Niue Island
Overview
Niue is a very special South Pacific island destination, situated 410 km east of Tonga across the dateline. It is one single island, the largest coral land mass in the world, an uplifted coral atoll atop an old undersea volcano and rises off the sea bed out of the very deep Pacific Ocean.
Niue is blessed with great natural beauty inland, and a unique rugged coastline and small reef that provides superb fishing, diving and snorkelling. The surging Pacific Ocean has created soaring archways, deep chasms, cool caves, fascinating rock pools and intimate swimming coves around the island. As a fringe of coral reef clings to Niue’s sides before plunging to abyssal depths, there are no sandy beaches. Nor are there streams or rivers on the island; the rain filters through the porous coral out into the warm Pacific Ocean completely devoid of any silt runoff. This allows the surrounding sea to be crystal clear (it doesn’t get any clearer) with water visibility often up to 70 metres.
Most dive sites are less than 10 minutes boat ride away – the longest trip is half an hour. The sites feature either caverns or pristine hard coral reefs. No special training is required for the cavern dives – all have easy access and natural light sources. The depth range for most dives is 5m-30m.
Dive Sites
“The Chimney”
Enter a hole five metres below the surface and drop down vertically through the ‘chimney’ reaching “the fireplace ” at twenty seven metres. As you descend, the bubbles from the divers below drift pass, giving the feeling you are in space. Look up and you have a silhouette of the following divers. At the base you are in an arch from which you look out into the deep blue waters. The fireplace is a favourite haunt for crayfish.
Ana Mahaga (Limu Twin)
A great site for all levels of divers – open enough to make the most novice diver feel comfortable, but with interesting swim throughs and plenty of nooks and crannies to satisfy the most experienced of divers. Ana Mahaga has two large caverns with a tunnel connecting them. Marine life regularly encountered here includes ribbon eels, lion fish, schools of trevally and midnight sea perch, parrot fish and white tip reef sharks.
Tamakautoga Reef
There are several sites along this beautiful stretch of hard coral reef with a wonderful array of marine life waiting to be photographed. Healthy coral continues down past 40 metres so deep diving enthusiasts will feel right at home as will newly certified divers with plenty to see in the shallows.
Snake Gully
Niue’s signature site – this one has it all – a cavern crammed with painted crayfish, sea snakes by the dozens (and sometimes hundreds), schools of barracuda which make regular appearances and all in a depth of less than 20 metres. Add to this the possibility of sighting turtles, sharks and maori wrasse, and its easy to see why divers want to come back here time and time again.
Whales
From around late June to October Humpback Whales call into Niuean waters as they migrate. As the ocean drops away so quickly these magnificent creatures cruise past only metres off shore yet have below them water hundreds of metres deep.
Even from the shore it is possible to see them play. On a dive you may be one of the lucky divers to have a whale stop metres away, turn and eyeball you for minutes – an unforgettable experience, one you will find difficult if not impossible to explain to friends.
Niue Dive
Runs trips to interact with these gentle giants and spinner dolphins. Every interaction is different, but snorkellers have spent up to half an hour floating just metres away from a mother and calf – others prefer to watch from the boat, getting an impressive view of their breaches and tail dives. Trips run in the afternoons and last approx. 3 hours. Minimum of 4 people required to run the trips.
Accommodation
Matavai Resort
This magnificent resort is located on a cliff top with dramatic, panoramic, 180-degree view of the South Pacific Ocean. The resort was completed in 1997.
Overview
Matavai has 22 fully furnished rooms some with air-conditioning. All rooms have ceiling fans, IDD phones, tea and coffee making facility, mini bar, and four channels of Sky Pacific television. Some rooms have a view of the ocean.
Located a little distance away from the accommodation are; reception, restaurant, bar and an art gallery displaying works of local artists. Extending several metres from the bar, restaurant and conference room is a wide decking – both undercover and in the open – to take advantage of the resort’s outstanding natural coastal view.
On the lower terrace is a small intimate swimming pool nestled in the naturally framed hollow of coral, while there is a larger pool located on the upper deck. A large wooden decking extends from the pool towards the cliff edge where guests can experience in turn, both tranquillity and the power of the mighty Pacific Ocean. The Cliff-hanger Bar which is conveniently tucked in against a coral outcrop is available on special occasions. On the same terrace are several tables where guests can enjoy a drink or meal.
Each room has:
- Air-conditioning
- IDD telephone
- In-room safe
- Tea and coffee making facilities
- Minibar
- Bathrobes
- LCD TV
- iPod docking station alarm clock
- Wireless internet (attracts a charge)
- Iron and ironing board
- Hairdryer
Rooms
Resort Garden Rooms
These spacious hotel rooms each have a private balcony that overlooks lush tropical gardens. Bedding is a split super king with quality mattress topper for ultimate comfort. A limited number of interconnecting rooms are available.
Resort Ocean Rooms
The private balconies of our comfortable Ocean View rooms provide views out to the Pacific Ocean and over the tropical gardens. Bedding is a split super king with quality mattress topper for ultimate comfort.
Resort Superior Rooms
These rooms are both spacious and private. Each is nestled among a tropical forest setting private balcony. Bedding is a split super king, with four units also offering an additional pull out sofa bed. A limited number of interconnecting rooms are available.
Resort Cliff Top Superior Rooms
These luxuriously spacious rooms are the largest hotel rooms available on Niue Island. Each sits perched cliff top and has a private balcony with views out to the Pacific Ocean. Bedding is a split super king. A limited number of interconnecting rooms are available (none with pull out sofa beds).
Gallery
