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TAHITI - DIVING SPOTS
 The most heavily populated island in Polynesia and, 15 kms away towards its little sister, are the first stop for divers from around the world looking for that special thrill.
Tahiti is the ideal place for the initial acclimatisation process, for a quick brushing-up on existing skills or the acquisition of new ones. The lagoon waters are very calm, and all the dive clubs are very accessible, as are a number of specialist underwater sports shops and one-hour film processing facilities).
Moorea is the next logical step in this first foray into polynesian waters. Make sure you experience: « le feeding ».
TAHITI DIVING SPOTS
1 - THE AQUARIUM.
A lagoon dive within a protected area where close contact
can be made quite easily with innumerable animal species. The flora is no less impressive.
Very shallow and extremely clear, its spectacle provides an excellent opportunity to
re-acquiant oneself with the underwater world.
2 - SHIPWRECKS.
Just a few flipper beats away from the aquarium, a trench
in the lagoon hides two wrecks only a few metres apart: a seaplane and a schooner. To see
these darker froms outlined against the blue background is a moving experience. While the
first wreck can be inspected without any danger, there is a formal warning against
visiting the interior of the second one. Let time and nature take its course.
3 - THE SAINT ETIENNE DROPS.
This is probably one of Tahiti’s richest diving
spot. The barrier reef protecting the lagoon drops down towards the depth of the ocean.
But before it completely disappears, it offers the dizzying spectacle of gigantic vertical
walls which can provide a good training ground for deep divers. The traditional
dog-toothed tuna, carangues, and nasons will be your companions.
4 - THE SOURCE.
A fresh water source squirts out from the top of a coral
outcrop about ten metres tal. One of the numerous cavities in the outcrop is home to a
lagoon shark by day and a Napoleon fish by night. This will provide your first successful
encounter with the sharks which populate polynesian waters but are not in the least bit
agressive.
5 - THE ARUE FAULTS.
One of the notable diving spots on the island of Tahiti.
Three dives, accessible to divers of all abilities; a spot particulary suited to
beginners. On the outer side of the reef, a coral plateau 5 meters under the surface
overlooks an impressive and dizzying drop. One hundred meters apart, two narrow and
mysterious faultlines, 20 meters long and extending to a depth of approximately 30 meters,
make two notches in this plateau and reveal a very abundant coloured fauna or tropical
fish, multicoloured coral polyps, anemones, crabs... An ideal spot for night dives. Lower
down, the fish feed regularly and you will find black and blue carangues, some becs de
canne, very tame Napoleon-fish and clouds of other, equally greedy ones. Also to be
frequently cruising area the tuna, attracted by the continual agitation and sometimes you
will find a turtle resting at the bottom of a hole.
6 - THE MATAVAI ROSES.
A deep and majestic dive reserved for experiences divers.
At a depth of 15 to 35 meters, huge coral roses blossom in the deep blue of Matavai Bay,
made famous by the epic of the Bounty. The water is typically very clear.
7 - THE ARUE GORGONIAS.
A deep dive along the Tahiti Yacht club drop. Attached to
the vertical and sometimes overhanging wall of the outer reef, numerous orange gorgonias
share the space with equally numerous species of black coral. Specially adapted lighting
is required to appreciate the beauty and colours of this spot, home to a multitude of
small fish. A little further along and shallower (30m) the cave of Arue has been dug
naturally into the drop, deep enough to allow the passage of a group of five divers
abreast. This cavern has two exit points, allowing visits guided by an instructor who,
armed with a powerful searchlight, illuminates the walls decorated with schools of
rockfish as well as crayfish.
8 - THE « DOLPHIN » BENCH.
Close to Venus point, this spot is named after Samuel
Walli’s boat which dropped anchor here, over two centuries ago. For divers at all
levels of ability, this spot features a nice little fishy drop, interrupted at regular
intervals by small narrow faults much appreciated by divers, who gladly dive down in
search of a fixed, varied fauna.
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TAHITI DIVING CLUBS
TAHITI AQUATIC.
2 dive centers.
1 instructor CMAS***, PADI, NAUI: Dick Johnson.
1 instructor BEES1, CMAS**, PADI: Noël Markusen.
1 instructor BEES1, MF1, CMAS**, PADI.
Languages spoken: French, English, Spanish, Italian.
17 sets ( US DIVERS, SPIRO, SCUBAPRO) of diving gear - 5 boats (6, 12, and 20 divers).
Introductory diving course. Exploratory dives. Issuers of FFESSM, PADI( OWSI) diplomas.
TAHITI PLONGEE.
1 national instructor BEES2, MF2, CMAS***, PADI: Henri
Pouliquen.
3 regional instructors BEES1, MF2, CMAS***: Michel Felipe, Fabrice Pouliquen, Alain
Vattaut.
2 instructors BEES1, MF2, CMAS***, PADI.
8 instructors BEES1, MF1, CMAS**, PADI.
Languages spoken: French, English, Spanish.
150 sets of diving gear, principally SCUBAPRO and SPIRO - 5 boats ( 8 and 30 divers).
Introductory diving course. Exploratory dives. Issuers of FFESSM diplomas. Preparation for
the national diving certificate. Preparation for professional certificate. A full range of
diving equipment can be purchased from the shop adjoining the club. One day excursions
available to Moorea ( 2 dives, Motu walks, picnic, tour of the island).
YACHT CLUB OF TAHITI.
1 national instructor BEES1, MF2, CMAS***, PADI(OWSI):
Pascal Lecointre.
1 regional instructor BEES1, MF2, CMAS***, PADI: Arnaud Demier.
1 instructor BEES1, MF2, CMAS***: Loïc Dabbouci.
1 instructor BEES1, MF1, CMAS**: Ludovic Berne.
Languages spoken: French, English, Spanish, Portugese.
20 sets of SCUBAPRO and SPIRO diving gear - 1 boat (25 divers).
Introductory diving course. Exploratory dives. Issuers of FFESSM, CMAS, PADI diplomas.
Preparation for national certificate and preparation for professional certification.
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