![]() Black Tipped Sharks are commonly seen and easily approachable. |
HOW IS MOOREA DIVING DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER ISLANDS?
Each Island in French Polynesia has one or more particular scuba traits or special things that make it different from the rest... Bora Bora has the Mantas and wonderful driftdives. Manihi and Tikehau have the pristine lagoon and enormous schools of fish. Raiatea has the wrecks, deep lagoon, and octopus dives, etc, etc.
In Moorea's case, it's likely to be shark feeding, Moray eels, Sea Turtles, and the magnificent Humpback whales, when they're around.
Shark feeding
Shark feeding has become a rather well known scuba activity for all Polynesian Islands, and in the case of Moorea, has developed to an extreme over the years due to 2 particular divers having pioneered and mastered this rather impressive and seemingly scary underwater shark encounter.![]() |
Philippe Molle, pioneer shark feeder, at work in Moorea
waters.
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Sea turtles are not an uncommon
sight in the Moorea waters. |
During the months of August thrue
late October, the annually migrating humpback whales are also a feature of Moorea
diving. The scuba operators enjoy the whales as they commonly see them in
the open waters of the ocean and are also extremely respective of their space,
knowingly treating them with professionalism and proper distance. Moray eels,
huge Napoleon fish, and big Trigger fish are also frequently encountered in
and outside of the lagoon. (Dolphins also exist in Moorea waters, however it
is extremely rare to encounter them.)
Any of these creatures, when encountered,
such as a large, ancient, and wise sea turtle swimming freely, will leave a
lasting impression on your life...
That's what diving is all about, and Moorea waits for you to experience her
underwater magic!
THE SCUBA
OUTFITTERS WHO MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE
There are four major scuba diving businesses
on Moorea as well as a few other "scuba centers" located at select
hotels.
Here, we list them all for you, along with basic information on
their credentials, experience, etc. They are all top quality scuba outfitters
that can take you places underwater you've never imagined, but as with all businesses
listed on TST, we always recommend you contacting them direct with your questions
and bookings.
TOPdive- Moorea

Main scuba center based at Cooks Bay, Moorea
P.O. Box 336- 98 728,
Pao Pao- Moorea, French Polynesia
with a second base inside the Sheraton Moorea Resort and Spa
Phone: (689) 56.17.32 Fax: (689) 56.15.83
PADI certified dive centre # S-6409,
NITROX dive centre
DIVE
BOOKINGS OR DIVE TRIP QUESTIONS?
Just send us an email.
Discover the fascinating
world of the TOPdive Moorea:
We are one of 5 existing TOPdive
centers in French Polynesia based
in Bora Bora, Moorea, Rangiroa,
Tahiti, and Fakarava (opening soon)
Moorea dive center is managed by a young, dynamic, and professional team of divemasters.
Our specialties include exploring Moorea's fascinating shark world and getting a special Polynesian Shark Diving certification!
We are easy to find on Moorea: If you arrive by cruise ship, we're only a one mile walk from the dock...
If you're staying at a hotel, we provide FREE TRANSPORTATION
to and from our dock to your hotel.
From the dock, we'll take our 30 foot, high performance scuba boats equipped with the most modern safety and diving equipment to the best dive spots with the most excellent conditions allowing for the best quality dives possible.
Nitrox, exploration, certification,
introductory, night, lagoon, ocean
dives? We can make all
your dive dreams come true. We provide
all levels of training and scuba
instruction and certify PADI, CMAS
and NITROX.
(* Nitrox will be available in Moorea and Rangiroa end of 2003)
Want to dive all around
French Polynesia? We can
offer you our 10 dives INTERISLAND
dive package. You can use it in
any of the TOPdive centers (Bora Bora,
Moorea, Rangiroa, Tahiti, Fakarava)
and also share it with your partner.
Ask us for details...
TOPdive also offers TOP level lodging on Bora Bora island at very competitive rates. See our link for details.
