French Polynesia is one of the paradise destinations that each of us dreams of: turquoise water, beaches with white, fine sand, along which coconut trees grow, swayed by the wind … who is diving or looking for the best place to do it for the first time. This island nation is located in the Southern Hemisphere, in the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Australia and South America. Famous artists such as French painters Paul Gauguin and Henri Matisse traveled here (Polynesia is still a country under French rule to this day). In the following article, we will mainly focus on diving sites on Polynesian islands. Interested? We invite you to read,
When to go to Polynesia?
French Polynesia is a country consisting of as many as 118 islands scattered over an area of ​​over 2,000 kilometers of the Pacific Ocean, so the weather differs slightly depending on the island. Generally, however, there is a tropical climate here. The weather is shaped by 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 on a trip to Polynesia, we recommend this period. The water on the coasts is warm all year round. It is also worth knowing that cyclones occur in hot and humid periods, 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 diving destinations in the world, and a trip to Polynesia is a great opportunity to snorkel or scuba dive. The islands are not tightly crowded, they have free access to the open ocean, so you have a chance to see the amazing wealth of the underwater world here. The waters are exceptionally clear, with good visibility, warm all year round. Fans of snorkeling or less advanced snorkel divers will surely be tempted by the lagoon areas, of which there are many here, and more advanced ones can swim beyond the barrier of the coral reef.
Tahiti
You probably won’t miss this largest Polynesian island – it is here, in the capital of the country, Papeete, that the international airport is located. It is true that you will not see such a wealth of underwater creatures under water as around other islands (although there are a lot of them here anyway!), But it does not mean that diving here is not worth it: in Tahiti you will find some great places, such as the so-called an aquarium, located inside the lagoon, with two wrecks of sailing ships and a plane, and a coral reef. Another wreckage lies elsewhere: a cargo ship and a Catalina plane from World War II. The ship is at a depth of 13 to 25 meters. Another diving spot worth visiting is the underwater cave to the east of Papeete.
Tahiti
Moorea
The coral reef shores of Moorea are full of underwater canyons, fissures, and fissures that then rise into hills. There are no strong currents here, which creates good conditions for beginners, while more advanced ones can try their hand at deeper gaps. When you go beyond the reef, you have a chance to meet a kind of large shark – a yellow shark, up to 3.5 meters long, an endangered species (it is rather harmless to humans, therefore many divers are looking for places where they can meet it), as well as whales, including humpback whales that migrate to this area from August to October.
Moorea
Huahine
If you are looking for a less touristic island, without crowds both on the surface and under the water, take a look at this island. What’s more, thanks to its relatively low popularity, the underwater world here is still unchanged, wild and pristine. For this reason, you can see many species of underwater creatures here. Among the more interesting species, it is worth mentioning the black fin shark, reaching about 1.5 meters of shark, which usually keeps a safe distance from people.
Huahine
Bora Bora
Bora Bora, perhaps the most popular Polynesian island after Tahiti, is surrounded by atolls (coral islets) forming lagoons – i.e. bodies of water cut off from the sea. The lagoon on Bora Bora, surrounded by a coral reef, is considered one of the prettiest in the world, especially famous among divers, and it is worth including this island on your list of a tailor-made trip to Polynesia. Lagoon diving is perfect for beginners, and the more advanced go beyond the reef as well. 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 yellow shark and the great shark (also rarely aggressive towards humans). If anyone is interested in humpback whales, from August to October they sail around the Tupai – heart-shaped islets, located north of Bora Bora (several diving centers on Bora Bora organize boat trips there). North of the island there is also a famous diving spot – Tupitipiti. The corals have formed an underwater grotto here.
Bora Bora
Fakarava
This atoll, which is part of the Tuamotu archipelago, is included in the UNESCO biosphere reserve, which speaks for itself. The two main dive spots are Garuae in the north and Tumakohua in the south. You have a chance to see, among others, gray reef sharks, barracuda, parrot fish, turtles and manta rays.
Fakarava
Rangiroa
It is the second largest atoll in the world, also part of the Tuamotu archipelago. The water here is exceptionally clear, even compared to the other islands of French Polynesia. We recommend this place to more experienced divers due to the strong currents. There are an exceptionally large number of sharks, and from December to March, at the Tiputa diving spot, you have a good chance to see hammerhead sharks.
Rangiroa
Tikehau
Another atoll that is part of the Tuamotu archipelago, the western neighbor of the Rangiroa island described above. Jacques Cousteau, a well-known seaman and oceanographer as well as a film director, once mentioned that this islet is home to the most fish and their species in the entire Tuamotu archipelago. Maybe you will see for yourself?
