, currents, eagle rays, predators.

Boat Access
10m Avg Depth
21m Max Depth

About this dive site

This dive site, Arorangi Drop Off, is located directly in front of the Arorangi Passage in the Cook Islands. Divers will explore a gradually sloping reef adorned with massive coral bommies, providing a rich and varied underwater landscape. While no specific history or story is provided, its position near a passage suggests it's a natural aggregation point for marine life, often navigated as a drift dive due to the prevailing currents. The site features a drop-off, offering diverse topography to explore.

The site is renowned for its pelagic encounters, with frequent sightings of eagle rays and other larger predators such as trevallys. Lionfish can also be found amongst the reef structures, along with a vibrant array of reef fish. The massive coral bommies themselves host a healthy ecosystem of various coral types and smaller invertebrates.

The best time to visit this site is generally during the Cook Islands' dry season (May to October) when weather is more stable, though the strong currents are a consistent feature that attract the larger marine life. Due to these currents, it's particularly well-suited for intermediate to advanced divers comfortable with drift diving. Freedivers can also find the depths and pelagic action appealing, but should be experienced and aware of current conditions. Snorkelers can explore the shallower sections of the sloping reef.

Diving Freediving Snorkeling

Plan Your Visit

drift divecoral reefwall divesharkeagle raystrong currentswide angle

Marine Life

coral typestrevallyreef fishlionfisheagle rayshark

Things to Note

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Frequent currents and pelagic encounters require good buoyancy and current awareness.

Hazards:
strong currentsdepth
Current Strength:

Strong

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