Christmas Island vs Rowley Shoals — Dive Destination Comparison
Christmas Island (Australia) scores 70.3/100 vs Rowley Shoals's 69.8/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Christmas Island for wall diving with 20–40m visibility. Choose Rowley Shoals for wall diving at ~$300/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Christmas Island | Rowley Shoals |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 70.3/100 | 69.8/100 |
| Country | Australia | Australia |
| Visibility | 20--40m | 30--50m |
| Water temp | 26--29 C | 25--30 C |
| Max depth | 40m | 60m |
| Current | moderate | strong |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $120 | $300 |
| Budget tier | mid range | luxury |
| Best months | March, April, May | September, October, November |
| Dive types | wall, reef, pelagic, shore | wall, drift, reef, pelagic |
| Min certification | Advanced Open Water | Advanced Open Water |
| Key species | whale shark, manta ray, hammerhead shark | potato cod, manta ray, grey reef shark |
| Google rating | 4.7 (80 reviews) | 4.9 (85 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Christmas Island when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking whale shark encounters
- + Wide-angle photographers wanting crystal visibility
- + Groups seeking 20+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You need shore access — this is shore-only
Choose Rowley Shoals when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking potato cod encounters
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Wide-angle photographers wanting crystal visibility
- + Dedicated divers willing to commit to a liveaboard trip
Skip if
- - You're uncomfortable in strong currents
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You're on a tight budget — avg $300/dive
Bottom line
Christmas Island wins on overall score (70.3 vs 69.8), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Christmas Island is more affordable ($120 vs $300/dive). Rowley Shoals has better peak visibility (50m vs 40m).