Country

Diving in French Polynesia

10 dive destinations in French Polynesia, up to 1,560 km apart. Water temperature across them runs 26–31 °C. All 10 are in season in Sep–Oct. 28 named dive sites have their own pages.

Bora Bora · photo The original uploader was Dlloyd at English Wikipedia.

Destinations: 10
Dive sites: 28
Water: 26–31°C
Most in season: Sep–Oct

RegionPacific Islands

Where are the dive destinations in French Polynesia?

1Nuku HivaJan–Feb
2RangiroaDec–Apr
3TikehauApr–Oct
4FakaravaJun–Jul
5MaupitiJun–Oct
6Bora BoraMay–Oct
7HuahineAug–Oct
8Raiatea & Taha'aSep–Nov
9MooreaAug–Oct
10Tahiti & Teahupo'oAug–Oct

Numbers match the table below. Land outline: Natural Earth (public domain).

How do they compare?

Conditions at each dive destination in French Polynesia
#	Destination	Best months	Water	Visibility	Depth	Level	Access	Sites
1	Nuku HivaScalloped hammerheads off the islet guarding Taiohae Bay	Jan–Feb	27–28°C	—	9–40 m	Intermediate	Day boat	1
2	RangiroaDolphins ride the tidal current alongside sharks in Tiputa Pass.	Dec–Apr	26–29°C	20–40 m	5–35 m	Advanced	Day boat	1
3	TikehauA pass so packed with fish Cousteau's team singled it out	Apr–Oct	26–29°C	25–45 m	5–40 m	Intermediatesites from intermediate to advanced	Day boat	3
4	FakaravaHundreds of grey reef sharks pack South Pass during the June grouper spawn.	Jun–Jul	26–29°C	25–40 m	15–35 m	Advancedsites from intermediate to advanced	Day boat, Liveaboard	2
5	MaupitiManta rays at a lagoon cleaning station every morning, all year	Jun–Oct	27–29°C	—	to 10 m	Beginner	Day boat	1
6	Bora BoraLemon and blacktip sharks on the drop-off outside the pass at Tapu.	May–Oct	26–31°C	—	15–29 m	Intermediatesites from intermediate to advanced	Day boat	5
7	HuahineGrey reef sharks breed in the Avapehi Pass	Aug–Oct	26–31°C	—	6–30 m	Intermediatesites from intermediate to advanced	Day boat	5
8	Raiatea & Taha'aDrifts through reef passes with sharks, and an intact wreck in the lagoon	Sep–Nov	26–31°C	—	10–29 m	Intermediatesites from beginner to advanced	Day boat	5
9	MooreaSicklefin lemon sharks patrol the outer reef passes year-round.	Aug–Oct	26–29°C	15–30 m	5–30 m	Intermediatesites from beginner to intermediate	Day boat, Shore	3
10	Tahiti & Teahupo'oGrey, lemon and blacktip reef sharks at La Vallée Blanche	Aug–Oct	26–29°C	—	5–29 m	Beginner	Day boat	2

When is the best time to dive French Polynesia?

The most destinations are rated good or prime at the same time in Sep–Oct: 10 of 10. Each row is one destination's own season rating.

Season rating by month for each dive destination in French Polynesia
Destination	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
1Nuku Hiva	Prime	Prime	Good	Good	Good	Good	Fair	Fair	Good	Good	Good	Good
2Rangiroa	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Prime
3Tikehau	Good	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Good
4Fakarava	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good
5Maupiti	Fair	Fair	Good	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Good
6Bora Bora	Fair	Fair	Fair	Fair	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Fair	Fair
7Huahine	Fair	Fair	Fair	Fair	Fair	Fair	Good	Prime	Prime	Prime	Fair	Fair
8Raiatea & Taha'a	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good
9Moorea	Fair	Fair	Fair	Good	Good	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Fair
10Tahiti & Teahupo'o	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Good
Good or prime	6	6	7	8	9	9	9	9	10	10	8	7

Which destinations combine into one trip?

Destinations that fit within 200 km of each other end to end and share at least one month rated good or prime. Distances are straight lines between destinations, not travel routes.

134 km end to end

In season together: Jul–Oct