Trip to French Polynesia - the best diving spots

French Polynesia This is one of the paradise destinations that each of us dreams of: turquoise water, beaches with white, fine sand, along which coconut trees grow, swaying in the wind... And underwater, an extraordinary wealth of coral reefs and sea creatures of all kinds - the dream of anyone who dives or is looking for the best place to do it for the first time. This island country is located in the southern hemisphere, in the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Australia and South America. Such famous people as French painters Paul Gauguin and Henri Matisse have traveled here (Polynesia is still a country under French rule). In the following article, we will focus mainly on diving spots on Polynesian islands. Interested? We invite you to read and then book a tailor-made trip to French Polynesia from Planet Escape!

When to go to Polynesia?

French Polynesia is a country made up of 118 islands scattered over an area of ​​over 2000 kilometers of the Pacific Ocean, so the weather varies slightly depending on the island. Generally, however, there is a tropical climate here. The weather is shaped by the trade winds - intertropical winds. From November to April it is hot and humid here, and between May and October - dry and slightly cooler, although it is worth knowing that even then during the day the temperatures are rarely lower than 28°C, so if you are going to a trip to Polynesia, we recommend this period. The water on the coast is warm all year round. It is also worth knowing that cyclones occur in the hot and humid period, but they appear here rarely - on average less than once a year, and on some islands the probability of their occurrence is close to zero.

Where to dive in French Polynesia?

French Polynesia is one of the best places in the world for diving enthusiasts, and a trip to Polynesia is a great opportunity to snorkel or dive with a scuba diver. The islands are not tightly packed, they have free access to the open ocean, so you have a chance to see an incredible wealth of the underwater world here. The waters are exceptionally clear, with good visibility, warm all year round. Snorkeling fans or less advanced snorkelers will certainly be tempted by the lagoon areas, of which there are many here, and more advanced divers can sail beyond the barrier of the coral reef.

Tahiti

You probably won't miss this largest Polynesian island - it is here, in the country's capital Papeete, that the international airport is located. It is true that you won't see such a wealth of underwater creatures here as around other islands (although there are plenty of them here anyway!), but that doesn't mean it's not worth diving here: in Tahiti you will find several great places, such as the so-called aquarium, located inside the lagoon, with two wrecks of sailing ships and a plane and a coral reef. In another place, there are more wrecks: a cargo ship and a Catalina plane from World War II. The ship lies at a depth of 13 to 25 meters. Another diving spot worth visiting is the underwater cave located east of Papeete.

Tahiti

Moorea

The coral reef-lined coast of Moorea is full of underwater canyons, crevices, and clefts that later turn into elevations. There are no strong currents here, which creates good conditions for beginners, while more advanced divers can try their hand at deeper crevices. When you sail out beyond the reef, you have a chance to see a type of large shark – the lemon shark, which can grow to 3,5 metres long, an endangered species (it is rather harmless to humans, which is why many divers look for places where they can meet it), as well as whales, including humpback whales, which migrate to this area from August to October.

Moorea

Huahine

If you are looking for a less touristy island, without crowds both on the surface and underwater, check out this island. What's more, thanks to its relatively low popularity, the underwater world here is still unchanged, wild and untouched. For this reason, you can see many species of underwater creatures here. Among the more interesting species, it is worth mentioning the blacktip shark, a shark reaching about 1,5 meters, which usually keeps a safe distance from people.

Huahine

Bora Bora

Bora Bora, probably the most popular Polynesian island after Tahiti, is surrounded by atolls (coral islands) that create lagoons – bodies of water cut off from the sea. The lagoon on Bora Bora, surrounded by a coral reef, is considered one of the most beautiful in the world, famous especially among divers, and it is worth including this island on your list of tailor-made trips to Polynesia. Diving in the lagoon is ideal for beginners, and more advanced divers can also swim out beyond the reef. The lagoon is inhabited by many manta rays, also known as sea devils and reaching a length of 3-5 meters. You can also see several types of sharks around the island, including the lemon shark and the bull shark (also rarely aggressive towards humans). If you’re interested in humpback whales, from August to October they swim around Tupai, a heart-shaped island north of Bora Bora (several dive centers in Bora Bora organize boat trips there). There’s also a famous dive site north of the island – Tupitipiti. The corals have created an underwater cave here.

Bora Bora

Fakarava

This atoll, part of the Tuamotu archipelago, is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, which speaks for itself. The two main dive sites are Garuae in the north and Tumakohua in the south. Here you have the chance to see grey reef sharks, barracudas, parrotfish, turtles and manta rays, among others.

