Niue Reef
Niue · South Pacific
Niue is a tiny raised coral atoll in the South Pacific — the diving is on submarine caves and lava tubes carved into the limestone, with seasonal humpback whales (you can sometimes hear them underwater) and exceptional water clarity.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Tiny island, oceanic visibility. Sea snakes and whales are seasonal highlights; reef cover modest but intact.
Coral cover
Fish life
Fewer fish than a healthy reef of its kind.
Heat
No unusual heat right now.
Fishing
Quiet water, and fishing is fully banned here.
Sources · Reef survey · Reef Life Survey · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
Coral cover over time
Live coral cover, by survey year
Across surveys in 2014 and 2024, live coral cover here has held steady at about 40%. Every point is a real survey reading, never a projection.
Live coral cover, percent by year
| Year | Coral cover |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 40% |
| 2024 | 40% |
What you will see
11 species across the dive sites here
Spinner Dolphin
Seen 1 month ago
at Hio Wall
Least concern
Banded Sea Krait
Seen 1 month ago
at Hio Wall
Vulnerable
Katuali (banded sea krait)
Seen 1 month ago
at Snake Gully
Vulnerable
Green turtle
Seen 2 months ago
at Snake Gully
Least concern
Lionfish
Seen 2 months ago
at Hio Wall
Least concern
Whitetip reef shark
Seen 9 months ago
at Snake Gully
Vulnerable
Humpback whale
Seen 11 months ago
at Snake Gully
Least concern
Grey Reef Shark
Seen Jun 2025
at Hio Wall
Endangered
Giant Trevally
Seen year round
at Hio Wall
Least concern
Napoleon wrasse
Seen year round
at Snake Gully
Endangered
Soldierfish
Seen year round
at Hio Wall
Dive sites
What divers say
We were 18m down in a lava tube and heard humpback song through the rock. Nowhere else.
Good to know
Whale swim
Niue has a special permit allowing in water humpback swims — book ahead.