Dive Site in Tahiti
Tahiti, a jewel of the South Pacific, is renowned for its breathtaking dive sites, offering unforgettable underwater adventures for divers of all levels. From vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life to dramatic drop-offs and thrilling drift dives, Tahiti’s dive sites provide a gateway to an aquatic paradise.
Whether you’re exploring the bustling waters near Papeete or the tranquil depths around Tahiti Iti, these dive sites deliver unparalleled underwater beauty. Dive centers across the island offer expert guidance and top-tier equipment, ensuring a safe and enriching experience for all.
Tahiti’s dive sites are a testament to the island’s natural splendor, promising memories that will last a lifetime.
La Vallée Blanche (White Valley)
Known for multiple shark species (blacktip, whitetip, lemon, gray, tiger), schools of milkfish, and diverse marine life. Offers both drift dives and stationary observation.
Depth Range: 15–40 meters
Experience Level: All levels
La Source (The Spring)
Features vibrant coral reefs, hawksbill and green sea turtles, clownfish, and reef fish. Freshwater springs create a unique blurry visual effect.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: All levels
Le Dent (The Tooth)
Offers coral gardens, vertical coral walls, and species like butterflyfish and trumpetfish.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: All levels
Arue Cave
Features a coral plateau, vertical walls, and an underwater cave. A technical dive site requiring advanced certification.
Depth Range: 30 meters
Experience Level: Advanced
Tahiti Iti Reefs
Known for pristine coral formations, drop-offs, and excellent visibility. These less frequented reefs offer a serene dive experience.
Depth Range: Varies
Experience Level: All levels
The Aquarium (Aquarium de Tahiti)
Shallow site with a vibrant coral garden, sunken ships, and planes. Ideal for beginners.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Beginners
The Cargo Ship Wrecks
Located near Marina Taina in Punaauia, featuring abundant marine life like moray eels and lionfish.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: Advanced
Passe de Taapuna
Known for drift diving through a reef pass, with sightings of rays, reef sharks, and barracudas.
Depth Range: Varies
Experience Level: Intermediate
Pointe des Pecheurs (Fisherman's Point)
Showcases beautiful coral reefs and a variety of reef fish species. A favorite for underwater photographers.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: All levels
Taharaa
Located near Arue, featuring coral walls teeming with reef fish, anemones, and crustaceans.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: All levels
Te Maru Reef
Renowned for untouched coral formations and clear waters on Tahiti Iti.
Depth Range: Shallow to moderate
Experience Level: All levels
The Napoleon Spot
Famous for sightings of Napoleon wrasse, a large charismatic marine species.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: Intermediate
Faaa Lagoon
Protected lagoon with calm waters and a diverse selection of marine life, including clownfish and sea turtles.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Beginners
Papa Whisky
An amphitheater-shaped site with dramatic rock formations, vibrant corals, and marine life like tuna and reef sharks.
Depth Range: Up to 50 meters
Experience Level: Advanced
The Marado
Sheer underwater walls and diverse marine life, including blacktip reef sharks and wrasse.
Depth Range: Up to 35 meters
Experience Level: Intermediate to advanced
White Valley
Features large pelagic species like sharks (gray, lemon, tiger), barracudas, and schools of jacks.
Depth Range: Varies
Experience Level: All levels
Arutua Pass
Vibrant coral gardens with schooling fish, rays, and dolphins drawn by currents.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: Intermediate
Vaiava Reef
Shallow coral gardens near Vaiava Beach, ideal for beginner divers and snorkelers.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Beginners
Tupai Pass
Accessible from Tahiti, offering stunning coral formations and encounters with rays and turtles.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: Intermediate
Pointe Vénus
Located on Tahiti’s northeast coast, it features calm waters, coral bommies, and sandy areas.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Beginners
Pointe Mataiea
Known for impressive coral walls, pinnacles, caves, and marine life like reef sharks and turtles.
Depth Range: Varies
Experience Level: Intermediate
The Three Wrecks
A shallow site with three wrecks, abundant marine life, and excellent for underwater photography.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: All levels
The Japanese Garden
Colorful coral gardens with small reef fish and nudibranchs, resembling a zen garden.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: All levels
Papeete Pass
Popular for spotting large pelagic species like tuna, barracudas, and manta rays.
Depth Range: Varies
Experience Level: Intermediate
To’ata Reef
Urban dive site near Papeete with octopuses, lobsters, and reef fish.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: All levels
The Shark Pit
Frequented by shark species such as blacktip and gray reef sharks, providing a thrilling dive experience.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: Advanced
Teahupo'o Reefs
Offers excellent visibility and unspoiled coral formations near Tahiti Iti.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: Intermediate
Tupai Lagoon
Known for calm waters, stingrays, and reef fish, making it a tranquil spot for beginners and snorkelers.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Beginners
Punaauia Coral Gardens
Shallow coral reefs with colorful reef fish, rays, and occasional sea turtles. Ideal for snorkelers and beginner divers.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Beginner
Roche Anglaise (English Rock)
Deep dive site with volcanic rock formations and pelagic species like sharks, tuna, and schools of fish.
