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1Tiputa Pass (Shark's Cave)
One of the best drift-dive in the world!!! Sharks, sharks and more sharks... Northwest of the Tiputa pass.
IntermediateMax depth 82 ftBoat entry
Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in French Polynesia
The top 55 dive and snorkel sites in French Polynesia, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the French Polynesia guide
- dive sites
- 55
- dive shops
- 6
- reviews
- 4
AreasWindward Islands14Leeward Islands10The Tuamotu and Gambier Islands5Îles Tuamotu-Gambier5Îles Sous-le-Vent4Îles du Vent3Îles Marquises2
55 sites, ranked by diver reviews
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2Hotel Kia Ora Beach
Excellent snorkeling site. Shallow, sandy, with coral mounds, giant morays, several types of stingrays, large number and types of fish. Only a few miles west from the airport, Rangiroa, French Polynesia
Shore entry
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3Temae
Gentle slope down to 15-20m deep then a sandy area with garden eels. Northeast of Moorea, near Aroa point.
BeginnerMax depth 32.8 ftBoat entry
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4The Aquarium
This is a very popular dive site. A Cesnas plane has been put there (7m deep), as well as two small boats (10m and 14m deep). NW of Tahiti, into the lagoon. Just close to Tahiti international airport and Beachcomber hotel.
BeginnerMax depth 26.2 ftBoat entry
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5Toopua Iti
There is in fact two differet dive sites: Toopua and Toopua Iti. Usually, this is done in one single drift dive. There are many eagle-rays and colorfull reef fishes. Nice dive. SW side of Bora Bora lagoon. S of Toopua Iti motu. Toopua Iti is also known as Toopua.
BeginnerMax depth 32.8 ftBoat entry
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6Miri-Miri and Roses
Excellent dive ! Many sharks (black tip), some turtles, and fantastic corals (Roses shapes). One of the best dive of Raïatea. North from Rautoanui pass, on the West side of Raïatea.
IntermediateMax depth 82 ftBoat entry
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7Teavapiti pass
Some sharks (white tip, grey, black tip), barracudas, napoleon fish, surgeonfishes, triggerfishes, etc. Teavapiti pass is located at the East side of Raïatea, SE from Uturoa.
BeginnerMax depth 55.8 ftBoat entry
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8Avapeihi pass
An interesting dive, with a lot of sharks (mostly white tip, and grey sharks) and some rays. No shark feeding is done on this site, so you will really see natural shark behaviour. Dive site is only few minutes from Fare, NW of Huahine island. Avapeihi pass is also known as Fitii pass.
BeginnerMax depth 65.6 ftBoat entry
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9Avatoru Pass
Less interresting than Tiputa, but a good dive. East side of the Avatoru pass
IntermediateMax depth 49.2 ftBoat entry
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10Nuhi Nuhi
Sharks, Mantas, and a very nice collection of reef life. West side of the motu, just south of the Tiputa pass. Nuhi Nuhi is also known as The Aquarium.
BeginnerMax depth 16.4 ftBoat entry
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11Stingray World
Stingray feeding :( Northeast of Moorea Island, near the Beachcomber Parkroyal hotel.
BeginnerMax depth 32.8 ftBoat entry
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12Tiputa Pass (The Valley)
Same sharks profile + Hammerhead sharks may be seen ner 40m deep. East side of the Tiputa Pass, close to the Tiputa village. Tiputa Pass (The Valley) is also known as Tiputa East.
IntermediateMax depth 82 ftBoat entry
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13The Marado
Great wall with gorgonians since 20m deep. Napoleonfish, white tip sharks and some moray eels in open water. Southwest side of Tahiti Iti, between Vairao and PK10.
IntermediateMax depth 65.6 ftBoat entry
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15Garuae Pass
World class dive for sharks, manta rays... North pass of Fakarava atoll. 3 names for 3 distinct locations inside this 1600m wide pass: Marche, Canyons, Ali-Baba Garuae Pass is also known as Marche, Canyons, Ali-Baba.
IntermediateMax depth 65.6 ftBoat entry
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16Tetopa Grotto
The cave entrance is at 8m deep, then goes up to 2m deep. Many lobsters and glass-fish. Take care of the swell !!! Tetopa pass, Tahiti Iti.
BeginnerMax depth 16.4 ftBoat entry
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17The Faults of Arue
Very nice cracks and roofs with a nice marine life (gorgonians, surgeonfishs, etc.). Take care of the swell the first 10 first meters... Matavai bay
IntermediateMax depth 65.6 ftBoat entry
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18The Circus
This is the place to meet Mantas. They used to swin within 10m of water all year long! This is also a good dive to meet napoleon wrass, black-tip sharks, and eagle rays. The circus dive site is located just between the Tairapa pass and the lagoon. The Circus is also known as Le cirque.
BeginnerMax depth 49.2 ftBoat entry
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19West Point
The visibility is incredible (> 50m !!!). Marine life is great including sea turtles, grey sharks and blacktip sharks, barracudas and groupers, jacks and trigger fish... Just west from the airport.
IntermediateMax depth 65.6 ftBoat entry
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20Tairapa Pass
Great "drift dive" through the in-coming current with Tuna, Barracudas, grey sharks, blacktip sharks, jacks, napoléon wrasse, trigger fish, morey eels, groupers and of course manta and eagle rays. Tairapa is the only pass of Manihi, located on the southwest side of the atoll. Tairapa Pass is also known as From the wall to the circus.
BeginnerMax depth 32.8 ftBoat entry
Top dive shops in French Polynesia
All 6Eleuthera Bora Diving Center
Book4.8 (133) · Bora Bora
Hemisphere Sub
Book4.8 (48) · Raiatea
The Six Passengers
Book4.7 (150) · Rangiroa
Eleuthera Plongee
Book4.7 (67) · Tahiti
French Polynesia diving guide
Ready to check out the best sites in French Polynesia for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 55 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
Frequently asked questions
Are there dive shops in French Polynesia?
Zentacle lists 6 dive shops in French Polynesia. The top-rated are Eleuthera Bora Diving Center (4.8 from 133 reviews) and Hemisphere Sub (4.8 from 48 reviews).