Scuba Diving Tahiti
Humpback Whales Migration, Schooling Sharks, Manta Rays, and much more...
Tahiti and her islands are tantalizing, tropical treasures! Tahiti is cascading waterfalls, lush green valleys, sparkling mountain streams, tropical beaches and coconut palms swaying in the sun. Tahiti is paradise found. The islands are breathtakingly beautiful and the diving is WORLD CLASS! It is a great destination for divers and non- divers alike, as the romance and seduction of the islands beckons to our adventurous character!
Tahiti and her islands, officially known as French
Polynesia, is an overseas territory of France. Covering over two
million square miles in the South Pacific Ocean, the territory is
comprised of 118 islands within five great archipelagos. Nearly
all of the islands are protected from the ocean by coral reefs,
which often have one or more fish filled passes leading into a sheltered,
multicolored lagoon.
Tahiti is a very close destination to the USA, only 7.5 hrs from Los Angeles, you do not lose any days as you do NOT cross the International date-line. Tahiti is ideal for those who can only get away for a week or so and are in need of a revitalizing adventure!
Lush green high islands with their peaks in the clouds surrounded by barrier reefs or no reef and with beaches of black basalt sand or white coral sand. Mountains, with all the colors of Gauguin, are blue, violet or brown depending on the angels of the light as they range majestically over this tranquil ocean of a faraway blue.
A rich cultural heritage was given to the Polynesians from their ancestors, the proud Maohi warriors and chiefs. Oral history recounts the colorful myths and legends of gods and heroes. The word tattoo comes from Tahiti, Tohu, god of tattooing, painted all the fishes in beautiful colors and patterns. A new generation of tattoo priests sculpt the ancient designs on Tahitians and tourists.
The history of old Polynesia is veiled in the mists of time. The discovery of buried villages and stone petroglyphs are pieces to the puzzle. Yet the mystery of origin is still unsolved. Legends tell of the sky Father and Earth mother. Parents of the Haohi people, whose ancestral home was a place called Havaiki. The race of brave seafarers arrived in double - hulled outrigger sailing canoes. They came from Samoa or Tonga to discover the Marquesas Islands. The Maohi ancestors of today's Polynesians discovered all the Islands of Tahiti.
DIVING TAHITI
The jaw-dropping beauty of the Society Islands and the remote archipelago of the Tuamotus offer everything from shallow lagoon dives with rays to the adrenaline-pumping pass dives with walls of grey sharks. Tahiti's reefs of hard corals are also home to a wide variety of tropical Pacific fish and reef dwellers from clams with vibrantly-colored mantles to the curious Napoleon wrasse. Manta rays, hammerhead sharks and dolphins also frequent these waters which are renowned for their big animal encounters.
Many areas of French Polynesia are still relatively undeveloped and undiscovered and offer adventurous travelers exciting excursions on land and by sea. Hiking, surfing, 4-wheel drive safaris, historical sites, dolphin and stingray encounters and trips to black pearl farms are all must-do excursions.
The ocean of Tahiti and Her Islands offers a continually changing show. Marine treasures with an incredibly extraordinary fauna and flora!
The Polynesian waters contain attractive colonies of fish with multiple colours and forms which play in sumptuous coral gardens.
Nearly a thousand fish species in our Polynesian waters populate the lagoon, reef and open sea.
Among them, you will meet Manta rays, sharks and also turtles which will enchant your water adventure.
With an annual temperature oscillating between 26 and 29°C, and incredible visibility of up to 50 meters, our Polynesian waters offer you ideal conditions for scuba diving from January to December.
The marine mammals, 24 species out of 80 in the world, such as whales and dolphins live temporarily or permanently in our Polynesian waters. The most special attraction and most important to divers are the arrival of the humpback whales from July through October!
Since May 2002, Tahiti and Her Islands have been classed as "sanctuary for the protection and safeguard of whales and other marine mammals".
You will be delighted in a multitude of excellent diving spots in Tahiti and Her Islands. The popular zones of exploration are the lagoon, the ocean, and the passages.
More than 12 islands have diving centers of international standards. A "live aboard" boat is also available in the Tuamotu.
SNORKELING
Enjoy also the great snorkeling spots in our islands.
Most of the hotels in Polynesia provide freely this activity at all their guests in order for them to discover by themselves the treasures of our lagoons.
You will find below some spots in which the snorkeling is genuinely magical.
- In Moorea, the coral garden facing the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort& Spa
- In Bora Bora, in the back of the Private Motu of the Sofitel Marara Beach & Private Island, and the coral garden near the Motu Tane
- In Taha'a, close to the Taha'a Private Island & Spa
- In the Blue Lagoon in Rangiroa.
HONEYMOONING & ROMANCE
Discover why the seclusion and setting rank the Islands as one of the world's most desirable honeymoon destinations. You could explore the idea of a traditional Tahitian wedding, meaningful yet not legally binding. This is a great ceremony for couples wishing to wed or renew your vows. Couples are bedecked in pareus, flowers and shells. The groom is brought to the beachside location in a canoe while the bride is carried on a rattan throne. Music and dancers enhance the ceremony while a Tahitian priest performs the rites and graces the couple with their Tahitian names!
Romance…. Celebrate a new romance or share a special anniversary accompanied by the glow of a South Pacific sunset.
