Scuba Diving with Sharks & Turtles on the Island of Moorea in Tahiti

Hi all of you awesome scuba divers out there. Welcome to Scuba Diver Magazine. Today we're scuba diving in Tahiti with Tahiti Tourism. Tahiti is a world renowned scuba diving destination with crystal clear waters, colourful coral reefs and an abundance of marine life. The best time to go scuba diving in Tahiti is during the dry season which runs from April to November. During this time the weather is sunny and warm with very little rain. The water temperature is also ideal for scuba diving ranging from 79 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. But let's learn a bit more about Tahiti and what it's like to go scuba diving there. Tahiti itself is a beautiful island in the South Pacific known for its stunning beaches, crystal clear waters and lush rainforests. It's the largest island in French Polynesia and is home to a rich culture and history. The island is located about 1500 miles north east of New Zealand in the Pacific and it's a volcanic island with a mountainous interior and a coastline of coral reefs and white sandy beaches. The capital of Tahiti is Papiti which is also the largest city in French Polynesia. The official language of Tahiti is French but many people also speak Tahitian and you can usually find plenty of English speakers as well. The currency of Tahiti is the French Polynesian franc which is pegged to the dollar at a rate of around a hundred francs to a dollar. It fluctuates obviously but it's about 100 francs is a single dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted in Tahiti but it is always a good idea to have a little bit of cash to hand. Average temperature in Tahiti ranges from 71 degrees Fahrenheit to 84 degrees Fahrenheit so that's about 21 to 29 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The warmest months are December to April when the average temperature is about 80 degrees Fahrenheit to 27 Celsius. The cooler months are May to October when the average temperature is around 75 Fahrenheit 24 centigrade. The humidity in Tahiti is relatively high averaging around 75 percent throughout the year. Humidity though is highest during the wet season which runs from November to April. Average annual rainfall in Tahiti is about 120 inches and it's about 300 centimeters. It does get quite wet at times mainly in the wet season which runs from November to April when the average rainfall is about 18 inches or 45 centimeters. The water temperature in Tahiti ranges from 75 degrees Fahrenheit which is about 24 centigrade to 85 Fahrenheit or 30 degrees Celsius throughout the year. This means that you can scuba dive in Tahiti all year round and exposure protection is going to range from a rash fest to probably a three mil depending on how good you are with the cold but you do definitely want something to cover yourself up with especially in the warmer months to protect you from the sun. The visibility in Tahiti is often excellent reaching up to 100 feet about 30 meters or more. This is due to the clear calm waters and the lack of sediment in the water. The currents in Tahiti are generally mild making it a good place for divers at all levels. However there can be stronger currents in some areas so it is important to check with the local dive operator before diving. Tahiti is home to a wide variety of marine life including sharks, rays, turtles, fish and coral. Some of the most popular species to see while scuba diving in Tahiti include blacktip reef sharks, white tips as well, eagle rays, moray eels along with all of the popular butterfly fish and angelfish, parrotfish and the like. But if you're lucky you can also find humpback whales and dolphins as well. There are many dive sites to choose from in Tahiti each with its own unique underwater landscape. Some of the most popular dive sites include the aquarium. So this is a shallow lagoon and it's home to a wide variety of fish including those parrotfish, the butterfly fish and the angelfish have lots of pretty colors. Visibility is often excellent making it a great place to learn to dive or even just to go snorkeling. There are several shipwrecks that can be explored off the coast of Tahiti including the Mayana which was a cargo ship that sank in 1966 but there are lots of other shipwrecks if that's what you prefer. The lagoon hole is a deep underwater sinkhole and it's home to a variety of sharks and rays and other marine life. Visibility isn't as good as in some other dive sites but the unique topography makes this a very worthwhile dive. And you have Papawiski. So this is a cave and it's home to a lot of stalactites and stalagmites as well as a variety of fish and crustaceans. Again the visibility isn't as good as some other sites but the cave is just a very unique and interesting place to go diving. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you do go diving. The weather can change in Tahiti so it's important to prepare for the day ahead. If you're not a certified diver then you can take a diving course in Tahiti. There are many reputable dive shops on the islands that offer courses for all different levels and of course it's best to dive with a guide because they're going to know where the currents are highest and of course where to avoid. Also book your diving in advance especially if you're visiting during the high season to avoid any disappointments. For more information about traveling to Tahiti visit tahititourism.org that's tourism with an e at the end. It's about as remote as you can get for scuba diving Tahiti and you also have the wonderful island life for your surface interval. So if you need to plan your next shot of vitamin c and you want to go diving somewhere unique then of course check out Tahiti. Remember to head over to our website and check out our magazine scubadivermag.com. Our magazine is available worldwide and subscribe to the YouTube channel here. Thank you for watching everybody and of course safe diving.