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.

Upcoming Events

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' Aquarium, Tahiti (★4.4)

L' Aquarium, Tahiti (★4.4)

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)

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 (★4.3)

La Zélée, Tahiti (★4.3)

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)

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 (★4.7)

Les Éboulis (★4.7)

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)

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 (★4.7)

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 (★3.9)

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)

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)

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 (★4.2)

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 (★4.3)

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
506 Sightings
J
46
F
25
M
40
A
31
M
24
J
44
J
64
A
77
S
24
O
42
N
54
D
35

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
398 Sightings
J
30
F
22
M
34
A
20
M
29
J
30
J
20
A
44
S
31
O
44
N
61
D
33

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
282 Sightings
J
12
F
30
M
24
A
14
M
10
J
28
J
52
A
47
S
26
O
12
N
21
D
6

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
201 Sightings
J
2
F
4
M
8
A
15
M
24
J
30
J
47
A
10
S
18
O
18
N
17
D
8
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
183 Sightings
J
5
F
8
M
15
A
24
M
29
J
29
J
27
A
14
S
13
O
7
N
10
D
2

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
132 Sightings
J
3
F
10
M
6
A
6
M
6
J
10
J
4
A
19
S
10
O
15
N
30
D
13

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
1.4k Sightings
J
74
F
73
M
113
A
101
M
122
J
130
J
174
A
170
S
120
O
117
N
130
D
102

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
1.4k Sightings
J
101
F
84
M
136
A
114
M
124
J
101
J
148
A
153
S
95
O
103
N
116
D
97
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark
1.1k Sightings
J
87
F
79
M
81
A
66
M
74
J
80
J
107
A
129
S
111
O
113
N
109
D
63

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
943 Sightings
J
44
F
34
M
62
A
65
M
83
J
100
J
116
A
134
S
71
O
89
N
71
D
74

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
799 Sightings
J
35
F
23
M
44
A
50
M
87
J
102
J
104
A
113
S
60
O
71
N
58
D
52
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark
706 Sightings
J
75
F
44
M
31
A
30
M
49
J
46
J
77
A
87
S
52
O
79
N
80
D
56

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
680 Sightings
J
24
F
20
M
50
A
64
M
63
J
67
J
87
A
88
S
54
O
68
N
49
D
46

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
668 Sightings
J
26
F
40
M
40
A
50
M
67
J
51
J
83
A
97
S
55
O
44
N
59
D
56

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
578 Sightings
J
28
F
32
M
33
A
50
M
58
J
57
J
60
A
76
S
44
O
38
N
68
D
34

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
549 Sightings
J
25
F
17
M
33
A
43
M
42
J
69
J
72
A
59
S
40
O
49
N
56
D
44
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark
443 Sightings
J
37
F
28
M
29
A
27
M
32
J
29
J
50
A
76
S
39
O
34
N
41
D
21

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
438 Sightings
J
43
F
13
M
39
A
37
M
39
J
24
J
28
A
58
S
41
O
31
N
43
D
42

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
437 Sightings
J
4
F
12
M
41
A
45
M
65
J
98
J
64
A
63
S
8
O
23
N
10
D
4
iStock-FionaAyerst
Lemon Shark

Lemon Shark
416 Sightings
J
25
F
26
M
38
A
29
M
37
J
49
J
58
A
50
S
21
O
17
N
52
D
14

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
378 Sightings
J
20
F
8
M
21
A
31
M
33
J
40
J
38
A
42
S
38
O
43
N
29
D
35

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
377 Sightings
J
13
F
12
M
28
A
38
M
27
J
23
J
56
A
31
S
37
O
40
N
42
D
30

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
177 Sightings
J
6
F
7
M
13
A
20
M
5
J
22
J
34
A
25
S
10
O
15
N
15
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
176 Sightings
J
2
F
20
M
5
A
20
M
11
J
24
J
32
A
17
S
22
O
9
N
9
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

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
163 Sightings
J
4
F
4
M
2
A
20
M
7
J
27
J
3
A
31
S
9
O
20
N
26
D
10

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
116 Sightings
J
1
F
5
M
2
A
12
M
1
J
35
J
26
A
8
S
6
O
4
N
6
D
10

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
104 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
11
M
10
J
16
J
25
A
11
S
1
O
10
N
8
D
10

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
94 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
9
A
4
M
9
J
4
J
6
A
1
S
20
O
25
N
7
D
6

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
91 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
0
A
12
M
5
J
20
J
27
A
6
S
7
O
0
N
6
D
3

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
86 Sightings
J
1
F
9
M
0
A
9
M
0
J
5
J
12
A
31
S
14
O
0
N
5
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
75 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
14
A
17
M
11
J
13
J
16
A
1
S
0
O
2
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.: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan
Tuna

Tuna
74 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
3
J
13
J
2
A
13
S
21
O
4
N
11
D
1

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

Total number of species approx.: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder
Garfish

Garfish
49 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
A
3
M
0
J
17
J
21
A
0
S
0
O
0
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.: 3

Shutterstock-Miroslav Halama
Cornetfish

Cornetfish
43 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
4
A
2
M
8
J
4
J
2
A
5
S
11
O
3
N
0
D
1
iStock-Lindsey Dougherty
Silvertip Shark

Silvertip Shark
36 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
4
A
8
M
0
J
1
J
3
A
3
S
7
O
0
N
3
D
4