Black Rock Chimneys, Cook Islands
Also within 20 km of Nikao
- Black Rock Passage Dive site · 1.7 km from Nikao
About Black Rock Chimneys
A reef dive. It goes down to 25 m. You get in from a boat. It suits Open Water divers and up, as a dive guide states it. The coast faces NW: swell from the NW reaches it, and wind from the SE blows out to sea. 3 dive centres or shops within 10 km, the nearest 1.6 km away. The sea is about 25°C in July, its coldest month (3 mm wetsuit), and 28°C in February, its warmest (3 mm wetsuit). For experienced divers the best months are usually January, February, March and April, with about 7 good days in 7. From the weather of past years. The town to stay in is Nikao. Within 5 km we also list 1 surf spot and 5 dive sites.
- What it is Reef.
- How deep Down to 25 m.
- Getting in From a boat.
- Who it suits Suits Open Water divers and up, as a dive guide states it.
- Dive centres 3 dive centres or shops within 10 km, the nearest 1.6 km away.
Facts: verified.
Dive centres nearby
Dive Rarotonga 1.6 km
Cook Island Divers 1.9 km
Adventure Cook Islands 5.7 km
Chantal's Concierge on the Beach 11 km
Pacific Divers 11 km
The nearest named dive centres and shops within 25 km, in a straight line; training agencies where the map states them. Listings, not a recommendation. Dive centres: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Credits
Water about 25°C: 3 mm wetsuit. Typical sea temperature for the time of year, not a forecast.
Visibility over 30 m. Typical for the time of year, estimated from ten years of NASA satellite water clarity, not a forecast. Clearest in Mar, May, Jun, Aug, Sep and Oct (over 30 m).
This week's visibility, the current and the life no free forecast gives. Ask a dive centre before you book.
Save this trip A link to come back to, or to send to the group.
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From Chicago: about 22 h 50 door to door, one way. An estimate; the journey never changes the score.
Fly. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to RAR, changing at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).
See flights ORD → RAR · Skyscanner from about £585 returnAdGetting there. 20 min from the airport to Black Rock Chimneys.
Accommodation.
Stay in NikaoAd
Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote.
Room photos are examples, not these hotels (credits).
See all places to stay in Nikao (ad) on Booking.com →Closest towns to stay in
Nikao 3 min by car · rooms from £60 a night
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Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote. Distances are straight lines unless a drive is given: a site out at sea is reached by boat.
Hire and lessons.
Dives and courses in Nikao · GetYourGuideAdDive gear hire in Nikao · GetYourGuideAd
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Black Rock Chimneys on Google Maps · Directions
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Forecast
Best on Tue 20: Sea 1.3 m. Wind 12 kn gusting 16.
The score for experienced divers, coloured as on the area pages:GoodFairPoor
| Day | Score | Sea | Wind | Gusts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 18Oct | 66, good | 1.2 m | 18 kn | 23knboats in |
| Mon 19Oct | 77, good | 1.4 m | 17 kn | 24kn |
| Tue 20Oct | 80, good | 1.3 m | 12 kn | 16kn |
| Wed 21Oct | 80, good | 1.2 m | 14 kn | 22kn |
| Thu 22Oct | 80, good | 1.3 m | 12 kn | 17kn |
| Fri 23Oct | 80, good | 1.3 m | 15 kn | 20kn |
| Sat 24Oct | 79, good | 1.1 m | 15 kn | 20kn |
| Sun 25Oct | 71, good | 1.6 m | 18 kn | 24kn |
| Mon 26Oct | 78, good | 1.4 m | 16 kn | 24kn |
| Tue 27Oct | 80, good | 1.4 m | 14 kn | 20kn |
Day scores are the conditions out of 80, from the two best daylight readings: a morning and an afternoon dive. Sea is the open water's waves near the site, in metres, halved for a sheltered site. Wind and gusts are in knots (10 kn is about 19 km/h); "boats in" marks gusts that keep dive boats in. This week's visibility, the current and the life no free forecast gives.
The season
Good diving days in a typical week, each month, for experienced divers, from 2016 on (ERA5 history scored the same way).
- Jan7of 7
- Feb7of 7
- Mar7of 7
- Apr7of 7
- May7of 7
- Jun7of 7
- Jul7of 7
- Aug7of 7
- Sep7of 7
- Oct7of 7
- Nov7of 7
- Dec7of 7
Typical, not a forecast: the sea and the mean wind of each day, with no gusts or rain in the history.
Rough cost
About £955–£1,880 each for 6 nights, 2 people sharing. A guide from typical prices, not a quote. Dives are not priced yet: we have no sourced price for a guided dive, so they are not in it.
- Flights £585–£1,220
- To the UK airport £35–£65
- Taxi £15–£25
- Stay £165–£280
- Food £155–£290
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Where to stayAd
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