Sunset Lava Tubes
Discover a remarkable coral shelf that gracefully ascends from 18m to just 5m beneath the glistening surface of the water. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of a cavern and small tunnel system, replete with multiple exits above, offering an intriguing exploration opportunity. This easily navigable overhead environment is a haven for divers of all levels, from beginners to advanced, looking to catch a glimpse of fascinating marine life such as nudibranches, lionfish, scorpionfish, cowrie shells, and anemones. With a visibility of 12m and a maximum depth of 12m, this dive site in the Cook Islands is conveniently located near The Cook Oasis Holiday Villa, Ara Tapu, Avatiu, Nikao, Puaikura, Rarotonga. Immerse yourself in this captivating underwater paradise and indulge in a truly enriching diving experience.
Diving Conditions Score for Sunset Lava Tubes
5
AverageAverage conditions, be alert.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Sunset Lava Tubes
Depth
12m
Visibility
12m
Experience Level
beginner
advanced
Weather Conditions for Sunset Lava Tubes
Wave Height
3.08m
Wind Speed
40.7 m/s
Water Temp
24.3°C
Visibility
1.8km
Cloud Cover
100%
Wave Period
10.3s
Air Temperature
22.7°C
Precipitation
5.9 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Sunset Lava Tubes
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for Sunset Lava Tubes
Best time to dive: 8:00 with score 5.156666666666667/10. Water conditions: Waves 2.98m, Wind 28.9 m/s.Best night dive time: 23:00 with score 4.524333333333334/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at Sunset Lava Tubes: 06:00
Sunset at Sunset Lava Tubes: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at Sunset Lava Tubes are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Best Overall
8:00Score: 5.2/10
Waves: 2.98m (10.05s), Wind: 28.9 m/s
Best Night
23:00Score: 4.5/10
Waves: 2.38m, Wind: 28.3 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Sunset Lava TubesAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Sunset Lava Tubes
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for Sunset Lava Tubes
Summer
Avg. Score: 9.3/10
Summer offers the warmest water temperatures and generally favorable conditions for all levels of divers.
Best Months for Sunset Lava Tubes
June
Score: 9.5
July
Score: 9.4
May
Score: 9.2
Ideal Conditions for Sunset Lava Tubes
Water Temp
25.4°C / 77.7°F
May
Visibility
11.9m / 39.0ft
July
Wave Height
2.1m / 6.9ft
March
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Sunset Lava Tubes
Sunset Lava Tubes follows southern hemisphere patterns with May being the warmest month (25.4°C) and November the coldest (19.8°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in March with average wave heights of 2.1m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in March with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). July is usually the driest month with 0.1mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during March to May, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 22, 2026
Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.
28 Dive sites near Sunset Lava Tubes in
Sunset Lava Tubes
FV Maritime Reefer
Arorangi Drop Off
Blackrock
Arorangi Passage
Runway
Aroa Rā’ui
Panama
Rutaki Drop Off
Rutaki Passage
Avatiu Drop Off
Papua Passage
Papua Drop Off
Goldmine
R.M.S. Maitai
Avarua Passage
Edna’s Anchor
Ngatipa Reef
Pue Coral Gardens
M.V. Mataora
Avaavaroa Passage
Avaavaroa Drop Off
Queens Reef
Tupapa Sandriver
Matavera Wall
Matavera Point
Ngatangiia School
Avana Passage
Got feedback?
Help us improve this dive site by giving us feedback.