Page 95 - French Polynesia

apa Whisky - Maximum depth: 165 feet. “Papa whisky” is the
P name given to the small artificial island located adjacent to
the airport of Faa’a. On the surface seems to be that of a cliff. It is, reef is covered with numerous orange gorgonians and black coral.
in fact, the edge of a vast amphitheatre (230 feet long) created by
the collapse of one part of an undersea plateau. The interior of the
structure better withstands the force of the surrounding currents.
The journey on the South side is a beautiful geographical fault
covered with yellow gorgonian coral formations. The north point
is also rich in gorgonian coral although there are groups of violet
coral. You may come across tuna that sometimes follow divers from
a distance before disappearing into the blue. The visibility is often
excellent where the ocean becomes an abrupt wall of cliff. You’ll
find that the gorgonian coral even bigger and dense at this depth.
T etopa Cave - Great caverns filled with crustaceans, such as
lobsters, crabs and shrimps.
T he Abyss - See coral roses and deep sea fish in this dive recom-
mended for experienced divers only.
T he Aquarium - A dive within the protected lagoon of Tahiti
where many species of tropical fish can be seen on this relax-
ing dive site. Very shallow and extremely clear, this site provides
an excellent check out dive.
he Arue Gorgonians - A deep dive along near the Tahiti Yacht
T club, a vertical and sometimes overhanging wall of the outer
Make sure to bring a dive light to appreciate the beauty and colors
of this spot, home to a multitude of small fish. A little further
along and shallower (30 m) the cave of Arue has been dug natu-
rally into the drop, deep enough to allow the passage of a group of
five divers abreast. This walls of the cavern hide lobsters schools of
rockfish as well as crayfish.
T he Fare Miti Split - Vertical crack which “splits” the water.
Whitetip reef sharks, humphead wrasses, deep sea fish.
T he Sea Fans - Maximum depth : 200 feet. Site located on the
west coast near Paea, it owes its name to a roof covered with
gorgonian coral. You may encounter silky sharks taking refuge in
the faults.
T he Spring - Maximum depth: 100 feet. The site is named after a
spring of fresh water emerging from the depths of the ocean.
The source emerges from 15 – 20 feet below the surface. It is eas-
ily visible through the column of bubbles of water that escapes.
Beyond the source, you can go down to 70 feet. The site is known
for sharks, humphead wrasse and naori wrasse. From both sides of
the spring are valleys rich in marine life.