![]() Print Coupon Now! |
BATHY'S CLUB
Located at the Intercontinental Resort and Spa of Moorea
(P.O. Box 1247- 98 729, Papetoai- MOOREA)
TSTN EZ Print Internet Coupon Participant. Print the Coupon Now to save 10% off all dives! |
Contact: Mr.Paul RAMOS
E-MAIL & RESERVATIONS
We Accept Amex, Visa, and Mastercard!
Telephone- (689) 56.31.44, Fax- (689) 56.38.10.
Dive with quality and expertise.
International CMAS, BEES 1, ANMP Instructor- MF1 and MF2- Dive Master PADI.
Examinations given: all PADI and CMAS certificates- ANMP1,2,3
and also a diving school for children.
| SCUBAPITI Located at Les Tipaniers Hotel P.O. Box 563- 98 728 Maharepa- Moorea, Telephone / Fax- (689) 56.20.38, Contact: Mr. Daniel CAILLEUX BEES 1- Federal Instructor 1st level, International Instructor CMAS, Divemaster, PADI, OWSI, CEDIP. Examinations given: all federal certificates (except level 4), PADI, and CEDIP certificates. Diving school. Open every day. We Accept Amex, Visa, and Mastercard! |
MOOREA
FUN DIVE Based at the Moorea Beach Club Hotel P.O. Box 737- 98 728 Maharepa- Moorea, Telephone- (689) 56.40.38 / 78.92.10, Fax- (689) 56.40.74 Contact: Mrs. Pascale SOUQUIERES International CMAS, BEES 1, Dive master PADI. Examinations given: FFESSM, CMAS, and PADI certificates. We Accept Amex, Visa, and Mastercard! |
| SOFITEL
CORALIA IA ORA,
NAUTICAL ACTIVITIES CENTER Located at the Sofitel Coralia Hotel, P.O. Box 28- 98 728 Maharepa- Moorea Telephone- (689) 56.12.90, ext. 982, Fax- (689) 56.12.91, Contact: Mr. Marco ROOMETUA Activities center featuring SCUBA DIVING trips, among other activities such as deep-sea fishing, glass bottom boat rides, lagoon dolphin watching, snorkeling, outrigger canoeing, and windsurfing. We Accept Amex, Visa, and Mastercard! |
| Where is Moorea? | Moorea is one of the Tahitian Windward Society Islands, located in the Southern Hemisphere about half way between Australia and South America. It is in the same time zone as Hawaii. The flight from Los Angeles to Tahiti is about 7 1/2 hours. Daily ferry transport and airplanes will take you from Papeete, the Capital of Tahiti, to Moorea. |
| What's the best time of year for diving in Moorea? | Scuba diving is good all year round in French Polynesia. The best diving conditions are between April and November. |
| When can I see humpback whales? | Moorea is visited by whales from July to early October. They come to mate and to care for their newborns. You may spot them jumping on your way to a diving site and possibly see them under water too. The experience is always magical! |
| What are the local diving conditions? | Local visibility often reaches 130 feet. The average temperature of the ocean is 79 degrees F (28 C) in the winter season and 84 F (30 C) during the summer. There is no noticeable temperature variation between the surface and a depth of 166 feet (50 M). A light wetsuit, 1/8 inch (3 mm), or even a lycra suit is sufficient for year-round thermal protection. |
| What types of diving will I find in Moorea? | There are three basic types of dives: lagoon dives, outside-the-reef dives, and pass dives. The Lagoon Dives within the lagoon are generally shallow with very clear water. These conditions make them ideal for scuba lessons or for brushing up on your diving skills. However, there are also some deep dive sites within the Moorea lagoon: canyons filed with rays, moray eels and many tropical fish. These deeper sites are for certified divers only. Outside the Reef, just outside Moorea's coral reef, the ocean floor drops off dramatically. Here the reef is alive with a variety of corals and colorful fish, including the larger predators: lemon sharks, grey sharks, black & white sharks, moray eels, Napoleon fish, jack fish, barracuda, tuna, turtles, and dolphins. The Pass dives are at the openings in the coral reef- those which connect the lagoon with the ocean. There are always a large number of fish in these areas, as the tidal flows provide abundant nutrients. |
| How deep will the dives be? | Most of the dives are between 50 feet (15 m) and 70 feet (22 m). For experienced divers, there are deeper dives both within the lagoon and outside the reef. |
