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ShipwreckCoral ReefBoat DiveUnverified

NBM Dive Site Resource

Maritime Reefer Wreck

Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands

A deliberately sunk fishing vessel on Rarotonga’s west coast, now storm-broken but retaining recognizable stern, rudder and propeller sections used by reef fish and morays.

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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
AccessGuided local-operator boat dive; weather and west-coast sea state determine access.
ExperienceOpen Water or equivalent for exterior touring; penetration is inappropriate without wreck training and operator authorization.
Maximum depthApproximately 14–30 m; wreckage is commonly described near 24–25 m.
Best seasonDiving operates year-round, but November–April is the wetter/cyclone season and south/east sites are often unavailable in prevailing southeasterly winds.
VisibilityOften 20–40 m in settled offshore conditions; visibility varies with swell, plankton and passage flow.

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-21.23000, -159.83600
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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

Broken fishing-vessel wreck, propeller, rudder, lionfish, morays and photography.

Before you arrive

Access notes

Treat all positions as approximate and follow the operator’s mooring and descent plan.

Plan within your training

Conditions and hazards

Sharp metal, entanglement, unstable wreckage, depth and surge; no artifact removal. Rarotonga is remote from advanced hyperbaric care; use conservative profiles, appropriate insurance and an operator emergency plan.

At the site

Facilities and support

Operator boat, guides, rental equipment and shore facilities on Rarotonga.

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.