Diving in French Polynesia: Complete Itinerary Guide by locals
Are you considering diving during your trip to French Polynesia? With its colorful reefs, mythical passes, schools of sharks and playful dolphins, this archipelago is an exceptional destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. Whether you’re a beginner diver, intermediate level or experienced diver, there’s a perfectly adapted itinerary to live an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Pacific.
In this article from My Little Polynesia, our blog dedicated to travel and expatriation in Polynesia, we propose diving itineraries for two weeks and more, according to your diving level. You’ll find here all the advice to organize your diving trip in French Polynesia, from island to island.
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15-Day Travel Itinerary in Polynesia for Divers
Here’s a 15-day diving itinerary in French Polynesia, designed to help you discover the most beautiful underwater sites of the archipelago. This program combines exploration of mythical passes, encounters with exceptional marine life (sharks, dolphins, manta rays…) and moments of relaxation on paradise islands.
Note: to fully enjoy this itinerary in complete safety, it’s recommended to plan at least 20 days on site. This allows respecting the necessary safety delays between last dives and inter-island or international flights.
👉 For a concrete example of a loop combining mountains and atolls over 3 weeks, check out our article 3-Week Itinerary: Tuamotu and Society Islands with all stages and durations per island.
👉 To best organize your trip, it’s useful to know the best time to visit each island. Discover our detailed article on When to Go to Polynesia to choose ideal dates.
| Day | Island | Program |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tahiti | International arrival, check-in and rest |
| Day 2 | Tahiti | Dive on the Catalina wreck + coral reef dive |
| Day 3 | Tahiti | Diving trip (drop-offs, turtles) + visit to the Peninsula |
| Day 4 | Tahiti → Rangiroa | Rest / inter-island flight |
| Day 5 | Rangiroa | Dive – Tiputa Pass (grey reef sharks, dolphins) |
| Day 6 | Rangiroa | Dive – Avatoru (barracudas, tunas, napoleon wrasse) |
| Day 7 | Rangiroa | Drift dive / snorkeling + beach relaxation |
| Day 8 | Rangiroa → Fakarava | Flight / check-in / rest |
| Day 9 | Fakarava (South) | Dive – South Pass (grey sharks, pristine reef) |
| Day 10 | Fakarava (South) | Two dives – shark wall, giant gorgonians |
| Day 11 | Fakarava (North) | Transfer to the North + dive in the North Pass |
| Day 12 | Fakarava | Rest, kayak exploration or snorkeling |
| Day 13 | Fakarava → Moorea | Flight to Moorea + check-in |
| Day 14 | Moorea | Dive – lemon sharks, turtles, coral garden |
| Day 15 | Moorea | Leisure day, island tour or lagoon excursion |
Best Dive Sites According to Your Level
French Polynesia offers dive sites adapted to all diver levels, from complete beginner to confirmed diver. Whether you’re looking for a first dive in a calm lagoon, an intermediate site with moderate current, or technical dives in passes with strong currents, each island has its jewels to share with you. Find our complete article on how to choose your Polynesian islands according to your travel preferences.
👉 To know all the details on how to travel between Polynesian islands (ferries, Air Tahiti and Air Moana flights, travel times, tips to optimize your itinerary), check out our complete guide How to Travel Between Islands.
Here’s an overview of the best dive sites classified by level, to help you compose your itinerary or choose your stops with complete peace of mind.
👉 If you’re wondering what to bring for your trip to Polynesia, check out our complete packing guide for Tahiti and Bora Bora with all the essentials you’ll need.
Beginner Divers Discovering Exceptional Marine Animals
Doing a first dive in Polynesia offers a unique experience thanks to the diversity and richness of its underwater landscapes. The warm waters, exceptional visibility and protected lagoons create ideal conditions for beginners, guaranteeing a safe immersion.
👉 We created a practical itinerary for 3 weeks in Polynesia including first dive and level 1: Trip with Friends to Polynesia, our advice as residents.
Moreover, Polynesia is home to exceptional marine fauna, with tropical fish, turtles and rays, which make the experience even more memorable. Finally, dive centers in Polynesia are renowned for their professionalism and expertise, offering a secure framework adapted to learning diving.
| Island | Dive Site | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tahiti | Punaauia Lagoons | Introductory dive in calm, shallow waters with white sandy bottom — ideal for first underwater sensations. |
| Moorea | Coral Garden | Shallow site featuring colorful corals, tropical fish, and frequent turtle encounters. |
| Bora Bora | Lagoonarium | Gentle dive with stingrays and harmless blacktip reef sharks in a safe, supervised environment. |
| Raiatea | Eastern Coast Motus | Protected lagoon area, perfect for guided introductory dives and first immersions. |
| Huahine | Avamoa Pass (outer lagoon) | Easy access to rich reef life, calm waters with no current, usually in small groups. |
Intermediate Divers: Ideal for Diving Almost Anywhere in Polynesia
In the following table, we present dives specially adapted to level 1 divers, allowing safe immersion to 20 meters depth while discovering Polynesia’s underwater wonders.
👉 You can check out our article on the Marquesas, why this archipelago is a must-include during your trip to Polynesia.
Planning a shared catamaran cruise in Polynesia? Find out how much it costs, when to go, how far in advance to book, and whether you need sailing experience. All your questions answered!
| Island | Dive Site | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Moorea | Tiki Point | Gentle slope dive featuring blacktip and lemon sharks, turtles, and napoleon wrasse. |
| Tahiti | Aquarium / Toa Rock | Small drop-offs with colorful corals and varied marine life — ideal for buoyancy practice and progression. |
| Bora Bora | Anau (Manta Ray Site) | Shallow dive to encounter graceful manta rays, often seen in the morning. |
| Raiatea | Northern Reef – Gentle Walls | Dives between 10 and 20 m featuring coral walls and schools of tropical fish. |
| Fakarava (North) | North Pass (outer lagoon) | Dive accessible depending on current – excellent visibility and abundant marine life. |
Advanced and Experienced Divers, in Tuamotu Passes (Drift Dives)
Polynesia is ideal for experienced divers, offering a diversity of sites with deep dives and fascinating currents. You can explore passes, coral walls and observe exceptional marine fauna.
The following table presents sites adapted to experienced divers, for unforgettable dives in search of thrills and biodiversity.
For a concrete example of a loop combining mountains and atolls over 3 weeks, check out our article 3-Week Itinerary: Tuamotu and Society Islands with all the stages and durations per island.
| Island | Dive Site | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rangiroa | Tiputa Pass | Iconic drift dive with strong currents. Grey reef sharks, dolphins, barracudas, and outstanding visibility. |
| Rangiroa | Avatoru Pass | Less frequented than Tiputa, teeming with life: silvertip sharks, napoleon wrasse, and pelagic species. |
| Fakarava (South) | Tumakohua Pass | World-renowned for its “Wall of Sharks” — hundreds of grey reef sharks patrol the pass. Vibrant coral gardens and schools of barracuda make it one of the top dives in French Polynesia. |
👉 If you want a different travel experience closer to local life, the Aranui cargo cruise is an excellent option to discover remote islands authentically.
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