The Top Scuba Diving Companies in Vava’u
Practical Advice from Our Personal Experiences
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.
Side note: Our tips come from travel writers who have genuinely visited Vava’u, not copied or generated by AI. Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more about us.
Table of Contents
AX-Factor Dive
Dive into adventure with AX-Factor Dive, the only SSI Dive Center in Tonga! Located just 220 m (241 yards) from the historic dive wreck “Clan McWilliam”, this boutique dive operation offers a unique underwater experience.
They emphasise customised tours and personal service, with groups limited to four divers max.
Don’t miss their night diving speciality, especially with UV lights, it’s like discovering a whole new fluorescent world!
Their custom-built Ally Cat, “Red Dog”, is the perfect diving platform for exploring the harbour and inner islands. With your dive master, Axel, being an instructor for 25+ years, you’re in experienced hands.
Location: Tours depart from Toula, ‘Utu Vava’u. Approximately 3.5 km (2.2 mi) south of Neiafu.
© TongaPocketGuide.comRiki 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.
Book your adventure today through Riki Tiki Tours’ website and explore the best sites with ease, comfort and expert guidance!
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.
(c) tongapocketguide.comBeluga 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.
© TongaPocketGuide.com[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.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Tonga and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tonga Tourism Authority (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Tonga Ministry of Tourism (FAQs about visiting Tonga - Updated [2025])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Revenue & Customs (Customs and immigration contacts - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Agriculture & Food, Forests and Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Infrastructure (Land and aviation transport info - Updated [2025])
- Tonga Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
- Tonga Statistics Department (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At Tonga Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
About The 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.












