Explore The Society Islands

Diving in The Society Islands offers an enchanting adventure, renowned for its vibrant marine ecosystems and diverse diving environments. This archipelago, part of French Polynesia, includes Tahiti, Moorea, and the famed Bora Bora. Each island boasts a range of dive sites accessible by short boat rides, nestled within serene lagoons or beyond the protective barrier reefs. Whether you're a novice or seasoned diver, there's something for everyone. The lagoon dives resemble tranquil aquariums, where the colorful reefs teem with life, as schools of fish gather around. For those seeking excitement, the shark-feeding dives in Bora Bora and Moorea are unmissable. Here, lemon and reef sharks gracefully glide overhead, creating a thrilling spectacle as guides expertly orchestrate feeding sessions. Experienced divers can venture beyond the reef, where stronger currents unveil spectacular dive sites. Expect encounters with majestic sharks, playful spinner dolphins, and graceful turtles, all set against the backdrop of the open ocean. The Society Islands truly captivate with their rich biodiversity and unique dive experiences.

Places to Explore

Leeward Islands

10 Divesites 1 Center

The Leeward Islands are the western section of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. They are made up of the islands: Maupiti, Bora Bora, Tahaa, Raiatea, Uturoa, Huahine and a number of small atolls. The Polynesian people are defined by the ocean and it’s no surprise that this love for the sea (or “moana”) has trickled over into the tourism industry. 

Windward islands

44 Divesites 9 Centers

The Windward Islands are a collection of the eastern islands in French Polynesia. It is made up of: Tahiti (the largest and most populous island), Moorea, Mehetia, Tetiaroa and Maiao. French Polynesia is known throughout the world as the ultimate paradise destination: lush, palm fringed beaches, glittering turquoise seas and tranquil lagoons. It is also known to have some of the best scuba diving in the world and diving in the Windward Islands is no exception. 

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ La Vavi

This is the name of the river which flows down from the valley. Here you will discover an overhanging reef covered with gorgonians. You can also spot white-tipped sharks fast asleep. Ocean diving up to 50m.

43
Logs
30
Divers
30.0 m
⌀ Depth
23.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Le Trou du Lagon

A richly diversified lagoon basin, from 2 to 30 meters, where you can observe sleeping white-tip sharks, huge tetrodons, scorpionfish, savon fish, milkfish, anemones, a magnificent coral rose, spondylls, turtles and leopard rays.

67
Logs
38
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Tombant de Papeari

This reef drop-off is covered with gorgonians and soft coral. Without fail you’ll see schools of chubs and paddletail snappers at a depth of 20m. In the deep blue you might just meet mackerel scads being chased by bonito or tuna. Spadelfish (paraha peue) are regular to this spot!

131
Logs
90
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
27.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Le Fer à Cheval

A natural tunnel, shaped like a horseshoe, is carved into the coral and allows the lagoon to meet the ocean. On the side of the ocean you can see white-tipped sharks sleeping on the sand, dancing heteroconger eels, and pipefish (cousin to the seahorse).

9
Logs
7
Divers
26.0 m
⌀ Depth

★★★★★ La Marado

A spectacular terrain : chimneys, a peak (called Oti point), water which is almost always crystal clear. An untouched fauna and flora: gorgonians, octocoralia, anemones, sea slugs, jack fish, murena eels, napoleon fish...

69
Logs
38
Divers
26.0 m
⌀ Depth
25.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Les Gorgones

A dive up to 50m in depth, perfect for budding photographers: orange and violet gorgonians, black coral, octocoralia, soft coral, ghost coral, sea slugs...

22
Logs
20
Divers
31.0 m
⌀ Depth
30.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Dérivante aux tortues

As the name suggests, this is a drift dive where we often bump into turtles! With a little bit of luck we might also see jack mackerels, striped bonitos and dog-toothed tuna in the deep blue... We’ve even seen an Indo-Pacific sailfish!

17
Logs
14
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Tables de Taravao

This is a “2in1” diving experience. First, explore a magnificent vertical drop-off with numerous crevasses, where passing platax and tuna are often encountered. The second part of the dive will take you to explore a superb platier covered with vaulted troughs over a vast expanse.

