Up to 100 bull sharks on one dive inside Fiji's first National Marine Park

Region
Diving in the Pacific Islands
44 curated dive destinations across 17 countries including Chile and Cook Islands in the Pacific Islands. Conditions peak around Jul, Aug and Sep.
Beqa Lagoon · photo Jay Brasher
- Destinations
- 44
- Countries
- 17
- Peak season
- Jul–Sep
Common encountersReef sharksSea turtlesTrevally & jacksBarracudaEagle rays
Diving by country
- French Polynesia10
- Fiji6
- United States5
- Micronesia4
- Vanuatu3
- France2
- Marshall Islands2
- New Caledonia2
- Northern Mariana Islands2
- Chile1
- Cook Islands1
- Guam1
- Niue1
- Palau1
- Samoa1
- Tonga1
- Wallis and Futuna1
What is diving in the Pacific Islands like?
The Pacific Islands divide between the reefs and wrecks of Micronesia and the atolls of Polynesia. In Micronesia, divers hook into the reef at Blue Corner in Palau while grey reef sharks patrol the current, resident manta rays cruise cleaning stations on Yap, and Chuuk Lagoon holds dozens of intact Second World War wrecks. Bikini Atoll adds sunken battleships and an aircraft carrier in a former nuclear test lagoon.
French Polynesia is pass diving on the tide: dolphins ride the current alongside sharks through Tiputa Pass at Rangiroa, and hundreds of grey reef sharks pack South Pass at Fakarava during the June grouper spawn. Fiji is soft coral and sharks, from the current-fed Great White Wall at Rainbow Reef to the bull sharks of Beqa Lagoon, and Kona in Hawaii runs a nightly manta dive.
Best diving in the Pacific Islands for wrecks, big animals, beginners, macro and liveaboards
One destination per theme, picked from the species, dive types, access and site records on each destination page.
Wrecks
Chuuk Lagoon
Micronesia
Its dive sites take in 18 wrecks, including Aikoku Maru and Mitsubishi G4M Betty.
Big animals
Beqa Lagoon
Fiji
Bull sharks, tiger sharks and mobula rays are all on its species list, as many as any destination here.
Beginners
Rarotonga & Aitutaki
Cook Islands
Rated for beginners, with mild current and shore diving. Best May–Oct.
Macro
Yap
Micronesia
Muck and macro diving is one of its main dive types, with nudibranchs and mandarinfish on the species list.
Liveaboards
Bikini Atoll
Marshall Islands
Dived only from liveaboards, best Apr–Nov; oceanic whitetips are on its species list.
When is the best time to dive the Pacific Islands?
The busiest stretch is July–October: in September, 21 of the 44 destinations here are in peak season.
November is the leanest month, when Isle of Pines, New Caledonia and Raiatea & Taha'a are still at their best.
Fakarava, Guam, Isle of Pines and 14 more rate good or better in every month.
| Month | Prime | Good |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 10 | 15 |
| Feb | 10 | 14 |
| Mar | 11 | 19 |
| Apr | 13 | 25 |
| May | 15 | 27 |
| Jun | 15 | 23 |
| Jul | 18 | 19 |
| Aug | 20 | 17 |
| Sep | 21 | 18 |
| Oct | 17 | 24 |
| Nov | 3 | 36 |
| Dec | 9 | 18 |
Compare every destination in the Pacific Islands
Tap a column heading to sort.
