Things to see

Tahiti

THE AQUARIUM:

There is no current, the water is warm and clear water in the lagoon while the bottom is composed of white sand in this lagoonÂ… It is definitely the ideal gateway to Nemo's world

LA ' ZÉLÉE ' :

On September 22nd, 1914, the « Zélée » battle ship suffered severe damage from the fire of German cruisers named Sharmhortz and Geneisenau. The Germans were attempting to get into the harbor for provisions of food and coal. The ship sank in the harbor but was later moved on the outer reef between 7 and 18 meters (23 and 55 feet) of depth. It has become an artificial reef and shelter to numerous coral reef fish species including several Javanese moray eels.

Moorea

OPUNOHU :

Sheltered from the trade winds, Opunohu pass is a large area which most dive centers like to visit. It is also among the most diversified dives of the island with many canyons, drop offs and caves. Black tip and lemon sharks are accustomed to divers and under water photographers. You may also encounter friendly turtles and schools of surgeonfish and snappers. Further down (40 meters / 130 feet), the most experienced divers will marvel at the coral rose garden.

LE TIKI :

Located on the northwest point of the island, the strength and direction of the current changes quickly. This is the ideal habitat for a school of grey sharks, which have settled here. It is an easy and very educational dive, watching and learning more about their behavior.
During the humpback whale season from July to November, you may hear the singing of a male announcing his presence to other whales in the area.

Raiatea

NORDBY :

This Danish three-mast Cape Hornier schooner had journeyed the world's oceans by 1900. While cruising from Auckland, New Zealand en route to Liverpool, England, the ship stopped in Raiatea. She anchored in Tepua on the 25th of August to unload goods. A very strong storm carried her to the reef where she slowly sank. Now, the 50 meter (164 feet) long wreck is located at the bottom of a hotel dock. Lying on her port side, it is an easy dive. There is a huge bubble of air stuck in the ship and you can stick your head out of the water while being at 15 meters (50 feet) of depth. It is a great place to see numerous nudibranches as well.

TEAVAPITI PASS:

At a depth of 15 meters (50 feet), there is an underwater plate that crosses the pass from one side to the other. A young grey shark nursery has settled there. It is very unique to watch so many young sharks play in such shallow water.

Tahaa

PAIPAI PASS :

Paipai Pass is located on the west coast of Taha'a. Fish life is varied within the pass. On the right side, you see a wall covered in yellow coral. For more experienced divers, at a maximum depth of 30 meters (100 feet), you will encounter the ma'o mamaru (white tip sharks). On the left side of the pass, the dive is more shallow (15 to 18 meters – 50 and 60 feet). You will see a profusion of life such as Napoleon fish, eagle rays, tuna, moray eels, barracudas, surgeonfish and parrotfish.

CÔTE 323 :

On the outer reef, known as Tapu Tapu, the conditions are usually very pleasant and the depth (30 meters – 100 feet) allows any diver to enjoy the site. The water visibility is excellent. The drop off offers large coral heads sheltering many angelfish, lionfish, butterfly fish and turtles. Be careful not to touch a piece of fire coral (unless you want to learn how it received the name!).

Huahine

AVAPEHI PASS :

This dive is considered an exception to the rule! It is the only dive starting from the outer reef and going into the lagoon through this pass. A massive school of jackfish from 7 meters (23 feet) to the surface will greet you. Further down, (15 meters / 50 feet) you will come upon a school of barracudas. They look still, like they are suspended in between the water and the weak current. Around 25 meters (80 feet) you will enjoy diving with eagle rays and paddelfish.

FA'A MITI :

Fa'a Miti is located on the ocean side, but well protected from the swell, wind, and current. The spot is open to all divers. The outer slope is mild and covered in a multitude of corals. As soon as you start your descent a few black tip sharks and Napoleon fish will come and greet you. Many small colorful butterfly fish, unicorn fish, surgeonfish will follow you and your guide throughout the dive. The highlight of the dive is definitely the moray eels going out to swim around you. The dive ends in a valley jn a cave like scenery where lionfish are well hidden.

Maupiti

CORAL GARDEN :

Protected from the trade winds, this site is located on the north side of the island. This lagoon shelters rich fauna with beautiful and healthy coral. It is the perfect spot to learn to scuba diving or snorkel through “the underwater path”. Out of the hundreds of different fish species, you will encounter black tip sharks, many eagle and stingrays, but also jackfish, goatfish, surgeonfish, cleaning wrasses and many other invertebrates.

FRED'S SPOT :

Located behind Auira Motu on the ocean side, Chez Fred offers a mild drop off from the surface to 20 meters (65 feet) below before it turns into sharper walls with a succession of steps. Grey and black tip sharks swim along the walls and nurse sharks hide inside small caves on the coral plate.

Bora Bora

TAPU :

Tapu is the name of the motu used as an indication to locate the dive site holding this name. It is situated on the outer reef, left of Teavanui pass, Bora Bora's unique pass. Photographers and divers seeking excitement will be overwhelmed by massive lemon sharks that will greet you at a depth of 25 meters (80 feet). Definitely not shy, the lemons will swim around you and come very close to your camera.