Fakarava

Rangiroa

This is the second largest atoll in the world, also part of the Tuamotu archipelago. The water here is exceptionally clear, even compared to other islands in French Polynesia. We recommend this place to slightly more experienced divers due to the strong currents. There are exceptionally many sharks here, and from December to March, at the diving spot called Tiputa, you have a good chance of seeing hammerhead sharks.

Rangiroa

Tikehau

Another atoll that is part of the Tuamotu archipelago, the western neighbor of the above-described Rangiroa island. Jacques Cousteau, a famous sailor and oceanographer, as well as a film director, once mentioned that this islet has the largest number of fish and their species in the entire Tuamotu archipelago. Maybe you can see for yourself?

Tikehau

The underwater life of French Polynesia

The waters surrounding the islands of French Polynesia hide an extraordinary, colourful wealth of species. The coral reefs here are yellow, purple, fluorescent green and turquoise. There are about 950 species of fish here! Among them, you will see not only the classics, usually sought after among the reefs, spotted clownfish (in other words, Nemo fish), neon parrotfish in all the colours of the rainbow, groupers reaching 2,5 metres in length, or bright moray eels, but also manta rays (sea devils), fish with wings, the volume of which can exceed even 4 metres, or other species of manta rays, with speckled backs. Two species of sea turtles live in the local waters: green, which reach up to 1,5 metres in length and 230 kilograms in weight, and slightly smaller hawksbill turtles, up to 90 centimetres long. The real underwater celebrities, which make a trip to Polynesia (at least for some), are sharks, of which there are a lot: grey reef sharks, bull sharks, blacktip sharks, yellow sharks, bearded sharks, silky sharks, and for the lucky ones, rarer tiger and hammerhead sharks. Beyond the reef line, you will certainly come across entire schools of bonito fish, various species of tuna, Spanish mackerel or dolphin. What's more, as many as 20 species of marine mammals have been observed here, including humpback whales, which arrive in July-August and stay until October, and the well-known bottlenose dolphins. We usually watch the latter when they do tricks in dolphinariums - here they can be seen in their natural environment.

Manta

Best hotels in French Polynesia

After diving during your vacation in French Polynesia, it is best to rest and relax in one of the local luxury hotels. If you decide to travel to Polynesia with Planet Escape, our specialists will certainly recommend one of the following hotels, selected and tested especially for you.

A journey through the four most beautiful islands of French Polynesia

FRENCH POLYNESIA - Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora
French Polynesia is a utopia and has been synonymous for centuries with paradise on earth, crystal clear waters and white beaches. Bora Bora and other islands are a utopian Eden, where you can admire unrealistically beautiful sunsets over the Pacific. The wonders of nature can be seen here at every step, which you will see right after your arrival! This is one of those trips that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

Four Seasons – Bora Bora

This five-star hotel from the luxurious Four Seasons chain is the perfect complement to your exclusive trip to Polynesia! The hotel is located right on the beach, and you can also see Mount Otemanu from here. You can stay in a villa with a sea view or in bungalows built over the water, with a jetty, which allows you to go ashore. If you choose a bungalow, you can jump into the ocean right from its terrace! Some bungalows even have private pools. Importantly, Four Seasons organizes diving - both with a scuba tank and snorkel, but also a ride on an underwater scooter and a walk on the ocean floor! After diving, you can use the spa, yoga lessons or fitness classes, the tennis court, go fishing or hang gliding. Sounds tempting?

Four Seasons Bora Bora

Le Meridien – Bora Bora

At the luxurious Le Meridien, you will not only stay in bungalows (beach or overwater) or a villa with a private pool, use two infinity pools with ocean views and a spa, eat or drink something in two restaurants and two bars, but you can also watch (included in the price of your stay) sea turtle feeding in the hotel foundation every day. This is one of only two places of this type in the whole of Polynesia. In addition to feeding and observing turtles, in the foundation you will see themed aquariums with sea creatures, observe underwater fauna living in the local lagoon without entering the water, and even touch (under the watchful eye of biologists) sea urchins, corals and starfish. This is a real treat, and not only for children!

Le Meridien Bora Bora

Sofitel – Moorea

The five-star Sofitel is our favorite on Moorea Island. It is located right next to a private beach, accessible only to guests. Here, too, you will stay in bungalows with terraces, some of which are built on the water and even have a glass part of the floor, so you can watch the underwater world from your room! Snorkeling equipment is available for free, and the hotel also organizes boat trips, including those with a glass bottom (another opportunity to look at the wealth of sea creatures without getting into the water). The beach and pool bars are great places to relax with a drink in your hand, and even the most demanding gourmet will find something for themselves in the menu of the two restaurants.

Sofitel Moorea