Diving Travel Tips in Tahiti & her islands

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1 Diving Travel Tips in Tahiti & her islands Know before you go WHEN is the best diving? Diving is available, fun & consistent all year round in Tahiti & her islands! The water is warm (26 C = 79 F to 29 C = 84 F) and thanks to the amazing visibility (from 30m to 50m, ie 70ft up to 150ft), diving is beautiful everyday of the year, from January to December. WHERE is the best diving? There are lots of incredible diving spots all around Tahiti & her islands. On all diving islands, divers may choose among 3 different areas of exploration: the lagoon, the oceanic drop off, the passes. High quality diving centers are found on more than 12 islands today, on 4 archipelagos. One «live aboard» is cruising the Tuamotu islands. WHAT can be expected? A great number of large species can be observed all year long around most of the islands : turtles, sting rays, eagle rays, jack fish, barracudas, eels, Napoleon wrasses, dolphins, tunas, schools of snappers, numerous species of shells & nudibranches etc Among them: Sharks!! Because sharks are not as aggressive in Tahiti & her islands as in other parts of the world, divers may enjoy getting close to a large number of species (lemon, gray, reef, black-white-silver tip, hammerheads sharks can easily be observed!). On a seasonal basis, some species can be encountered: Hammerhead sharks: from November to April in the Tuamotu, from June to November in the Marquesas (in shallow waters, pretty unusual) Manta rays: from June to November (depending on the islands) Humpback whales: from July to October (in the Australes & Society archipelagos) Grouper mating season: from May to June in the Tuamotu Are also available: amazing wreck diving, caves, coral tunnels for the Note for the Environment: Coral & sea shells are living animals, please help Tahiti & her islands protect their pleasure of all

2 Island per Island Specials SOCIETY ISLANDS Tahiti => great start: ideal location to become used to new gear and build confidence prior to travelling to the islands. Meet turtles, giant wrasses & sharks, look for gorgons & black coral Enjoy wreck diving & unusual encounters right outside Papeete BEST DIVE SITES: the Aquarium the wrecks Papa Whisky St Etienne Drop Off the Gorgonias Moorea => the sharks: Tahiti's sister island is particularly famous for its clear warm waters, rich of an abundant tropical marine life, including turtles, eagle rays and an impressive concentration of sharks species (lemon, blacktip, silvertip, gray sharks, etc ). BEST DIVE SITES: Tiki - the Coral Wall - Opunohu s Canyons - the Roses Garden Bora Bora => the Mantas: Dive one of the most beautiful lagoons of the world Experience an unforgettable Manta Ray "ballet" in the lagoon, dance with a wide variety of sharks, turtles & schools of barracudas outside the unique pass BEST DIVE SITES : TAPU Tupitipiti Anau Muri Muri TUAMOTU ISLANDS Rangiroa => famous large agitated passes of Avatoru & Tiputa: As one of the world s largest atolls, Rangiroa offers exceptional drift diving with amazing successive big encounters such as manta & eagle rays, hammerhead sharks, reef sharks, turtles & dolphins, jackfish & various ocean fish schools. Manihi => for its incredibly clear & shallow water: The atoll, already famous for its original black pearl farms, indeed takes advantage of its amazingly clear lagoon & consequently offers nice intimate or exciting areas accessible to experienced divers & beginners alike. Tikehau => for the impressive drift diving & fish population: The atoll, famous for its huge fish population, is a paradise to the natives, with its wild character and friendly atmosphere. It is also becoming one of the premier diving destinations, thanks to its big highlights such as dolphins, gray sharks, hammerheads, eagle & manta rays, turtles, schools of barracudas... BEST DIVE SITES: The wind mill the blue Tiputa pass the angle the wrasse plateau the aquarium BEST DIVE SITES: The Circus the crack the drop off the West cape the crossing BEST DIVE SITES: The shark hole Tuheiva Pass Mamaa the Canyons