MURI MURI :

Also named « the white valley », is covered 40 meters (130 feet) below with a long bright, white sand path surrounded by coral. It leads the divers to a large garden eel colony. The visibility is fabulous and there is no doubt that you will see the large school of jackfish and barracudas likely to join your dive group. At the end of the dive, you will admire the beautiful coral bed at the bottom before going back to the boat.

Rangiroa

TIPUTA PASS :

The sunlight rays break through the water surface into the deep blue. The highlight of this dive is the encounter with the amazing wild bottlenose dolphins (tursiops truncatus) swimming over a school of grey sharks. This pod of dolphins have been local residents of Tiputa Pass for the past twenty years. Although they were shy and somewhat hard to locate twenty years ago, today the new generation of dolphins enjoy playing with divers in the pass.

AVATORU PASS :

A definite must! You will have the chance to encounter the tapete, or silver tip sharks (carcharhinus albimarginatus). This species of sharks usually lives in much deeper water, and it is truly an opportunity not to be missed. During this dive, you will survey a huge school of jackfish as well who often split into two due to the passing of a raira (grey shark) or Napoleon fish. You are likely to encounter a manta ray during this incredible dive as well. The safety stop will take place in open water.

Tikehau

TUHEIAVA PASS :

An easy diveÂ… Through numerous cavities, you will discover a variety of underwater fauna. You will dive among the whole coastal reef and see Moray eels, Napoleon fish, barracudas and tuna.

SHARK HOLE :

The wall starts at a depth of 20 meters (65 feet) and the hole is 35 meters (115 feet) deeper. Experienced divers only can participate in this thrilling dive (PADI rescue or CMAS 3 star divers).

Fakarava

GARUAE PASS (the largest of French Polynesia):

You will start the dive in the deep blue at a depth of 30 to 40 metres (100 and 130 feet) before catching a glimpse of a big predator. The incoming current will take you to the lagoon. The show is guaranteed year round. Barracudas, groupers and rays share the area. They are in larger numbers, especially during the full moon. The Austral summer (November to March) is the breeding period for crescent tail big eyes, paddeltail snappers lying at the bottom of Ali Baba's valley.

TUMAKOHUA PASS :

The privileged divers who will have the opportunity to the shoot the southern pass (Tumakohua pass) will discover an unspoiled site both on land and underwater. Access to the south pass from the main village requires a 1 ? hour boat ride into the lagoon.

Manihi

TURIPAOA PASS :

Depending on the tide and current direction, the dive can be organized in any direction: incoming, outgoing and even sideways! Every dive is different. Make sure that you always follow your guide who will show you the beauties of the site. The dives take place at a depth of 25 meters (80 feet), and are only for experienced divers.

THE CIRCUS :

The entrance to this pass may be a bit rough and the visibility may not very good, and there is often a strong current. However, it is a perfect place to watch the majestic ballet of the manta rays.

Makemo

POUHEVA PASS :

A typical Tuamotu pass dive for any kind of diverÂ…

RIKI RIKI AND PAPAKO :

These are a couple of sites in the lagoon located on both sides of the pass, ideal for beginners but also an excellent place for underwater photographers.

Nuku Hiva

EKAMAKO CAVE :

This deep and wide cave is located East of Taiohae. Many large stingrays live there.

THE SHARK SENTINEL :

Situated at nearly the same latitude as the Galapagos Islands, the water is rich in plankton. A similar kind of pelagic fauna, such as hammerhead sharks (sphyrna lewini), will await you. They enjoy swimming in schools as opposed to the lonely great hammerhead sharks encountered in the Tuamotu.

Hiva Oa

LE RABOT :

The dive spot is located on the west coast at a depth of 20 to 27 meters (65 to 88 feet). The caves hide numerous moray eels including smaller colorful species like the famous Javanese. You will marvel at the sight of the vivid colorful nudibranchs. You may also dive over archeological items such as old anchors or stone carved fish hooks lost long ago on the coast by the ancient Marquesan fishermen.

KUI POINT :

Marine wildlife is everywhere among the numerous caves and cavities: shell fish, scorpion fish and groupers; however, the highlight of the show is definitely the amazing manta rays!

Tubuai

LOU GOBI :

This dive spot is located on the left side of the pass. The underwater flora is abundant and over thirty species of coral cover the bottom. It is the perfect place to watch the marine wildlife go by.

FABULOUS DROP-OFF :

The name of the dive says it all! The top of the drop off is at a depth of 8 meters (26 feet) and it seems that the site is bottomless! The entrance of a mysterious and enthralling cave lies at 20 meters (65 feet).

Rurutu

PEVA PASS :

Unique in Tahiti and her islands, it is the only shoreline dive. You will explore a long 12 meters (40 feet) corridor with walls and cavities showing diversified coral and fish species. Many white tip sharks enjoy the area. Your guide will take you out to the ocean where the visibility is exceptional.

UNAA POINT :

This is a typical Rurutu dive: a peerless visibility (minimum of 50 meters / 165 feet), a large coral plate with high formations and bountiful marine wildlife: parrotfish, white tip sharks and potential wahoos during the safety stop!