Favourite snorkelling spots in the South Pacific

One of the perks of working on a sailing ship was having access to incredible reefs.  While a few spots were disappointing, having major damage from storms or human inference, others blew my fragile mind to pieces. Here's a countdown of my four favourite destinations.

In 4th place is Aitutaki, Cook islands.  A honeymooner's haven, Aitutaki had great coral and sea life close to shore. The clear water meant we had great visibility for snorkelling.  Much better than what I saw in Rarotonga.

In 3rd place we have Hide away resort in Efate, Vanuatu.  This resort has plenty of marine life (one of my friend's saw an octopus).  However the underwater post office was the kicker!  There are a lot of people about, but this is compensated with having a bar right there after your snorkel (or before, I won't judge...).

In 2nd we have The Coral Gardens, Vavau, Tonga.  This place is so incredibly awesome that in my mind, it should be under international protection.  The coral was so beautiful that during our first visit, I don't think I paid much attention to the fish.  Which there are also there. Lots.

But in 1st place I've crowned Anchorage Island, Suwarrow atoll, Cook Islands.  As one of the most secluded spots on the planet, Suwarrow has had the luxury of little human interference.  When swimming to the coral's shelf, that's when things got interesting. The abundance of Sharks really puts this place on the map.
And here is an important disclaimer: There are not only reef sharks (the harmless guys) but aggressive bigger boys.  At one point me and Zim sighted a pack of sharks, including a brown big'un and moved quick sharp. Snorkelling at this spot is not recommended and only done by silly people like me. But wow, what a place!

Where are your favourite places to snorkel?

* First picture courtesy of Mr J. Biddlecombe.

Aitutaki

Due  to a group of wakas (traditional polynesian canoes that had been adapted to travel the world) coming back into Rarotonga, we had to scarper from our wharf for a while.  On board the Soren Larsen, we headed to the Atitaki atoll, only and day and a half sail away.  When we dropped anchor off the coast, outside the island's surrounding lagoon, it was quite a sight to see the waves crash on to the reef.

Aitutaki was everything you would expect from a pacific island.  relatively flat, coconut trees, easygoing and drop dead gorgeous.  But the thing that really made the experience here was the snorkeling.  I wish I had an underwater camera to capture it. After walking to the Pacific Resort, a very fancy hotel that I hope I have the  money to stay in one day, we were told anywhere past was good for snorkeling.  The coral, the techni-colour fish and the sheer abundance of life was just amazing.  This place was snorkel heaven.

On our walk back to our pick up point, we enjoyed the change of scene, only stopping to get some ice cream and the stare at goats (something about simple things for simple minds comes to my head).
Back at the ship, when the swirl of the sea wasn't took bad we could have a quick dip in the ocean to cool off. As the sunset, we watched turtles bob up and down in the water.

After a day and a half it was time to leave Aititaki in order to miss some bad weather coming our way, back to Rarotonga....