| Beqa Lagoon Fiji | Jun–Aug | 24–29°C | Intermediate | Bull sharks | Day boat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bikini Atoll Marshall Islands | Apr–Nov | 27–30°C | Advanced | Reef sharks | Liveaboard |
| Bligh Water & Vatu-i-Ra Fiji | Apr–Oct | 24–29°C | Intermediate | Pristine corals | Day boat, Liveaboard |
| Bora Bora French Polynesia | May–Oct | 26–31°C | Intermediate | Reef sharks | Day boat |
| Chuuk Lagoon Micronesia | Dec–Mar | 28–30°C | Intermediate | Trevally & jacks | Day boat, Liveaboard |
| Espiritu Santo — SS Coolidge Vanuatu | Apr–Nov | 24–29°C | Advanced | Sea turtles | Shore, Day boat |
| Fakarava French Polynesia | Jun–Jul | 26–29°C | Advanced | Reef sharks | Day boat, Liveaboard |
| Guam | Year-round | 27–30°C | Intermediate | Reef fish swarms | Shore, Day boat |
| Hilo United States | Apr–Oct | 24–27°C | Intermediate | Sea turtles | Shore, Day boat |
| Huahine French Polynesia | Aug–Oct | 26–31°C | Intermediate | Reef sharks | Day boat |
| Isle of Pines New Caledonia | Nov–May | 22–27°C | Beginner | Reef sharks | Day boat |
| Kadavu & the Great Astrolabe Reef Fiji | Apr–Oct | 24–29°C | Intermediate | Manta rays | Day boat, Liveaboard |
| Kauaʻi — Poipu & the South Shore United States | May–Sep | 22–28°C | Intermediate | Sea turtles | Shore, Day boat |
| Kona United States | Dec–Apr | 24–27°C | Intermediate | Manta rays | Shore, Day boat |
| Kosrae Micronesia | Feb–Apr | 27–30°C | Beginner | Pristine corals | Day boat |
| Lifou New Caledonia | Apr–May | 23–28°C | Intermediate | Sea turtles | Shore, Day boat |
| Majuro & Mili Marshall Islands | Mar–May | 28–30°C | Intermediate | Reef sharks | Day boat |
| Maui, Molokini & Lānaʻi United States | Apr–Oct | 23–27°C | Intermediate | Whales | Shore, Day boat |
| Maupiti French Polynesia | Jun–Oct | 27–29°C | Beginner | Manta rays | Day boat |
| Moorea French Polynesia | Aug–Oct | 26–29°C | Intermediate | Reef sharks | Shore, Day boat |
| New Caledonia France | Sep–Nov | 21–27°C | Intermediate | Reef sharks | Shore, Day boat |
| Niue | Jul–Sep | 25–28°C | Intermediate | Sea snakes | Shore, Day boat |
| Nuku Hiva French Polynesia | Jan–Feb | 27–28°C | Intermediate | Hammerheads | Day boat |
| Oʻahu United States | May–Oct | 23–28°C | Intermediate | Sea turtles | Shore, Day boat |
| Palau | Dec–Apr | 27–30°C | Intermediate | Reef sharks | Day boat, Liveaboard |
| Pohnpei Micronesia | Nov–Apr | 27–29°C | Intermediate | Manta rays | Day boat |
| Poindimié & Hienghène France | May–Nov | 20–28°C | Intermediate | Pygmy seahorses | Day boat |
| Port Vila & Efate Vanuatu | Jul–Sep | 24–30°C | Intermediate | Sea turtles | Shore, Day boat |
| Raiatea & Taha'a French Polynesia | Sep–Nov | 26–31°C | Intermediate | Reef sharks | Day boat |
| Rainbow Reef & Namena Fiji | Jun–Oct | 24–29°C | Advanced | Manta rays | Day boat, Liveaboard |
| Rangiroa French Polynesia | Dec–Apr | 26–29°C | Advanced | Dolphins | Day boat |
| Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Chile | Dec–Mar | 21–25°C | Advanced | Sea turtles | Shore, Day boat |
| Rarotonga & Aitutaki Cook Islands | May–Oct | 24–28°C | Beginner | Whales | Shore, Day boat |
