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CaveBoat DiveTechnical DiveUnverified

NBM Dive Site Resource

Cathedral Cave

Ohonua, ʻEua, Tonga

A very large submerged sea cave beneath ʻEua, known for a cathedral-scale chamber, light shafts and reef fish.

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Historic Picture Placeholder

Old-fashioned maritime line drawing reserved for a future historic photograph
Historic Picture PlaceholderHistoric photograph pending research and rights review
WaterMarine
AccessRemote, weather-dependent guided boat dive. Confirm that a qualified current operator is actively serving ʻEua before travel.
ExperienceAdvanced; cavern/cave or technical training required according to the planned route
Maximum depthReported to extend to about 30 m
Best seasonGenerally best in the drier May–November period; access is highly weather- and operator-dependent.
VisibilityPotentially clear offshore but strongly affected by swell, surge and light loss inside the cave.

Aquatic life at this dive site

What divers may encounter

Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Site media

Photographs

Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending

Contributor media

Dive videos

Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending

Published reference location

Location map

The marker shows the public coordinates associated with this profile. Confirm current access, moorings, and departure details before the dive.
Published reference coordinates-21.33000, -174.96000
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Map zoom level 1 of 11

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Recent field observations

Diver-reported temperatures

Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.
Automatically checked
No recent diver reports from the past 14 days

A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.

Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.

Diver field observation

Report temperatures

Reports publish automatically when the date, depths, and temperatures pass the checks. You must be signed in to submit.

Depth readings

Why divers know this place

Highlights

Massive chamber, dramatic light, corals and schools of cardinalfish, butterflyfish and sweetlips.

Before you arrive

Access notes

No independent entry should be attempted. Obtain current operator confirmation, overhead plan, gas strategy and evacuation arrangements.

Plan within your training

Conditions and hazards

Full overhead, darkness, disorientation, surge, depth, possible decompression, remote surface support and very distant recompression care. Only appropriately trained and equipped divers.

At the site

Facilities and support

Remote access with no on-site dive facility guaranteed; verify boat, redundant gas, oxygen, communications and evacuation insurance.

Independent resource notice

This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.