Tikehau
The underwater life of French Polynesia
The waters surrounding the islands of French Polynesia hide an extraordinary, colorful variety of species. The coral reefs here are yellow, purple, fluorescent green and turquoise. About 950 species of fish have been counted here! Among them you will see not only classics, i.e. spotted amphiprions (in other words, Nemo fish), neon parrotfish in all colors of the rainbow, grouper up to 2.5 meters long, or bright moray eels, but also manta rays (sea devils), fish with wings, the volume of which can exceed 4 meters, or other species of manta rays, with spotted backs. There are two species of sea turtles in the local waters: green turtles, which are up to 1.5 meters long and 230 kilograms in weight, and slightly smaller tortoises, up to 90 centimeters long. Real underwater celebrities prompting a trip to Polynesia (at least some of them) are sharks, which live here a lot: gray reef sharks, coarse sharks, black tip sharks, yellow sharks, sharks, silky sharks, and for lucky ones there are less tiger and hammerhead sharks. Behind the reef line, you will surely come across shoals of bonito fish, various species of tuna, Spanish mackerel and korifen. What’s more, as many as 20 species of marine mammals have been observed here, including humpback whales, arriving in July-August and staying until October, or the well-known bottlenose dolphins. We usually watch the latter when they do tricks in dolphins – here you can see them in their natural habitat. Mustache sharks, silky sharks, and for the lucky ones, less common tiger and hammerhead sharks. Behind the reef line, you will surely come across shoals of bonito fish, various species of tuna, Spanish mackerel and korifen. What’s more, as many as 20 species of marine mammals have been observed here, including humpback whales, arriving in July-August and staying until October, or the well-known bottlenose dolphins. We usually watch the latter when they do tricks in dolphins – here you can see them in their natural habitat. Mustache sharks, silky sharks, and for the lucky ones, less common tiger and hammerhead sharks. Behind the reef line, you will surely come across shoals of bonito fish, various species of tuna, Spanish mackerel and korifen. What’s more, as many as 20 species of marine mammals have been observed here, including humpback whales, arriving in July-August and staying until October, or the well-known bottlenose dolphins. We usually watch the latter when they do tricks in dolphins – here you can see them in their natural habitat. Those arriving in July-August and staying until October, or the well-known bottlenose dolphins. We usually watch the latter when they do tricks in dolphins – here you can see them in their natural habitat. Those arriving in July-August and staying until October, or the well-known bottlenose dolphins. We usually watch the latter when they do tricks in dolphins – here you can see them in their natural habitat.
Manta
The best hotels in French Polynesia
After diving during a holiday in French Polynesia, it’s best to rest and relax in one of the local luxury hotels. If you decide to take a trip to Polynesia, our specialists will surely 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 for centuries been a synonym of paradise on earth, crystal clear waters and white beaches. Bora Bora and other islands are utopian Eden, where you can admire unreal beautiful sunsets over the Pacific. You can see the wonders of nature at every step here, as you will find out right after your arrival! This is one of the trips that stay with us for the rest of our lives.
Four Seasons – Bora Bora
This five-star hotel from the luxury chain Four Seasons is the perfect complement to your exclusive trip to Polynesia! The hotel is located right on the beach and you can see Mount Otemanu from here. You can live here in a villa with a sea view or in bungalows built by the water, next to a pier where you can go ashore. If you choose a bungalow, you can jump into the ocean from its terrace! Some bungalows even have private pools. Importantly, Four Seasons organizes diving – both scuba and snorkeling, but also a ride on an underwater scooter and a walk on the ocean floor! After diving, you can take advantage of the spa, yoga lessons or fitness classes, tennis court, fishing or hang gliding. Sounds tempting?
Four Seasons Bora Bora
Le Meridien – Bora Bora
In the luxurious Le Meridien, you will not only live in bungalows (by the beach or on the water) or a villa with a private pool, use two infinity pools with a view of the ocean and a spa, eat or drink something in two restaurants and two bars, but also you can every day observe (included in the price of stay) the feeding of sea turtles in the hotel foundation. This is one of only two places of this type in all of Polynesia. In addition to feeding and observing turtles, in the foundation you will see thematic aquariums with sea creatures, you will observe the underwater fauna living in the local lagoon without entering the water, and even touch (under the watchful eye of biologists) of 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 the island of Moorea. It is located right next to a private beach available only to guests. Here you will also live in bungalows with terraces, some of which are built on the water, and even have a glass part of the floor, so you can observe the underwater world from your room! Snorkeling equipment is rented for free, and the hotel also organizes boat trips, including glass-bottomed trips (this is another opportunity to see the richness of sea creatures without going into the water). The beach and pool bars are perfect places to relax with a drink in your hand, and in the menu of two restaurants, even the most demanding gourmet will find something for themselves.
Sofitel Moorea