3 Fakarava => as UNESCO biosphere reserve: second biggest atoll in Polynesia, Fakarava shelters a reserve, protecting a rich & rare natural ecosystem including the hunting kingfisher, the Tuamotu palm and in the lagoons: crustaceans such as squills or sea cicadas (mantis-shrimps). Impressive passes lure also large pelagics and huge concentrations of reef species... BEST DIVE SITES: The Northern Garuae Pass the southern Tetamanu Pass More for experts Marquesas Islands: In the wild northern archipelago, in Nuku Hiva & Hiva Oa, is a possibility for magical encounters: a REAL treat for adventurous, experienced divers: as there is no barrier reef, diving is rough and requires good general skills. Follow rocky volcanic walls, visit numerous caves, enjoy large manta ray ballets in the open ocean, meet lewini hammerheads, barracudas, pigmy orcas, tuna but also lobsters & rare shells. Note: On Nuku Hiva, private diving only. Possibility to rent diving equipment. Direct booking. Contact: Xavier Curvat (Tel: Marquisesdives@mail.pf.) No diving center on Hiva Oa. BEST DIVE SITES: The hammer head guard rock The Pigmy orcas Ekamako Cave BEST DIVE SITES: The Nordby - The Octopus Hole Ceran Pass Miri Miri Pass Raiatea & its wreck, Taha a: A 100 years old ship wreck, the "Nordby" has made the legend of Raiatea, together with many caves and deep dives : you can count on some truly amazing diving, with big and tiny encounters such as various reef sharks or numerous nudibranches What are the diving FACILITIES? Most of them are based on site at international hotels and speak French & English, some may also speak Italian, Spanish, German & Japanese. They offer a great variety of diving spots, service & reliable equipment and they generally propose 2 to 4 dives a day, according to their facilities. PRICE & EQUIPMENT In French Polynesia, the diving price generally includes: o the guide (according to French regulations, all dives are Dive Master led & secured), o the boat transfer to the dive site o as well as the equipment (tank, weight, weight belt, BCD, regulators with gauges, mask, snorkel, fins). Dive computers are usually available to rent. Regarding the suits, light wetsuits or skin suits are sufficient for thermo protection, they may be provided by the dive operators upon request.

4 AIRLINE Air Tahiti, the domestic airline company, authorizes an exceptional baggage allowance of 25 kg for DIVING passengers flying on Air Tahiti within 07 days after international arrival. In order to beneficiate from these special conditions, Divers must present, upon check-in at Air Tahiti counter: - their International Diving Card - their international flights tickets What is the diving LEVEL? Most of the dives in Tahiti & her islands are classified Open Water / Advanced Open Water (PADI) or Level I, II (CMAS). Note that it all happens within 5 to 25 m (30 80 ft) below the surface, for the enjoyment of everyone! However, extreme diving is available (caves, coral tunnel, intense drift diving) for the more qualified divers. Is diving SAFE in Tahiti & her islands? Tahiti & her islands is a very SAFE diving destination. Our warm waters, the great visibility, the low current, together with the high quality guiding service, offer easy & comfortable diving conditions. Moreover, Tahiti has a multi person decompression chamber available at the hospital (ruled & certified with French standards), and for all emergencies a security network has been set, in conjunction with Air Tahiti & local Helicopter companies. PERSONAL SECURITY Each diver should know & control his personal limits. However, as a general rule, please note that no diving is allowed within the 12 to 24 hours prior to a domestic or international flight. What are the REQUIREMENTS? Divers must bring their diving logbook & diving card (or a copy of their qualification: CMAS Level I or PADI Open Water Diver at least) to enjoy an exploration dive. In all other cases, an initiation dive (within 5 m below the surface) shall be suggested. A valid medical certificate is always good & helpful. Regarding specific diving INSURANCE: Please check with DAN (Divers Alert Network) or specific travel insurance companies to ensure full coverage before diving. Is it better to PRE-BOOK the diving? We shall always recommend to prebook at least part of the diving to ensure availability, especially in the remote islands where diving facilities may be limited. What sort of diving?

5 Island / Dive Resort: - Initiation dive: for curious beginners - Single Tank dive: for occasional certified divers - Two Tank dive: 2 successive morning or afternoon dives, for prepared, active divers. - Dive Pass: 5 or 10 dive personal card for active, island hopping divers. Live aboard: - Sailing cruise: for curious travellers willing to approach the islands & passes differently (2 dives a day, land explorations). What about NITROX? Nitrox diving (special enriched air fill with more than the usual 21% Oxygen : EAN I = 32% Oxygen, EAN II = 36% Oxygen ; 35m 110/120ft maximum depth) is available on certain islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora & Rangiroa). Nitrox divers must show a proof of certification & are required to dive on computer. Nitrox certifications may be available upon request in all above islands. What about local CERTIFICATION lessons? If the divers have at least one week, they can enrol in a complete resort certification course or training during their vacation. If they are already CMAS (World Underwater Federation), FFESSM (French Underwater Federation), PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), NAUI or SSI member, their certification is recognized. Any dive course or training shall be organized and paid on spot at the dive center. What about KIDS? Kids are allowed to dive from 8 years old (diving initiation). Exploration dives & certification course are open to 10 (PADI) or 12 year old kids (CMAS). Most of the dive centers provide specific equipment for kids (small tanks of 6 litres instead of 12, special small BCDs, adapted regulators, etc ). Parents do not have to dive with their kids, as they will be taken care of by the dive master (1 for 2 kids first, then 1 for 4 when experienced young divers), but from 8 to 18 years old, a parental authorisation remains compulsory. All arrangements & agreements shall be made on spot between the parents and the dive centers.