Most of the diving facilities 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:
- the guide (according to French regulations, all dives are Dive Master led & secured)
- the boat transfer to the dive site
- 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.
Airline
Air Tahiti, the domestic airline, allowance additional baggage allowance for divers who can have up to 25kg of checked luggage. This is valid for Dive Passengers arriving on Air Tahiti within 7 days after an international arrival. Divers must present, upon check-in at Air Tahiti counter:
- their International Diving Card
- their international flights tickets
Other Things You Need to Know
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.
Diving Safety: 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.
Pre-Booking: We shall always recommend to pre-book at least part of the diving to ensure availability, especially in the remote islands where diving facilities may be limited.
Types of Dives:
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)
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.
Local Certification Lessons: If the divers have at least one week, they can enroll 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.
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.
