Diving in Papeete

Papeete is the capital “city” of French Polynesia. Located on the largest island of Tahiti in the administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands, it is the touristic and financial hub of the archipelago with the only international airport - Faa’a. 

Diving in Papeete is a very popular activity. There are the archetypal diving resorts scattered around the commune, while there are also independent diving centres for those who wish to stay elsewhere. Diving courses are popular in French Polynesia as the diving is generally warm, calm and features exceptional visibility, sometimes exceeding 40m. Liveaboards are a great option if you wish to visit other islands to dive and most leave from Papeete. 

Highlights of diving in Papeete include the spectacular clarity and vibrancy of the coral reefs, the abundance of fish, macro and pelagic life and the beautiful conditions, which both novice and expert divers will adore.

Courses and Events

Open Water Diver

Notre centre de plongée est ton partenaire idéal pour devenir un plongeur accompli !L’Open Water Diver chez SSI Cette formation te permet de devenir un plongeur autonome jusqu’à 20m en Polynésie (18m ailleurs dans le monde). Elle est ouverte à tous, que tu sois débutant ou que tu aies déjà fait un baptême.Elle comprend :2 plongées techniques en lagon4 plongées techniques en océanUn accès à la plateforme SSI pour suivre les cours théoriques en ligne (6 modules + QCM en fin de chaque chapitre)Un QCM final à faire au club ou en ligne pour valider la formationÀ savoir : il faut avoir fait un baptême il y a moins de 6 mois pour accéder à la formation.Le paiement se fait au moment de la réservation pour qu’on puisse débloquer tes cours. Il faudra compléter 100 % des modules et télécharger les documents demandés avant de commencer la pratique.Gagne du temps en créant ton profil de plongeur chez Fluid et suit ce lien : https://diver.adive.app/fluid/new-diver.N’hésite pas à nous donner tes disponibilités afin que nous puissions te proposer un planning adapté. Notre centre est ouvert tous les jours ! Nous sortons à 07h40, 10h00 et 13h30.
On Request

Dive Activity

Diving in Papeete

There is no better place to experience tropical diving than French Polynesia. The dive sites display incredible biodiversity and fascinating topography, a relic of the islands volcanic nature so easily forgotten in the peaceful paradise above the surface. 

Whilst the stars of the show are undoubtedly the coral reef systems, there are a number of wrecks to explore, including WWII shipwrecks and a cessna aircraft. Liveaboard diving is popular in French Polynesia due to the calm, beautiful surroundings and most of these depart and return to Papeete because of its proximity to the only international airport. 

Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
313 Sightings
J
33
F
15
M
26
A
11
M
11
J
23
J
36
A
50
S
8
O
37
N
39
D
24

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
313 Sightings
J
26
F
16
M
29
A
15
M
15
J
24
J
16
A
36
S
27
O
39
N
43
D
27

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
175 Sightings
J
9
F
19
M
13
A
5
M
3
J
7
J
39
A
31
S
19
O
6
N
19
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
111 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
6
M
11
J
13
J
29
A
5
S
13
O
15
N
13
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan

Eagle Ray
107 Sightings
J
2
F
7
M
5
A
2
M
7
J
7
J
0
A
19
S
9
O
15
N
24
D
10
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov

Hawksbill Turtle
61 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
2
A
0
M
15
J
5
J
15
A
8
S
4
O
6
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
993 Sightings
J
70
F
53
M
76
A
56
M
59
J
82
J
107
A
114
S
95
O
101
N
104
D
76

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
865 Sightings
J
78
F
48
M
81
A
54
M
51
J
58
J
92
A
97
S
66
O
80
N
90
D
70
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin

Blacktip Reef Shark
835 Sightings
J
67
F
52
M
61
A
46
M
53
J
69
J
78
A
99
S
84
O
100
N
80
D
46

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
610 Sightings
J
41
F
13
M
35
A
29
M
25
J
58
J
84
A
86
S
52
O
64
N
64
D
59
Show More
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer

Grey Reef Shark
556 Sightings
J
64
F
32
M
28
A
21
M
41
J
42
J
53
A
62
S
41
O
60
N
62
D
50

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
508 Sightings
J
33
F
11
M
26
A
18
M
30
J
63
J
66
A
69
S
44
O
52
N
51
D
45

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
435 Sightings
J
25
F
25
M
27
A
26
M
33
J
24
J
60
A
54
S
36
O
35
N
50
D
40
iStock-June Jacobsen

Whitetip Reef Shark
402 Sightings
J
35
F
23
M
28
A
27
M
25
J
29
J
45
A
63
S
36
O
34
N
39
D
18

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
397 Sightings
J
23
F
7
M
33
A
30
M
11
J
34
J
60
A
44
S
42
O
45
N
37
D
31
iStock-FionaAyerst

Lemon Shark
362 Sightings
J
22
F
24
M
34
A
22
M
35
J
42
J
52
A
43
S
18
O
17
N
40
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
351 Sightings
J
22
F
7
M
14
A
18
M
10
J
35
J
52
A
35
S
34
O
41
N
46
D
37

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
347 Sightings
J
27
F
4
M
13
A
16
M
27
J
31
J
42
A
50
S
31
O
30
N
54
D
22

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
333 Sightings
J
39
F
11
M
34
A
22
M
20
J
19
J
22
A
43
S
26
O
27
N
38
D
32

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
274 Sightings
J
20
F
8
M
10
A
18
M
19
J
24
J
27
A
36
S
28
O
33
N
25
D
26