| Do I need to have a lot of diving experience to dive in Moorea? | Most of the diving in Moorea is fairly easy in favorable conditions and does not require a lot of diving experience. Many people learn to scuba dive for the first time in Moorea, and it is a wonderful spot for newly certified divers to improve their skills. For divers who wish to obtain additional training, TOPdive- M.U.S.T. of Moorea offers some of the finest courses in continued education and full instruction for PADI, CMAS, and FFESSM certifications, all under the tutilage of Philippe Molle. |
| What certification is required? | Except for beginning divers, you must provide your diving certification card and your diving log. |
| Will I need a dive buddy? | You will not need a dive buddy. On every dive, you will be accompanied by an experienced dive guide who is also an instructor. The guide knows the different local conditions and specific dive areas well and will contribute to a very safe and enjoyable dive holiday. This service is included at no extra charge. However, if you wish to dive with a particular buddy, that is always possible as well. |
| Do I need to bring my own equipment? | No. All the Scuba centers of Bora Bora provide all the equipment you will need for a great diving experience. This includes BCD, regulator, octopus, pressure gauge, wetsuit, weights, mask, fins, and snorkel. Of course, you can always bring your own equipment. Most divers prefer to bring their own mask, fins, and snorkel. |
| I haven't dived in several years. Can you provide an initiation dive to help me brush up on my diving skills? | Of course! We'll insist on it for safety reasons and also to make your dives more pleasurable. TOPdive M.U.S.T. has a great refresher course that will take you as far back to scuba school as you want to go! When you're ready, we'll take you to any number of great dives perfectly suited for this purpose. On your first dive you are likely to see just as many animals as any other spot on Moorea! Turtles, sharks, eels, huge fish, etc! TOPdive- M.U.S.T.'s dive masters pay very close attention when taking you out for the first time. They will ensure that your first dive is a safe and rewarding experience. |
| What types of fish will I encounter? | Moorea is home to many types of fish, and TOPdive- M.U.S.T. Center on Moorea island will strive to make sure that divers get to see as many of them as possible. You can expect to see varied species of sharks, such as black and white tip, grey, and large lemons, large moray eels and Napoleon fish, Sea turtles, and so many other species of fish you will lose count. Barracuda, triggerfish, jackfish, wahoo, snappers, tuna, etc. Occasionally, during the right seasons, divers are rewarded with a close look at humpback whales and sometimes even dolphins. |
| What about sharks? | When you dive with TOPdive- M.U.S.T., or Bathys, you're diving with shark specialists, so you are sure to see many species of sharks. Sharks are not as aggressive in French Polynesian waters as other parts of the world, so you will be quite safe. You will also get to see them feeding! Its an amazing and very safe experience that many divemasters perform daily for their divers. You will be able to take pictures and video at close range. |
| If I have an accident, how will I receive help? | French Polynesia possesses one of the best sea search-and-rescue programs in the world. In case of an accident, there is an evacuation procedure, either by plane or helicopter, available around the clock. In Papeete, there is an ultra modern decompression chamber along with a team of doctors highly trained in hyperbaric medicine. It's only a 7 minute helicopter ride from Moorea. |
| Does my travel insurance cover me while diving? | Most travel insurance policies do not cover scuba diving. You should inquire with your travel agent and include a special clause in your insurance contract prior to departure. It is possible to contract for insurance at TOPdive- M.U.S.T., Bathy's, or some of the other scuba centers on Moorea, valid for your entire stay that covers any type of accident. Ask the individual outfitters for details. |
| Is spear fishing allowed? | French law prohibits spear fishing or collecting anything while wearing scuba tanks. |
DIVE
THE OTHER ISLANDS!
See all the
SCUBA INFORMATIONS, details and outfitters on the other Islands of
An Internetwork of Travel
and Tourism Guides for the Main Islands of Tahiti Polynesia.

PHOTO
CREDITS: All photos on this page
courtesy of Philippe Molle- Moorea.