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Sport & Activities
Watersports: Surrounded on all sides by the crystal clear and unpolluted waters of the Pacific Ocean, Niue is an ideal destination for swimming, scuba diving and snorkelling. The island’s position on top of an undersea mountain and the absence of a fringing lagoon mean that dives are into the open Pacific. Coupled with the lack of rivers or streams on the island, these conditions help to create exceptional visibility (usually a minimum of 50m/164ft). Even in winter, water temperature stays around 25°C/78°F. Snorkellers and divers have the opportunity to encounter humpback whales and dolphins in Niuean waters. For further information as well as bookings of twin-hulled dive boats, scuba and snorkelling gear and PADI certification courses, contact Niue Dive, PO Box 140, Alofi, Niue (tel: 4311; fax: 4028; e-mail: niuedive@dive.nu; website: www.dive.nu). Below is a selection of the best diving sites in Niue:
Avatele Bay: Three well-known dive sites are located in this popular bay, close to traditional fishing grounds and well suited for swimming and snorkelling. At Snake Gully, divers may observe the Niuean sea snake, as well as reef sharks and Maori wrasse. Advanced divers can head down the steep wall at Tepa Fans, which is adorned with large colonies of gorgonian coral.
Ana Mahaga: This site, near Namukulu, is popular for cave diving as divers can explore two large caverns, also called the ‘Namukulu Motels’, which are connected by a narrow corridor.
Namoui: Also close to Namukulu, this site is known for its beautiful coral formations; encounters with turtles occur regularly.
Chimney: Situated close to Alofi, this location offers divers a chance to drop vertically through a shaft and side exit through a large cavern into the open sea.
Anono: One of Niue’s most popular dive sites, this area was declared a marine national reserve in 1998.
Beveridge Reef: Located 192km (120 miles) east of Niue, this is a fairly recent addition to the country’s top diving sites and, as yet, not fully exploited commercially. There is a shipwreck in the area for wreck diving, as well as a varied marine population including eagle rays and coral trout. Special cruise packages to the reef are available.
Because of the sheer drops from reefs into deep ocean, land-based game fishing is a unique experience here. Red bass, wahoo (also known locally as paala), tuna, sailfish and marlin abound. Traditional outrigger canoes and motor boats can be arranged for line-fishing expeditions.
Yachting: There are 11 moorings available at a fee of NZ$5-10 per day (a departure fee of NZ$20 per person is also payable). Visitors travelling to Niue by yacht should avoid arriving at weekends as entry clearance services provided by the Immigration and Port authorities are closed. On arrival, contact ZKN Niue Radio on VHF16; they will contact customs and arrange clearance, which must be gained before coming ashore, and arrange for mooring allocation. There are 18 moorings available which can be hired for NZ$5 per day. For further information, contact the Niue Yacht Club, PO Box 129, Alofi (e-mail: yachtclub@sin.net.nu; website: www.niueisland.com/yachting.htm).
Other: There are excellent opportunities in Niue’s numerous caves, notably at Talava - The Arches, and several companies offer caving trips (see also Resorts & Excursions section).
At Niue Sport Club, there is a 9-hole golf course, with balls, clubs and trundlers for hire, and two tennis courts. Traditional Niuean cricket is the most popular spectator sport and can be seen in any village when in season. Niue’s scenic rainforest areas, particularly around Hakupu and Kikutavake Hill in the east, are popular destinations for walking trips. Cycling is a good way to see the island along the 170km (106 miles) of bush tracks through scrub and rain forest. A number of companies rent out bicycles, scooters and motorbikes. For further information, contact the Niue Tourism Office or the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (see Contact Addresses section).
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