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.
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
326 Sightings
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33
F
15
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32
A
14
M
15
J
23
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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 approx.: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
319 Sightings
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26
F
17
M
31
A
16
M
17
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 approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
175 Sightings
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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 approx.: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
111 Sightings
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2
F
11
M
5
A
5
M
4
J
7
J
0
A
19
S
9
O
15
N
24
D
10
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
106 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
12
J
13
J
29
A
5
S
13
O
15
N
13
D
6
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
83 Sightings
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3
F
1
M
2
A
11
M
26
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 approx.: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
1k Sightings
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70
F
55
M
86
A
58
M
62
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 approx.: 40
iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish
893 Sightings
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78
F
50
M
87
A
69
M
56
J
58
J
92
A
97
S
66
O
80
N
90
D
70
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin
Blacktip Reef Shark
845 Sightings
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67
F
53
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63
A
51
M
55
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 approx.: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
637 Sightings
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41
F
24
M
50
A
29
M
26
J
58
J
84
A
86
S
52
O
64
N
64
D
59
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.
