Page 421 - Melanesia

When to go: April to October is dry season. July to October is the best thedivecentre-rarotonga.com, www.thedivecentre-rarotonga.com
time to see humpback whales. November to March is cyclone season. (DNZ147)

Wetsuit required: 3-5mm Situated in the Southern Island Group, this tropical paradise is a won-
Visibility: 30-60 meters derful retreat and the best place to enjoy all that the Cook Islands
Diving types: Reefs plus walls, caves and wrecks. have to offer. Here life moves at its own pace, otherwise known as
Experience Level: Beginner to Experienced. ‘Raro time,’ with a mellow laidback atmosphere making it the ideal
DIVE OPERATIONS destination for those looking to kickback and relax. If you ever get
Dive Aitutaki with Bubbles Below - Explore Aitutaki’s underwater tired of relaxing, don’t worry as there are plenty of activities to enjoy
world with Bubbles Below. Only 40 minutes from mainland Raro- on Rarotonga from diving and snorkeling to fishing, hiking, sailing,
tonga to the picturesque island of Aitutaki. PADI dive courses Be- kayaking, swimming, horseback riding and surfing. The youngest of
ginner to Dive Master. Manned boats during dives! Safety and enjoy- the Cook Islands, Rarotonga derives its name from the words ‘raro’
ment paramount. ‘Take only Memories & Leave only Bubbles Dive which means down and ‘tonga’ which means south, as this island is
Safe, Dive Rite, Dive Bubbles Below. E: bubblesbelow@aitutaki.net.ck, the second southern most of the Cooks. According to local legend,
www.diveaitutaki.com (DNZ152) this island was first found by Io Tangaroa of Nuku Hiva Island in the
Neil Mitchell’s Aitutaki Scuba- On the picturesque lagoon of Aitutaki, Marquesas. A historically important Polynesian island, Rarotonga to-
256kms north of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Diving Aitutaki Atoll since day, is home to the Cook Islands capital of Avarua. The most devel-
1983. Coming up 30 years now; we must be doing something right. oped of all the islands, banks, ATMs, internet cafes and a hospital can
Our motto: safety and fun before money. No gimmicks, just great div- all be found here.
ing. Owner: Neil Mitchell, PADI 452677, NAUI 8812. P: (682) 56-103. With a climate very much like Hawaii’s, the only difference is that the
E: scuba@aitutaki.net.ck (DNZ152) seasons are opposite with Rarotonga lying south of the equator. A
The Dive Centre – The Big Fish PADI 5-star dive operator. Services: unique travel experience, getting around Rarotonga is rather easy with
intro/lagoon dives, 2 tank dive trips twice a day, courses, retail and a main coastal ring road running around the island, along which you
rental gear. 2 boats, boats are manned, 7 days, night dives. Aroa can find plenty of accommodations, hotels, resorts, restaurants, apart-
Beach by The Rarotongan Resort. P: 682 20238 or 682 55238, E: info@ ments, cafes, stores, rental shops, travel agencies and tourist offices.
The international airport lies on Rarotonga’s northwestern coast, with
Avarua situated on the north coast, 2 km east of the airport.