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
267 Sightings
J
13
F
6
M
14
A
14
M
0
J
19
J
41
A
24
S
33
O
36
N
40
D
27

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 2

AdobeStock-hakbak

Nurse Shark
138 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
5
A
4
M
14
J
32
J
27
A
24
S
4
O
17
N
6
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
98 Sightings
J
5
F
0
M
0
A
8
M
0
J
12
J
23
A
21
S
6
O
12
N
10
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
82 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
6
M
0
J
8
J
6
A
15
S
5
O
13
N
23
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
67 Sightings
J
1
F
4
M
0
A
8
M
0
J
23
J
17
A
0
S
3
O
0
N
6
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
61 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
7
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
1
S
20
O
22
N
4
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
61 Sightings
J
2
F
14
M
0
A
5
M
0
J
7
J
10
A
1
S
13
O
3
N
2
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan

Tuna
58 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
13
J
2
A
4
S
20
O
2
N
11
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock-bearacreative

Emperor
58 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
11
J
19
A
0
S
0
O
10
N
8
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
56 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
4
J
11
A
21
S
10
O
0
N
4
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
51 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
10
M
0
J
5
J
17
A
7
S
1
O
0
N
8
D
0

The best Months to dive in Papeete

Diving in Papeete is possible year round due to the generally stable weather though it does have a tropical monsoon climate. The wet season is between November and February, when the rainfall is heaviest, but precipitation can occur year round. This is the warmest season, peaking at around 30oC but yearly averages are 27oC. 

The dry season is from May to October. This is the coolest and driest season, though the weather is still comfortably in the mid 20s. July to November is the best time of year to see humpback whales and their calves as they migrate north to mate and give birth before returning to the Antarctic. 

Dive Centers

Ecole de Plongée de TAHITI

Marina du Yacht Club, 98701 ARUE - TAHITI, French Polynesia

FLUID Tahiti - Diving Center

CHEZ MOSS FLUID BP 2006, 98703 PUNAAUIA, French Polynesia

Dive and Sea Tahiti

BP 42681, 98713 PAPEETE, French Polynesia

TAHITI DIVE MANAGEMENT

BP 2006, 98703 PUNAAUIA, French Polynesia

Dive Sites

TOPDIVE Tahiti, 98713 PAPEETE

L' Aquarium, Tahiti (★4.3)

Certainly the best site for beginners in Tahiti. A coral ring which is ideal for a first dive. There are also 3 wrecks lying on the sand: a Cessna (5 m) and 2 boats.
TOPDIVE Tahiti, 98713 PAPEETE

La Vallée blanche, Tahiti (★4.3)

One of the most beautiful dive of Tahiti for its fauna. Grey sharks, white tip, black tip, lemon and sometimes even the majestic tiger shark. The dive is particularly recommended for drift diving.
TOPDIVE Tahiti, 98713 PAPEETE

La Zélée, Tahiti (★4.2)

The Zélée site is located near the port of Papeete, where you can find the remnants of the wreck of a small gunboat scattered in several pieces. The Zélée was a French gunboat launched in 1899 and sunk in 1914 during the Battle of Papeete.
TOPDIVE Tahiti, 98713 PAPEETE

La Faille d Arue (★4.3)

This wall starts at 5 meters, after crossing a beautiful coral plateau and then, at about 25m, you will find a beautiful cave that looks strangely like a church door.
Scubapro

Les Éboulis (★4.6)

Just a few minutes from the Taina marina, this site allows you to explore the bottom of the channel and the shallow area between the lagoon and the coral barrier. A favored habitat for stonefish, scorpionfish, and lionfish, the site also reveals delightful surprises during night dives.
Aqualung

Papa Whisky, Tahiti (★4.0)

This site takes the form of a vast amphitheater created by the collapse of a portion of the underwater plateau. Divers have two exploration options, one at the southern end of the arena and the other at the northern point. The depth of the site ranges from 8 meters to 40 meters.
Mares

La Dérivante du Phare (★4.5)

Just 20 minutes by boat from the Taina marina, you have the opportunity to explore the northwest tip of Tahiti’s coral plateau. A lighthouse guides boats to spot the coral reef and the beginning of the lagoon as they navigate around Tahiti.
Mares

Tahi Nui (★3.9)

Located near the White Valley, this site houses the ancient remnants of the Tahi Nui boat wreck, resting at a depth of approximately 30/40 meters. A magnificent colony of rose-shaped coral adorns the seabed near a breathtaking drop-off.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Hydravion et Goelett (★4.3)

One of the few wreck sites in Polynesia. You will explore the wreckage of the Catalina PBY-5A, given by the US Navy to the RAI (Régie Aérienne Inter-insulaire, the ancestor of Air Tahiti) and flown in the Polynesian air in the 1950s.
Mares

La Grotte de Arue (★4.4)

On the outer edge of the coral reef facing the lagoon of Arue, you will discover a diving site housing a small cave beginning at 27 meters and ending at 30 meters.
Mares

La Faille Pomare (★4.3)

The Drop-off at its peak, neighboring the Arue’s fault, often done as a drift dive. When the current is incoming, encounters can be spontaneous.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Les Roses de Matavai, Tahiti (★4.3)

The rose-shaped corals become visible from a depth of about thirty meters and extend over a vast area as far as the eye can see. The atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing. The corals are remarkably beautiful, providing a very pleasant experience as you explore this immense garden that seems to stretch to infinity.