| Rota Northern Mariana Islands | Mar–Sep | 28–30°C | Intermediate | Sea turtles | Day boat |
| Saipan & Tinian Northern Mariana Islands | Dec–May | 27–30°C | Advanced | Eagle rays | Shore, Day boat |
| Savai'i & Upolu Samoa | May–Oct | 27–30°C | Intermediate | Sea turtles | Shore, Day boat |
| Savusavu & Natewa Bay Fiji | Year-round | 22–30°C | Intermediate | Hammerheads | Day boat, Liveaboard |
| Tahiti & Teahupo'o French Polynesia | Aug–Oct | 26–29°C | Beginner | Reef sharks | Day boat |
| Tanna & Lenakel Vanuatu | Apr–Nov | 24–28°C | Beginner | Dugongs & manatees | Shore, Day boat |
| Tikehau French Polynesia | Apr–Oct | 26–29°C | Intermediate | Manta rays | Day boat |
| Vava'u Tonga | Jul–Oct | 24–28°C | Intermediate | Whales | Day boat |
| Wallis Island (Uvea) Wallis and Futuna | Year-round | 28–30°C | Intermediate | Manta rays | Day boat |
| Yap Micronesia | Dec–Mar | 27–30°C | Intermediate | Manta rays | Shore, Day boat |
| Yasawa Islands Fiji | May–Oct | 23–30°C | Intermediate | Manta rays | Shore, Day boat |
Destination guides
44 guides
Dive sites in the Pacific Islands
214 named sites · 44 destinations
Beqa LagoonFiji
4 sites
- Caesar's RocksPinnacle · 5–30 m
- Frigates WallsWall · 3–30 m
- Seven SistersPinnacle · 5–28 m
- Shark Reef Marine ReserveReef · 5–30 m
Bikini AtollMarshall Islands
3 sites
- NagatoWreck · to 33.5 m
- USS ArkansasWreck · to 55 m
- USS SaratogaWreck · 27–38 m
Bligh Water & Vatu-i-RaFiji
5 sites
- Black Magic MountainPinnacle · 5–36 m
- E-6Seamount · 1–40 m
- Golden DreamReef · 3–36 m
- Mellow YellowPinnacle · 3–40 m
- Mount MutinySeamount · 1–40 m
Bora BoraFrench Polynesia
5 sites
- AnauReef · to 25 m
- HaapitiReef · to 30 m
- Muri MuriDrift · 18–37 m
- TapuWall · to 40 m
- ToopuaWall · to 30 m
Chuuk LagoonMicronesia
18 sites
- Aikoku MaruWreck · 30–61 m
- Betty BomberWreck · 15–21 m
- Fujikawa MaruWreck · 15–40 m
- FumizukiWreck · 24–37 m
- Gosei MaruWreck · 3–34 m
- Hanakawa MaruWreck · 3–30 m
- Heian MaruWreck · 12–33 m
- Hoki MaruWreck · 14–46 m
- I-169 SubmarineWreck · 34–40 m
- Kensho MaruWreck · 27–40 m
- Kiyosumi MaruWreck · 12–30 m
- Nippo MaruWreck · 15–46 m
- Rio de Janeiro MaruWreck · 12–34 m
- San Francisco MaruWreck · 27–64 m
- Sankisan MaruWreck · 5–30 m
- Shinkoku MaruWreck · to 38 m
- Unkai MaruWreck · 9–40 m
- Yamagiri MaruWreck · 18–37 m
Espiritu Santo — SS CoolidgeVanuatu
3 sites
- Million Dollar PointArtificial reef · to 40 m
- The BowWreck · to 21 m
- The SternWreck · to 73 m
FakaravaFrench Polynesia
2 sites
- North Pass (Garuae)Channel & pass · 15–21 m
- South Pass (Tumakohua)Channel & pass · to 27 m
Guam
4 sites
- Blue HoleBlue hole · 18–40 m
- Gab Gab ReefReef · 3–37 m
- Piti Bomb HolesReef · to 9 m
- SMS Cormoran & Tokai MaruWreck · 24–37 m
HiloUnited States
2 sites
- Richardson Ocean ParkReef · 5–11 m
- Wai'olena Reef (Leleiwi)Reef · 8–21 m
HuahineFrench Polynesia
5 sites
- Avapehi PassChannel & pass · 15–26 m
- Fa'a MitiCoral garden · 12–27 m
- Fitii drop-offWall · 2–20 m
- L'Ancre d'AvapehiWall · 9–27 m
- Les ArchesCave & cavern · 6–40 m
Isle of PinesNew Caledonia
2 sites
- Gorgonian ValleyWall · 10–35 m
- Jardin d'EdenReef · 11–45 m
