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.

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    • 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. 

    Dive Centers

    Ecole de Plongée de TAHITI

    Ecole de Plongée de TAHITI

    Marina du Yacht Club, 98701 ARUE - TAHITI, French Polynesia
    FLUID Tahiti - Diving Center

    FLUID Tahiti - Diving Center

    CHEZ MOSS FLUID BP 2006, 98703 PUNAAUIA, French Polynesia
    Dive and Sea Tahiti

    Dive and Sea Tahiti

    BP 42681, 98713 PAPEETE, French Polynesia
    TAHITI DIVE MANAGEMENT

    TAHITI DIVE MANAGEMENT

    BP 2006, 98703 PUNAAUIA, French Polynesia

    Dive Sites

    TOPDIVE Tahiti, 98713 PAPEETE
    L&#039; Aquarium, Tahiti <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

    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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

    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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.0)</span>

    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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.7)</span>

    La Dérivante du Phare (★4.7)

    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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★3.9)</span>

    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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

    La Faille Pomare (★4.2)

    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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    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.

    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. 

    Wildlife Sightings

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle
    332 Sightings
    J
    33
    F
    15
    M
    32
    A
    15
    M
    18
    J
    25
    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 approx.: 27

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Barracuda

    Barracuda
    331 Sightings
    J
    26
    F
    17
    M
    31
    A
    20
    M
    24
    J
    25
    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

    Moray Eel
    178 Sightings
    J
    9
    F
    19
    M
    13
    A
    5
    M
    6
    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.: 600

    iStock/ultramarinfoto
    Wrasse

    Wrasse
    121 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    10
    M
    17
    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 approx.: 25

    iStock/Juliosanjuan
    Eagle Ray

    Eagle Ray
    111 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    11
    M
    5
    A
    4
    M
    5
    J
    7
    J
    0
    A
    19
    S
    9
    O
    15
    N
    24
    D
    10
    Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle
    94 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    1
    M
    2
    A
    12
    M
    26
    J
    15
    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

    Parrotfish
    1.1k Sightings
    J
    70
    F
    55
    M
    87
    A
    74
    M
    88
    J
    89
    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

    Triggerfish
    943 Sightings
    J
    78
    F
    50
    M
    87
    A
    82
    M
    83
    J
    68
    J
    92
    A
    97
    S
    66
    O
    80
    N
    90
    D
    70
    AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin
    Blacktip Reef Shark

    Blacktip Reef Shark
    859 Sightings
    J
    67
    F
    53
    M
    63
    A
    55
    M
    64
    J
    70
    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

    Butterfly Fish
    699 Sightings
    J
    41
    F
    24
    M
    51
    A
    53
    M
    52
    J
    69
    J
    84
    A
    86
    S
    52
    O
    64
    N
    64
    D
    59
    Show More
    AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
    Grey Reef Shark

    Grey Reef Shark
    573 Sightings
    J
    64
    F
    33
    M
    30
    A
    28
    M
    48
    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 approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Rich Carey
    Angelfish

    Angelfish
    572 Sightings
    J
    33
    F
    11
    M
    36
    A
    40
    M
    58
    J
    67
    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 approx.: 350

    Alamy-Andre Seal
    Damselfish

    Damselfish
    470 Sightings
    J
    23
    F
    8
    M
    43
    A
    54
    M
    38
    J
    45
    J
    60
    A
    44
    S
    42
    O
    45
    N
    37
    D
    31

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

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    iStock-mirecca
    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish
    466 Sightings
    J
    25
    F
    26
    M
    29
    A
    36
    M
    51
    J
    24
    J
    60
    A
    54
    S
    36
    O
    35
    N
    50
    D
    40
    iStock-June Jacobsen
    Whitetip Reef Shark

    Whitetip Reef Shark
    404 Sightings
    J
    35
    F
    23
    M
    28
    A
    27
    M
    27
    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 approx.: 8

    Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish
    404 Sightings
    J
    22
    F
    7
    M
    27
    A
    37
    M
    28
    J
    38
    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 approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish
    399 Sightings
    J
    27
    F
    14
    M
    23
    A
    34
    M
    39
    J
    33
    J
    42
    A
    50
    S
    31
    O
    30
    N
    54
    D
    22
    iStock-FionaAyerst
    Lemon Shark

    Lemon Shark
    365 Sightings
    J
    22
    F
    24
    M
    34
    A
    25
    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 approx.: 40

    iStock-Hoatzinexp
    Jackfish

    Jackfish
    359 Sightings
    J
    39
    F
    11
    M
    34
    A
    35
    M
    31
    J
    21
    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 approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
    Goatfish

    Goatfish
    316 Sightings
    J
    13
    F
    6
    M
    25
    A
    31
    M
    25
    J
    15
    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 approx.: 28

    Udo Kefrig
    Clownfish

    Clownfish
    296 Sightings
    J
    20
    F
    8
    M
    16
    A
    26
    M
    26
    J
    25
    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 approx.: 2

    AdobeStock-hakbak
    Nurse Shark

    Nurse Shark
    170 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    0
    M
    5
    A
    10
    M
    25
    J
    47
    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 approx.: 3

    Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish
    102 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    12
    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 approx.: 25

    AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
    Boxfish

    Boxfish
    94 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    17
    M
    0
    J
    9
    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 approx.: 80

    iStock-bearacreative
    Emperor

    Emperor
    81 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    11
    M
    12
    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 approx.: 150

    Shutterstock-aquapix
    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts
    71 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    4
    M
    0
    A
    12
    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 approx.: 12

    iStock/cinoby
    Lionfish

    Lionfish
    68 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    14
    M
    0
    A
    11
    M
    1
    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 approx.: 15

    Shutterstock-Al McGlashan
    Tuna

    Tuna
    56 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    1
    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 approx.: 130

    AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish
    55 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    1
    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 approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish
    54 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    1
    M
    0
    A
    12
    M
    1
    J
    5
    J
    17
    A
    7
    S
    1
    O
    0
    N
    8
    D
    0

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

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    SSI-Peter-Schinck
    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch
    54 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    1
    M
    13
    A
    16
    M
    9
    J
    12
    J
    1
    A
    0
    S
    1
    O
    1
    N
    0
    D
    0

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

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets
    54 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    1
    M
    0
    A
    5
    M
    0
    J
    0
    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 approx.: 80

    iStock/Extreme-Photographer
    Stingrays

    Stingrays
    29 Sightings
    J
    8
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    9
    M
    1
    J
    1
    J
    1
    A
    0
    S
    1
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    8