La Catedral is the most famous dive of Easter Island, a lava-tube passage through raised rock structures and caverns that look like the flying buttresses of a cathedral. It lies away from the bay and suits Advanced Open Water divers because the currents can be strong.
Also known as Catedral, The Cathedral.
Where it is and how deep
No published position for this site — the map shows Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and its other sites; operators know the mooring.
The dive
The route follows the Matu Tuatara, one of the best-known lava tubes of the island, as an underwater crossing between a series of raised rock structures and caverns. The structures are submerged rock formations, with the deepest part of the dive at 17 m.
Currents here can be strong, and handling them takes experience, which is why the dive is set for Advanced Open Water divers rather than for less experienced divers with a basic certification.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Prime |
Season follows Rapa Nui (Easter Island): Austral summer (Dec-Mar) brings the calmest seas and warmest water; austral winter (Jun-Aug) can bring swell that limits boat access to exposed sites.
Know before you go
- Currents can be strong, and handling them takes experience
Sources
- Buceo - Rapa Nui Dive Center — Rapa Nui Dive Center
- Los 5 mejores puntos de buceo en la Isla de Pascua — TrotandoMundos
- Scuba diving on Easter Island — The RTW Guys
More dive sites in Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
Reef
A coral-covered rock with arches of many sizes
Sharp islet cliffs where the birdman egg hunt took place
Reef
Crevice-split shoals holding lobsters and black jack
Cave & cavern
Arches and small caverns ending at Motu Tautara
Similar dives elsewhere
A half-flooded cave chamber entered only from underwater
Four linked sinkholes with tunnels out to the reef
Choose a route through tunnels from a giant reef hole
A dark cave you can surface inside, under large stalactites