Kadavu & the Great Astrolabe ReefFiji
3 sites
- Manta ReefReef · to 15 m
- Naiqoro PassageChannel & pass · to 36 m
- Yellow WallPinnacle · to 28 m
Kauaʻi — Poipu & the South ShoreUnited States
8 sites
- Beach HouseReef · 11–21 m
- Brennekes LedgeDrift · 18–30 m
- General StoreReef · 20–30 m
- Koloa LandingReef · 6–18 m
- Sheraton CavernsCave & cavern · 11–21 m
- Three FingersReef · 8–23 m
- Turtle BluffsReef · 14–27 m
- Vertical AwarenessWall · to 21 m
KonaUnited States
7 sites
- Garden Eel CoveSand slope · 12–21 m
- Golden ArchesCave & cavern · to 9 m
- Kealakekua BayReef · 9–18 m
- Kona Blackwater DivePelagic & blue water · to 15 m
- Manta VillageNight · to 10 m
- Turtle PinnaclePinnacle · to 18 m
- Two Step (Honaunau Bay)Reef · 3–12 m
KosraeMicronesia
3 sites
- Hiroshi PointReef · to 6 m
- Shark IslandWall · 12–21 m
- Walung Coral GardensCoral garden · 12–18 m
LifouNew Caledonia
3 sites
- Bouée VerteReef · to 25 m
- Gorgones ReefPinnacle · to 30 m
- Tombant de la MarinaWall · to 13 m
Majuro & MiliMarshall Islands
2 sites
- Calalin ChannelChannel & pass · to 25 m
- Eneko Island LagoonLagoon · to 15 m
Maui, Molokini & LānaʻiUnited States
8 sites
- Black RockReef · to 10.7 m
- Cathedrals ICave & cavern · to 6 m
- Honolua BayReef · to 4 m
- Kahekili Beach ParkReef · 6–24 m
- Mala WharfArtificial reef · 6–12 m
- Molokini Back WallWall · to 9 m
- Molokini CraterReef · 6–15 m
- WaileaReef · 4.6–12 m
MooreaFrench Polynesia
3 sites
- Eden ParkCoral garden · to 29 m
- Mur de corail / Coral WallReef · 15–20 m
- RotuiReef · to 15 m
New CaledoniaFrance
17 sites
- Boulari Plateau MantaDrift · to 13 m
- Épave du SnarkWreck · to 12 m
- Épave du UmboltWreck · to 20 m
- Ever PropérityWall · to 10 m
- Îlot MaîtreLagoon · 3–6 m
- Jardin de MarcDrift · 6–50 m
- La DiéppoiseWreck · to 25 m
- Le SournoisReef · 6–20 m
- Mur aux LochesWall · 5–25 m
- Pointe de DumbéaDrift · to 14 m
- Récif intérieur de DumbéaDrift · 6–14 m
- Récif PronyReef · 3–12 m
- Sea HorseWall · to 10 m
- Sèche CroissantCoral garden · to 8 m
- Spot aux surfeursWall · to 6 m
- Toho IIWreck · to 25 m
- Toho VWreck · to 25 m
Niue
3 sites
- Bubble CaveCave & cavern · 5–24 m
- ChimneyCave & cavern · 5–30 m
- Snake GullyCave & cavern · 5–30 m
Nuku HivaFrench Polynesia
1 site
- La Sentinelle aux MarteauxPelagic & blue water · 20–40 m
OʻahuUnited States
12 sites
- Hanauma BayReef · to 9 m
- Horseshoe ReefReef · to 12 m
- Kahala BargeWreck · 24–27 m
- Nashua Navy TugWreck · to 20 m
- San PedroWreck · 20–21 m
- Sea TigerWreck · 24–30 m
- Skimin’s ReefReef · 7–24 m
- Spitting CaveWall · 15–43 m
- Split RockWall · 34–40 m
- The MahiWreck · 18–24 m
- Turtle CanyonReef · to 11 m
- YO-257Wreck · 26–27 m
Palau
15 sites
- Big Drop OffWall · 1–37 m
- Blue CornerWall · 8–30 m
- Blue HolesCave & cavern · to 35 m
- Chandelier CaveCave & cavern · 4–11 m
- Chuyo MaruWreck · 12–40 m
- German ChannelChannel & pass · 3–40 m
- Helmet WreckWreck · 15–35 m
- Iro MaruWreck · 18–40 m
- Jake SeaplaneWreck · to 15 m
- Jellyfish LakeLagoon · to 15 m
- Palau Blackwater DivePelagic & blue water · to 16 m
- Peleliu WallWall · 10–30 m
- Siaes CornerWall · 3–37 m
- Siaes TunnelCave & cavern · to 40 m
