Oh French Polynesia, with it’s turquoise waters, deserted beaches and hanging palm trees it is really one of the paradises on earth.
For the divers that make it this far, after crossing thousands of miles and borders, there is an incredible ocean spectacle waiting.
Check out this video from Behind the Mask to discover what diving in French Polynesia could be like:
Diving in French Polynesia
French Polynesia is one of the most beautiful and remote destinations in the world. It is a great place to explore, with its many islands, diverse cultures and stunning marine life.
An archipelago of 118 islands located in the South Pacific Ocean, French Polynesia is known for its stunning white-sand beaches, crystal clear waters and untouched coral reefs. Diving in French Polynesia is a truly unique experience, with its pristine reefs home to a variety of marine life including walls of sharks, humpback whales, manta rays, turtles and dolphin sightings. Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just want to relax on the beach, French Polynesia offers something for everyone.
When and How to Travel to French Polynesia
Getting to French Polynesia can be done from New Zealand or Papua New Guinea, depending on your preference. There are two distinct seasons in French Polynesia – wet season from November to April and dry season from May to October. During the wet season, there are fewer tourists, slightly lower temperatures, but more rain and humidity. The dry season brings more tourists but also warmer weather, less humidity and less rain.
Whale migration occurs between August and October in French Polynesia, so if you want to experience a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with these majestic creatures, then this is the best time to visit. If you are looking for an unforgettable adventure, then French Polynesia is the perfect destination for you.
Not Just a Diving Destination
French Polynesia is a paradise on Earth, full of culture, history, beautiful landscapes and delicious local food. It is known as the birthplace of tattoos, where body art has been used as a form of expression for centuries. It is also home to some of the most beautiful lagoons and waterfalls in the world, in fact the beaches of the French Polynesian island, Bora Bora, make it in the top 10 beaches of the world list every year. Oozing with amazing natural beauty, there’s something for everyone in French Polynesia – from water sports and excursions to relaxing on the beach or exploring its rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re looking for an action packed trip or just want to relax, French Polynesia has it all!
We Recommend
Diving in French Polynesia is an experience of a lifetime, but as we know, when scuba diving or freediving, we should always expect the unexpected, even if it isn’t something we don’t want to think about.
A not so severe diving accident in a remote location can quickly become a serious risk if you are not covered by good diving accident insurance.
Emergency evacuations to a hospital with the correct facilities and trained staff to attend to a diving accident can be costly, often needing to travel quite a distance to get there.
That being said, French Polynesia is known for its safety and follows strict French regulations, all dive boats must have emergency oxygen on board and they have diving accident facilities, including a chamber on the largest island of Tahiti.
We recommend purchasing a DiveAssure dive and travel coverage plan to cover your entire trip to, during and from French Polynesia.
Planning a diving liveaboard? Don’t forget to purchase our liveaboard specific coverage to ensure you dive and travel worry free.
Relax and dive, we’ve got you covered.