10 Best Dive Sites in Niue

1. Snake Gully

One of Niue’s signature dives, Snake Gully takes you down no more than 20 m (65.6 ft) to explore a gully teeming with Niue’s endemic sea snake, the katuali. You’ll also encounter a number of other reef dwellers including Maori wrasse, surgeonfish, regal angelfish, long-nose butterfish, as well as reef sharks, barracuda and eels. Another common sight is painted crayfish.

Learn more about Niue’s marine life in A Traveller’s Guide to the Wildlife in Niue.

(c) M. Crawford - Niue Tourism

2. The Chimney

An interesting underwater formation, The Chimney has divers descend down a vertical hole just 5 m (16.4 ft) below the surface. You’ll drop down “The Chimney” to around 27 m (88.6 ft) until you reach what is called “The Fireplace” which opens up into the great blue. What’s more, you’ll likely see cave dwellers such as crayfish.

(c) BAND - Niue Tourism

3. Limu Twin Caves

Not only does Limu Twin Caves give you the excitement of cave diving but also offers a wealth of amazing marine life. Also called “Ana Mahaga”, the Limu Twin Caves are two large caverns dropping from 6 to 28 m (19.7 to 92 ft) with a tunnel connecting them. See scorpionfish, reef sharks, Napolean wrasse, sea kraits, spotted rock cod, nudibranchs and more.

(c) BAND - Niue Tourism

4. Tamakautoga Reef

This stretch of hard coral reef is not just one dive site but is home to many dive sites. There’s a site here for just about everyone on this sloping reef, with coral continuing past 40 m (131 ft) for deep divers, as well as plenty to also see in the shallows if you’re newly certified.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

5. Whale Cave

Whale Cave is named after its features like a whale, from the “Whale’s Belly” to the “Ribs” to the “Blow Hole”. While the Whale’s Belly can be accessed by snorkellers at low tide, scuba divers can explore further, diving into the rear of the cave before surfacing at the blowhole. Learn more about snorkelling to the Whale’s Belly in The Best Guided Snorkelling Tours in Niue.

(c) BAND - Niue Tourism

6. Bubble Cave

Another cave for certified divers to explore is the shallow but dark Bubble Cave. The only light shining into this cave is from the entrance, so there’s a great sense of diving into the unknown. As a little spoiler, you’ll emerge at a chamber awash with stalactites and possibly sea snakes that come to lay their eggs here. For some caves to explore in and below the island, see The 10 Most Stunning Caves in Niue.

(c) BAND - Niue Tourism

7. The Dome

Speaking of dark places, The Dome is another you’ll want to take a torch for. After a 30 m (98 ft) dive in and under the island, you’ll emerge at a chamber home to uga (coconut crabs). The roofed cave has a small hint of light to remind you of the world above, but note that the only way out is to dive down 8 m (26 ft) to the cave’s base.

(c) BAND - Niue Tourism

8. Tunnel Vision

For more interesting seascapes to explore, one of the most fascinating is Tunnel Vision. This rocky dive takes you through a narrow curved tunnel with a light chamber where you can surface.

(c) BAND - Niue Tourism

9. Alofi Wharf

One for the intro dives, Alofi Wharf might not look like a dream dive from the surface but there are lots to unpack in the reef south of the wharf. This dive straight from shore has a varied amount of reef species, from sea snakes to the occasional sea turtle. It’s also possible to snorkel from Alofi Wharf as long as you are a competent ocean swimmer and swim at low tide. See more snorkelling spots in the 10 Best Places to Snorkel in Niue.

© NiuePocketGuide.com

10. Tepa Point

A deep dive on the edge of Avatele Bay, Tepa Point is an amazing example of where Niue’s surrounding reef suddenly drops into the deep blue. Descend the drop-off where you’ll be faced with a staggering wall of coral and sea life in its underwater metropolis.

(c) BAND - Niue Tourism