Updated September 24, 2022
This is the twenty-sixth in a series that introduces and describes the various dive services and sites for worldwide liveaboard dive safaris. The focus in this one is on French Polynesia liveaboards.
In addition to this series on liveaboards, the best worldwide dive resort locations and services are reviewed in their own series. To check them out, or other liveaboards, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title.
Have you ever been diving in French Polynesia before? If so, I’d love to know about your experience. What dive shop or liveaboard did you use? Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.? Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.
Best Diving French Polynesia Liveaboards
Tahiti and French Polynesia first came into my awareness in detail with the reading of Somerset Maugham’s The Moon and Sixpence, the fictionalized account of the life of Paul Gauguin, the impressionist artist, who made his escape from the humdrum to be truly inspired by the colors and beauty of Pacific island life. It struck me then, as now, as perhaps the most remote location in the world. In fact, the location about halfway between South America and Australia makes it that. Today its 118 islands spread over 1,200 miles (2,000 km) have a population of 276,000 who are located in a few cities and small villages, with 67 islands uninhabited.
There are less than a couple dozen local dive shops and only four liveaboards servicing the area. The lack of traffic and low population has left the undersea world in great condition, with pristine reefs, great biodiversity, and a fantastic array of big fish and mammals. Major attractions include grey, whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, tiger and silky sharks, manta, eagle and stingrays, tuna, barracuda, big-eye jacks, dolphins, humpback whales, and green and hawksbill turtles. Macro life is great and there are several outstanding wrecks like Les Trois Epaves off of Tahiti. Take a look at the videos to get a concrete demonstration of the richness of wildlife.
There is a full range of undersea terrain: shallow coral gardens, steep walls, caverns and swim-throughs, channels, and wrecks. In addition, there can be significant drift. For this reason, diving is suitable for experienced divers.
In addition, French Polynesia enforces regulations regarding diving depth, which operators follow. The maximum depth for Open Water Divers is 18m (60ft). For Advanced Open Water and Rescue Divers, the limit is 29m (97ft). If you are a Master Scuba Diver, or the equivalent, 40m (130ft) is acceptable. The two liveaboards offer the Advanced Open Water course and some others, on request.
Diving is possible year-round and cyclones and typhoons don’t pose a threat. There is a wet season from November through April. Plankton is more prevalent during this time, which does attract feeders. November is the best time for whale sightings. The peak season for diving is when it is dry from May through October.
It is warm all the time with a narrow range in water temperature from 26-28°C (79-82.5°F) and visibility is great.
French Polynesia Liveaboard Dive Boats
Until recently there were only two liveaboard dive boats offering safaris in French Polynesia.
The French Polynesia Master is more of a classic, mid-size liveaboard yacht. It has a large range, traveling to three relatively distant islands and covering many sites along the way. The facilities are extensive, modern, and roomy at a luxury level, with quality French cuisine.
The Aqua Tiki II is a fantastic catamaran catering to small groups. There is an economy of space and less range than the FPM, focusing on dive sites around Fakarava. They do offer more personalized service and potential camaraderie and the excitement of cruising on such a craft.
- 8-11 day cruises between Papeete, Rangiroa, and Fakarava
- Laundry service, daily housekeeping, TV in cabins, en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioned saloon, aircon cabins, warm water showers, indoor saloon
- Single cabin available
- Leisure deck, sun deck
- Audio & video entertainment, library
- Photography station, separate rinse for u/w camera, camera room with table and charging point
- Charging stations
- Western, local, and vegetarian cuisine, outdoor dining
- English speaking crew
- Shaded diving deck
- Non-diver (snorkeler) friendly
- Advanced Open Water Diver course offered
- Nitrox and rental equipment are available
- 3 tenders for diving
- Emergency rafts
- 5-18 day cruises originating and ending in Fakarava
- Aircon cabins, indoor saloon, warm water showers
- Audio & video entertainment, library
- Local food, outdoor dining
- Camera room with table and charging point
- Charging stations
- Paid Internet
- The crew speaks English and French
- Onboard kayaks
- Non-diver (snorkeler) friendly
- Advanced Open Water Diver course offered
- Nitrox and equipment available
- Tenders for diving
Two New French Polynesia Liveaboard Vessels
Since the Covid crisis, two new premium liveaboard yachts have been added to the French Polynesia fleet:
The Aqua Tiki III is similar in personalized style to its sister, the Aqua Tiki II, but is slightly larger,
The Panorama II is a large yacht outfitted for cruising. No scuba diving is offered, however, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding are available.
- 8-15 day cruises originating and ending in Fakarava
- Aircon cabins, indoor saloon, warm water showers
- Audio & video entertainment, library
- Local food, outdoor dining
- Camera room with table and charging point
- Charging stations
- Paid Internet
- The crew speaks English and French
- Onboard kayaks and water skis
- Non-diver (snorkeler) friendly
- Advanced Open Water Diver course offered
- Nitrox and equipment available
- Tenders for diving
Panorama II (Cruising Only – No Diving)
- 8-11 day cruises originating and ending in Papeete
- Aircon cabins, indoor saloon, warm water showers, laundry service
- Air-conditioned saloon, sun deck, leisure deck
- Family and Seaview cabins, non-smoking rooms available, en-suite bathrooms
- Audio & video entertainment, library
- Variety of dining options
- Nearly 1:1 staff to guest ration
- Paid Internet
- The international crew speaks English
- Snorkeling, fishing, onboard kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards are available
French Polynesia Liveaboard Dive Boat Comparison Table
| Aqua Tiki III | Panorama II | French Polynesia Master | Aqua Tiki II | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
|
| Length | 20 m | 50 m | 42.6 m | 18 m |
| Guests | 10 | 49 | 25 | 9 |
| Equipment | Price to be arranged | No diving - cruising only | Price to be arranged | Price to be arranged |
| Nitrox | Free | No | $100/7 days $150/10 days | Price to be arranged |
| Snorkeling | Yes | Yes, also kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and fishing | Yes | Yes |
| Dive Courses On Board | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Price/Day | $449 | $284 | $555 | $372 |
Hotels and Dive Shops
If you would like to consider going to French Polynesia and operating from shore, there are many dozens of lodging options starting at $22 per night and around 30 dive shops in operation on 8-9 of the islands, some of which are associated with lodging. They offer a full range of services that include equipment rental, diving certification classes, dive guides, and boat tours.