- Ulong ChannelChannel & pass · to 13 m
PohnpeiMicronesia
6 sites
- Areu WallWall · 2–34 m
- Main PassDrift · 5–30 m
- Mwahnd PassDrift · 3–30 m
- Palikir BridgeChannel & pass · to 36 m
- Palikir PassChannel & pass · 6–37 m
- Palikir WallWall · 9–37 m
Poindimié & HienghèneFrance
3 sites
- Caverne d'Albi BabaCave & cavern · 40–60 m
- Just for NousPinnacle · to 25 m
- Tombant 60Wall · to 40 m
Port Vila & EfateVanuatu
4 sites
- Konanda WreckWreck · to 26 m
- The CathedralCave & cavern · to 25 m
- Twin BommiesReef · to 25 m
- West Side StoryReef · 6–30 m
Raiatea & Taha'aFrench Polynesia
5 sites
- Ceran PassDrift · 35–50 m
- Miri Miri OceanCoral garden · 10–20 m
- Miri PassDrift · 10–20 m
- Teavapiti PassDrift · to 29 m
- The Nordby WreckWreck · 18–29 m
Rainbow Reef & NamenaFiji
3 sites
- Great White WallWall · 15–25 m
- Kansas ReefPinnacle · to 29 m
- Rainbow PassageDrift · to 20 m
Rapa Nui (Easter Island)Chile
5 sites
- JardínReef · 6–33 m
- La CatedralCave & cavern · to 17 m
- Motu NuiWall · to 60 m
- OmohiReef · 20–30 m
- PuenteCave & cavern · to 35 m
Rarotonga & AitutakiCook Islands
2 sites
- Papua PassageChannel & pass · 8–22 m
- SandriverSand slope · 14–30 m
RotaNorthern Mariana Islands
4 sites
- Pearlman TunnelCave & cavern · to 35 m
- Rota HoleCave & cavern · to 18 m
- Seven ScrewsWreck · to 33 m
- Shoun MaruWreck · to 33 m
Saipan & TinianNorthern Mariana Islands
4 sites
- Eagle Ray CityReef · 9 m
- Naftan RockWall · 14–40 m
- Obyan BeachReef · 5–18 m
- The GrottoCave & cavern · 5–18 m
Savai'i & UpoluSamoa
2 sites
- Apolima GardensCoral garden · 8–40 m
- Palolo DeepCoral garden · to 18 m
Savusavu & Natewa BayFiji
4 sites
- ChimneysPinnacle · 3–22.5 m
- DreadlocksCoral garden · 5–20 m
- DreamhouseSeamount · 10–15 m
- Grand Central StationWall · to 27 m
Tahiti & Teahupo'oFrench Polynesia
2 sites
- Faille d'ArueWall · 5–25 m
- Hydravion et GoéletteWreck · 20–25 m
Tanna & LenakelVanuatu
5 sites
- Blue Cave AquariumCave & cavern · to 20 m
- Blue Hole OneCave & cavern · to 15 m
- Blue Hole TwoCave & cavern · to 20 m
- MV Jean PercyWreck · to 14 m
- White Grass House ReefReef · to 20 m
TikehauFrench Polynesia
3 sites
- PoitoReef · 5–15 m
- TeonaiWall · 6–50 m
- Tuheiava PassChannel & pass · to 30 m
Vava'uTonga
5 sites
- Clan McWilliamWreck · 24–37 m
- Coral GardensReef · 2–15 m
- Lua Tofua'aReef · 2–8 m
- The Coral CanyonsWall · to 20 m
- The PagodasReef · 3–18 m
Wallis Island (Uvea)Wallis and Futuna
6 sites
- Anchor of Captain Samuel WallisReef · to 42 m
- Islet of the Lepers (Nukuatea)Wall · to 35 m
- Lava TunnelCave & cavern · to 18 m
- Passe AvatoluDrift · to 20 m
- Potat de CarolineLagoon · 5–15 m
- US WWII bargesWreck · to 42 m
YapMicronesia
5 sites
- Goofnuw ChannelChannel & pass · 9–37 m
- Mi'il ChannelChannel & pass · 15–30 m
- O'Keefe's PassageChannel & pass · 9–37 m
- Valley of the RaysChannel & pass · 15–22 m
- Yap CavernsCave & cavern · 3–30 m
Yasawa IslandsFiji
6 sites
- Kuata Back ReefWall · 4–20 m
- Kuata Front ReefCoral garden · to 10 m
- Pandora ReefWall · 3–15 m
- PinnaclePinnacle · to 30 m
- Sea Fan CityWall · 3–28 m
- Tavaniko PointWall · 12–40 m





