Depth Range: Deep
Experience Level: Advanced
The Cathedral (La Cathédrale)
Underwater rock formations and swim-throughs resembling a cathedral. Home to reef fish and occasional groupers.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: Intermediate
Mahina Bay
Diverse underwater habitats with sandy flats and coral bommies. Ideal for macro photography.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Beginner
Moorea Proximity Dives
Includes sites like Opunohu Canyons and Tiki Point, known for shark encounters and coral landscapes.
Depth Range: Varied
Experience Level: Intermediate
The Arch (L’Arche)
Underwater archway encrusted with corals and sponges. Home to schools of snapper, barracudas, and hammerhead sharks.
Depth Range: Deep
Experience Level: Advanced
Papenoo Canyon
Dramatic canyon walls and thriving coral reefs, ideal for experienced divers interested in geological formations.
Depth Range: Deep
Experience Level: Advanced
Tautira Bay
Calm bay with various coral structures, perfect for macro diving enthusiasts seeking smaller marine species.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Beginner
Faa’a Lagoon Drop-Off
Steep wall dive, with sightings of moray eels, reef sharks, and occasional pelagic visitors.
Depth Range: Deep
Experience Level: Intermediate
The Plane Wrecks
Submerged WWII aircraft with marine life making the structures their home. Great for wreck diving enthusiasts.
Depth Range: Varied
Experience Level: Intermediate
Te Pari Point
Challenging site with powerful currents, offering dramatic underwater cliffs, pelagic encounters, and coral structures.
Depth Range: Deep
Experience Level: Advanced
Nuuroa Canyon
Deep canyons and overhangs, with schools of jacks and trevallies, and reef sharks patrolling the area.
Depth Range: Deep
Experience Level: Advanced
Outer Reef Walls
Pristine conditions with coral life and pelagic species like tuna and barracudas. Ideal for advanced divers.
Depth Range: Deep
Experience Level: Advanced
Orohiti Reef
Shallow coral gardens with smaller fish species, ideal for macro photography and intimate diving experiences.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Beginner
The Lost Caves (Les Cavernes Perdues)
Underwater caves with reef fish, moray eels, and occasional sharks. A thrilling dive experience.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: Intermediate
La Roche de la Pêche
Deep dive site with pelagic fish like tuna and barracuda, and reef sharks. Suitable for advanced divers.
Depth Range: Deep
Experience Level: Advanced
Punaauia Lagoon
Shallow lagoon with various reef species, ideal for beginners and underwater photographers.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Beginner
Ha'apiti
Crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral gardens, famous for manta rays. Great for photography.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Intermediate
Te Ava Iti
Strong currents, with large marine life like barracuda, jackfish, and reef sharks. Best for experienced divers.
Depth Range: Deep
Experience Level: Advanced
The Drop-Off at the Blue Lagoon
Pristine location with deepwater marine life like sharks, large schools of fish, and rays.
Depth Range: Deep
Experience Level: Intermediate
Cave of the Sharks (La Grotte des Requins)
Deep, dark caves with various shark species. Recommended for experienced divers due to depth and strong currents.
Depth Range: Deep
Experience Level: Advanced
Vaia'au Reef
Shallow reef with abundant coral formations and a variety of marine life, perfect for underwater photography and snorkeling.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Beginner
Faaroa River
A unique freshwater dive site, mixing saltwater and freshwater, creating an interesting environment for fish species.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Intermediate
Tomb of the Sea Gods (La Tombe des Dieux)
Beautiful coral gardens and underwater rock formations, with large schools of tropical fish and rays.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: Intermediate
The Green Lagoon
Rich biodiversity and clear waters, ideal for both novice and experienced divers.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Hiti Moana
Coral gardens and marine life, with clear waters and vibrant underwater landscapes.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Beginner
The Caves of Tahiti
Submerged caves with moray eels, crabs, and reef fish. Best suited for experienced divers.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: Advanced
Te Ava Mo’a
Steep underwater slopes, attracting larger pelagic fish like barracudas and jacks, and occasional sharks.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: Advanced
Maraa Caves
Dark, mysterious caves with moray eels, parrotfish, and vibrant coral species. Ideal for adventurous divers.
Depth Range: Moderate
Experience Level: Intermediate
Pointe de l’Opunohu
Coral reef with schools of tropical fish and rays. Ideal for beginner divers and snorkelers.
Depth Range: Shallow
Experience Level: Beginner