The website linked below has the details for the lodging and can arrange a booking. You can easily find the location on the map provided on their site. The rates are guaranteed to be the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.
French Polynesia Photos
With the macro life, beautiful, diverse coral reef, megafauna, and lots of fish, there are many excellent photo opportunities. For information and reviews of diving cameras, click here:
Scuba Diving Trip Insurance
A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation. I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and provide scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.
Feedback and Comments
I hope you found this post on French Polynesia scuba diving interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section. I’d love to know of any experience you have diving there. If there is no comments section directly below, click here: >>comments<<
My partner and I have been tossing about the idea of including a dive cruise on our next holiday and the French Polynesia Master looks like our sort of ship. While he dives I am the one left snorkelling across the top so it was refreshing to see that us non-divers are also catered for.
He has been keen to get up close to manta rays so maybe this is the opportunity.
We are not party people as such and I just wondered how many people are catered for on any one trip? We are after a relaxed time onboard, obviously happy to mingle with others but not really looking for lots of late night party’s or lots of noise. Your thoughts appreciated.
Hi Heidi,
Thanks for your comments and question.
This liveaboard is indeed a good opportunity to see mantas. You, as a snorkeler, also have a good chance of swimming with dolphins, whales, turtles, blacktip reef sharks and lots of fish.
The French Polynesia Master carries up to 25 guests. That is a fair number, but it is a 42.6 meter vessel. It is pretty roomy as yachts go. People on such trips are usually pretty conscious of people and their space. Frankly, this one is pretty expensive and a long trip to get to. People going are more likely to be on the mature end of the spectrum. In any case, you can make your concerns and priorities known to the captain and he will do his best to give you the kind of environment you would like.
If you have any further questions, please get in touch. I also invite you to look at some of the other liveaboards I review. There are boats catering to smaller groups and in similarly exciting diving environments that you might consider.
Best regards,
Joe
I’m not going to lie, I have never dived a day in my life other than in a few swimming pools. This and parachuting are on my bucket list.
These dive sites look absolutely beautiful and a dream vacation. I honestly don’t know if I would ever be able to take a vacation like this.
I just wanted to say that with your words and pictures and videos you brought this adventure to real life for me. Thank you for doing that. Its a testament to the website.
Hi Dale,
Thanks a lot for your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed my post.
It would be great if you could learn to dive and have a chance to see the undersea world in a place like French Polynesia.The basic open water diver class takes about 4 days and includes some study, 5 shallow water classes to learn the skills and 4 open water dives to practice the skills and have a supervised introduction to the undersea world. You can take a class like this in many places. There is probably someplace close to where you live. If you would like some help to find a good spot for you to do it, please let me know. I’d love to see you get started.
Best regards,
Joe
Getting my diving certification has been on my bucket list for way too long! I’ve heard about the beauty of French Polynesia for a long time. As pristine reefs are dwindling with climate change, natural and unnatural disasters its so important to protect these gifts of the planet.
You certainly gave me a proverbial ‘kick in the pants’ to get certified again. Before coming across your article it never dawned on me that I could make an entire vacation out of the adventure of getting my diving license. I researched the prospect of at least getting my newbie training when I was last in the Yucatan Peninsula but, I was worried about the safety levels of instructors that weren’t providing a lot of information.
This is a cruise I would be over-the-moon to take! Thank you for rekindling my passion to explore. A liveaboard certification experience is a huge step up from my original plan and I never would have even known that this type of mega adventurer trip was available if I hadn’t found you!
Hi Fyre,
Thanks a lot for your kind comments. Diving in the fabulous undersea environment of French Polynesia is a bucket list kind of event.
I do have disappointing news for you. As indicated in the post, because of significant currents the diving there is not suitable for beginners. The two liveaboards offer the advanced open water course. This is for divers who have already done the initial course.
As I say to Dale in my response to his comments above, the basic open water diver class takes about 4 days and includes some study, 5 shallow water classes to learn the skills and 4 open water dives to practice the skills and have a supervised introduction to the undersea world. You can take a class like this in many places including a great many of the resorts and liveaboards that I review here on my site. I suggest you browse the different locations and see if there are any that attract you. If you would like some help to find a good spot for you to do it, please let me know. After earning the open water certificate, you would be eligible to do the liveaboard diving in French Polynesia. I hope you get a chance to do it.
Best regards,
Joe
I did some diving when I was in Hawaii last year and completely fell in love with it. I have been looking for my next place to go and these islands look great. I especially like that since the traffic is low everything is still in great condition. Now it’s time to research how much it would cost to get there from the US.
Hi Huy,
Thanks for your comments. French Polynesia really does look like a low traffic, very pristine area to dive, with lots of opportunities to see big fish and mammals.
Good luck finding reasonably priced transportation getting you there. If you have any questions or need any help with logistics, please let me know.
Best regards,
Joe