Diving in Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Rarotonga, capitol of the Cook Islands (formerly ruled by New Zealand,
but now independent) is in the middle of nowhere in the Pacific.

About 600 miles from the nearest French Polynesian island north-east of
it, and about the same distance from the Samoa islands north-west of it,
Rarotonga is a round shaped island exposed to the open ocean in all
directions. While our dive boat, a rubber dinghy with 4 divers, was
anchored a couple hundred yards from shore, my FIRST unforgettable
impression was the HUGE rolling swells (smooth as silk, with the LENGTH
of each wave well over 100 feet) pounding the shore with breakers that
would delight big-time surfers.

Such waves are quite typical in the middle of the Pacific, as where our
cruiseship is, in taking an entire day-and-a-half at sea to get back to
Raiatea (pronounced ray-ah-teh-ah) of the Society Islands of French
Polynesia, where we'll dive again tomorrow.

The dive itself was somewhat interesting but not particularly memorable.
Because of the huge swell above and the pounding waves at shore, as
far away as we were from shore, we could feel a strong surge even at
80-100 fsw. The surge at 50 fsw was like the surge in Hawaii at 15 fsw!

The visibility was great. At least 100 feet in all directions as well
as vertically down. We saw only a few blacktip sharks and a spotted
eagle ray, some colorful puffers, such as the guinea fowl, but mostly
"medium" Pacific fish otherwise.

It's unlikely that I'll ever dived there again. But I'll always be able
to say, "Been there. Done that."

-- Bob.

"Reef Fish" <Large_Nassau_Grouper@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8fb7380b.0404021017.33106378@posting.google.c om...
> Rarotonga, capitol of the Cook Islands (formerly ruled by New Zealand,
> but now independent) is in the middle of nowhere in the Pacific.
>
> About 600 miles from the nearest French Polynesian island north-east of
> it, and about the same distance from the Samoa islands north-west of it,
> Rarotonga is a round shaped island exposed to the open ocean in all
> directions. While our dive boat, a rubber dinghy with 4 divers, was
> anchored a couple hundred yards from shore, my FIRST unforgettable
> impression was the HUGE rolling swells (smooth as silk, with the LENGTH
> of each wave well over 100 feet) pounding the shore with breakers that
> would delight big-time surfers.

In 14 days, we never experienced anything like that inside the reef. Are
you perhaps talking about outside the cresting reef and therefore pounding
the reef with breakers?

>
> Such waves are quite typical in the middle of the Pacific, as where our
> cruiseship is, in taking an entire day-and-a-half at sea to get back to
> Raiatea (pronounced ray-ah-teh-ah) of the Society Islands of French
> Polynesia, where we'll dive again tomorrow.
>
> The dive itself was somewhat interesting but not particularly memorable.
> Because of the huge swell above and the pounding waves at shore, as
> far away as we were from shore, we could feel a strong surge even at
> 80-100 fsw. The surge at 50 fsw was like the surge in Hawaii at 15 fsw!

Interesting. In 14 days, we never experienced anything like that.

>
> The visibility was great. At least 100 feet in all directions as well
> as vertically down. We saw only a few blacktip sharks and a spotted
> eagle ray, some colorful puffers, such as the guinea fowl, but mostly
> "medium" Pacific fish otherwise.

Interesting. In 14 days, we never saw a black tip. Many, many white tips
though.

>
> It's unlikely that I'll ever dived there again. But I'll always be able
> to say, "Been there. Done that."

Me too. :^) Do you remember which site you dove? Matavura Wall perhaps?
Which dive op?

>
> -- Bob.

"chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada> wrote in message news:<PVIbc.20509$Ig.19073@pd7tw2no>...
> "Reef Fish" <Large_Nassau_Grouper@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:8fb7380b.0404031554.6b782a4f@posting.google.c om...
> > "chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada> wrote in message
> news:<ylkbc.15115$Ig.5801@pd7tw2no>...
> >
> >
> > > In 14 days, we never experienced anything like that inside the reef.
> >
> > We were never inside any reef, as stated in my post.
>
> Then how did you see the waves crashing up on the beach?

From the dive boat, off shore?

If you don't have anything of substance to comment, learn to keep your
mouth shut! I know it's hard for you, the bitch who is endemic to
rec.scuba.* and addicted to making noise and biting ankles.



> > > Interesting. In 14 days, we never experienced anything like that.
> >
> > Pity.
>
> No, everything was pretty good.

Not according to your own account 2 years ago.



> > > Matavura Wall perhaps?
> >
> > No!
>
> Too bad. That's the most awesome site in the area.

Too bad that's the only wall you dived in 14 days there.

-- Bob.

"Reef Fish" <Large_Nassau_Grouper@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8fb7380b.0404040930.94f5af0@posting.google.co m...
> "chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada> wrote in message
news:<PVIbc.20509$Ig.19073@pd7tw2no>...
> > "Reef Fish" <Large_Nassau_Grouper@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >
> > Then how did you see the waves crashing up on the beach?
>
> From the dive boat, off shore?

Aren't you sure?

> > > > Interesting. In 14 days, we never experienced anything like that.
> > >
> > > Pity.
> >
> > No, everything was pretty good.
>
> Not according to your own account 2 years ago.

:^) Made ya look!

> > > > Matavura Wall perhaps?
> > >
> > > No!
> >
> > Too bad. That's the most awesome site in the area.
>
> Too bad that's the only wall you dived in 14 days there.

Incorrect.

Reef Fish <Large_Nassau_Grouper@Yahoo.com> wrote:

>
> If you don't have anything of substance to comment, learn to keep your
> mouth shut!


LOL..............Coming from you that's some funny sh@t. Pot or kettle
your choice.