42
Logs
32
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
22.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ La Grotte du Pari

The cave is located in a lavatube between Teahupoo and Tautira. It’s a large tunnel, just over a hundred meters long and 20 to 30 meters wide.

8
Logs
7
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth

★★★★★ Anau

The dive site Anau offers easy and protected diving in the lagoon. It is possible to see manta rays all year because it is a cleaning station. Turtles are also sometimes observed.

1,953
Logs
1,421
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Tupitipiti

To the south-east of Bora Bora, this magnificent drop-off boasts exceptional visibility, allowing you to enjoy the most beautiful pelagic fauna. At a depth of 20 meters, the superb landscape of caves, faults and canyons is home to numerous nurse sharks, reef sharks and gorgonians.

140
Logs
110
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Toopua

Many tropical fishes gather along this drop-off, among them huge anemones and their clown fish. At the bottom of the wall, a large sand bank where leopard rays and eagle rays come to feed. The dive ends on a beautiful coral garden.

1,066
Logs
807
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Tapu

The Bora Bora classic! An exceptional dive on a magnificent shallow coral plateau with a beautiful drop-off. You can even dive in a cave and see lion fish

1,848
Logs
1,382
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
23.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ La Source, Tahiti

The site owes its name to a freshwater spring emerging from the depths of the ocean. It gushes out at 5-6 meters below the surface and is easily visible due to the column of fresh water escaping from it. This is what is called a halocline. This site is well-known in Tahiti for turtle watching.

2,907
Logs
1,148
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
21.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ La Faille St Etienne, Tahiti

Beautiful opening in the reef. A lot of verticality when arriving at the St. Etienne Drop-off. The upper part of the drop-off is very lively, with plenty of fish and turtles. A magnificent dive, especially with good visibility.

1,986
Logs
818
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
21.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in The Society Islands

The Society Islands, a stunning archipelago in French Polynesia, offer some of the world's top dive sites. Dive travelers flock to the majestic lagoon of Bora Bora, where the lagoon's vibrant coral gardens host a dazzling array of marine life, including manta rays and reef sharks. For wreck enthusiasts, the waters around Raiatea feature fascinating remnants of World War II, inviting exploration of historical shipwrecks teeming with aquatic life.

Huahine's calm shores provide popular spots for shore diving, with easy access to vibrant coral reefs just offshore. Night divers are drawn to Moorea, where unique nocturnal marine behaviors come alive under the moonlit waters. The balance between shore dive accessibility and the adventurous spirit of liveaboard trips in the Society Islands ensures divers of all preferences find their perfect underwater experience, making it a dream destination for underwater enthusiasts worldwide.

The best Months to dive in The Society Islands

The Society Islands offer excellent diving conditions year-round. Water temperatures are consistently warm, ranging from 26°C–29°C/79°F–84°F. This makes diving possible all year, though conditions can vary slightly with the seasons.

Visibility is typically excellent, often exceeding 30 meters/98 feet, providing clear views of vibrant marine life. However, the trade winds, prevalent from May to October, can occasionally affect visibility and create stronger currents, making some dive sites less accessible. The less favorable period is during the cyclone season from November to April, although diving is still feasible with proper planning.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

TAHITI DIVE MANAGEMENT

BP 2006, 98703 PUNAAUIA, PYF

FLUID Tahiti - Diving Center

CHEZ MOSS FLUID BP 2006, 98703 PUNAAUIA, PYF

SCUBAPITI

HOTEL LES TIPANIERS, 98729 PAPETOAI, PYF

TAHITI ITI DIVING

Marina de Phaëton, 98719 TARAVAO, PYF

MOOREA BLUE DIVING

Hotel Moorea Manava Beach, 98728 MOOREA, PYF

NEMOZ DIVING

Ex - Intercontinental Moorea Tiahura, 98728 Moorea, PYF

Dive and Sea Tahiti

BP 42681, 98713 PAPEETE, PYF

BORA OCEAN ADVENTURES

BP 795 Tiipoto, 98730 BORA BORA, PYF

Ecole de Plongée de TAHITI

Marina du Yacht Club, 98701 ARUE - TAHITI, PYF

AQUAFORMATION

Marina Yach Club - Arue, 98713 PAPEETE, PYF