The Top Scuba Diving Companies in Vava’u
Crystal clear waters, stunning reef systems, drop-offs, swim-throughs, caves, tunnels, wrecks… Vava’u has variety. Mix it with unbelievable visibility and you have the perfect blend of conditions for scuba diving. There are around 170 marine species in Vava’u’s waters, including turtles, sharks, large pelagics, parrotfish, eagle rays, manta rays, moray eels, nudibranchs and much much more! Although most dive operators in Vava’u have switched to focusing solely on whale swimming during the whale season, there are still a couple of dive operators eager to show you this place in paradise. Compare your options with this list of scuba diving tours in Vava’u.
Note that Vava’u currently does not have operators who can provide dive courses. See The Guide to Scuba Diving in Tonga to learn more about alternative options in Tonga.
Riki Tiki Tours
The only dive operator available all year round (even taking divers out during the whale season), Riki Tiki Tours offers boat transport and equipment hire for divers. Found at the wharf by the Mango Cafe, Riki can take you to the best scuba diving sites to suit your abilities (for certified divers only) and that are best suited to the conditions. Riki offers small group tours of up to six people on the boat at one time. Bring your own water, lunch, etc. His snorkelling trips are also very popular, which you can learn more about in the 5 Best Snorkelling Tours in Vava’u.
Location: Tours depart from Fangafoa Marina (near Mango Cafe), Neiafu, ‘Utu Vava’u.
Beluga Diving
A long-established dive centre in Vava’u, Beluga Diving provides a number of exciting dive trips for certified divers. They offer two-tank boat dives with equipment rental as required, as well as a one-tank wreck dive. Diving trips include light refreshments of tea, coffee and fruit. However, tours require a minimum of five people on the boat for trips to go ahead. Beluga Diving only operates scuba diving trips outside of the whale season. Otherwise, they also run whale tours and accommodation at the Flying Annie Moa, which you can learn more about in Where to Stay in Vava’u: The Best Accommodations.
Location: Tours depart from Fangafoa Marina (near Mango Cafe), Neiafu, ‘Utu Vava’u.
[CLOSED] Tongan Expeditions
[Update: Tongan Expeditions are no longer running scuba diving trips. They now only operate whale swimming during the whale season.]
Part of Tongan Expeditions’ array of water activities, they also offer scuba diving as part of their five-star PADI dive centre. Tongan Expeditions offer two-tank dives with all of the diving equipment included, as well as snacks and a hot drink. They also do PADI diving courses should you want to get your diving certification or move your diving to the next level. Additionally, Tongan Expeditions offers whale swimming tours between July and October, as well as fishing charters.
[CLOSED] Dolphin Pacific Diving
[Update: Dolphin Pacific Diving are no longer running scuba diving trips. They now only operate whale swimming during the whale season.]
Certified divers, take a look at Dolphin Pacific Diving. Their two-tank dive trips include all the diving rental gear and take you to the best dive sites for your abilities and the conditions on the day. Trips include a full lunch and snacks, making Dolphin Pacific Diving the only diving company including lunch their tours. The mantra of the crew is to not rush divers and to get to know each other. The company has also hosted the BBC for wildlife documentaries.
[CLOSED] Dive Tonga
Operating a five-star PADI dive shop from Neiafu, Dive Tonga are well worth considering for your dive trip in Vava’u. Offering scuba diving tours, intro dives and PADI dive courses all year round, Dive Tonga can take you to awesome dive sites including their favourites: No Worries, Split Rock, China Town, Sea Fans, Swallows’ Cave and Pelagic Pinnacle. All scuba diving tours include two dives with all of the gear included as needed, light refreshments, pick-up from resorts and more! Dive Tonga also provides snorkelling, freediving, spearfishing and swimfari experiences. Check out more snorkelling tours in Vava’u here.
More About Dive Shops and Scuba Diving Operators in Vava’u
That’s it for our list of dive shops and scuba diving operators in Vava’u. Learn more about scuba diving in Vava’u in the following guides:
- 5 Best Dive Shops & Operators in Tonga
- The Best Scuba Diving in Vava’u: Top 10 Places to Scuba Dive
- 10 Best Dive Sites in Tonga
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Vava’u.
Author
Robin (Lopini) C.
This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with the Ministry of Tourism of Tonga. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.