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CavernCoral ReefBoat DiveUnverified

NBM Dive Site Resource

Swallows Cave

Neiafu, Vavaʻu, Tonga

A large sea cave at Kapa Island with a broad entrance, dramatic light beams and schooling baitfish over a shallow profile.

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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 boat dive or snorkel from Vavaʻu; scuba route and cave entry depend on sea state and operator briefing.
ExperienceOpen Water for the open, shallow chamber in calm conditions; Advanced/cavern skills if an overhead route is planned
Maximum depthCave and adjacent reef generally surface to approximately 18 m
Best seasonVisited year-round when conditions allow; whale-season traffic is highest July–October.
VisibilityOften 15–30 m, with light and visibility changing near the entrance in swell.

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.
The exact Swallows Cave on Kapa Island in Vavaʻu, Tonga.
Swallows Cave on Kapa Island, the exact named Vavaʻu dive site.David Broad, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0Source ↗
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-18.68300, -174.04700
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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

Light beams, dense baitfish, reef fish, cavern scenery and shallow photography.

Before you arrive

Access notes

Watch surface traffic and use the authorized operator entry. The displayed point is not a boat approach or cave-entry waypoint.

Plan within your training

Conditions and hazards

Boat traffic, submerged rock, surge, low ceiling clearance, overhead risk and disorientation. Stay out of enclosed areas beyond training.

At the site

Facilities and support

Vavaʻu operators offer boats, guides and gear; confirm oxygen, current schedule and emergency arrangements.

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.