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.

Dive Shops in Tahiti Dive Operators

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