Diving & Travel Guide to Moorea (Society Islands)

About Moorea (Society Islands)

Moorea delivers an extraordinary combination of dramatic volcanic scenery above water and world-class diving below the surface. The island's two deep bays, Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, are flanked by razor-sharp peaks that create one of the most photographed landscapes in the Pacific. Below the surface, Moorea is famous for its Shark Gallery where divers descend to a lagoon channel to encounter dozens of blacktip reef sharks and grey reef sharks in a baited but carefully managed experience. The shallow sandy area of Opunohu Bay hosts resting sicklefin lemon sharks that can be observed by both divers and snorkellers, alongside green turtles and stingrays. The Opunohu canyons provide thrilling drift dives through deep channels patrolled by grey reef sharks, barracuda, and Napoleon wrasse. For beginners, Tiki Point offers gentle coral gardens with stingrays and moray eels in shallow protected waters. The outer reef drop-off delivers sheer walls where pelagic sharks, tuna, and occasional manta rays pass through the blue. The Rose Garden site features unique giant rose-shaped coral formations teeming with butterflyfish and angelfish. Night diving at Motu Tiahura reveals nurse sharks, hunting octopus, and bioluminescent displays. Moorea's proximity to Tahiti, just a thirty-minute ferry ride from Papeete, makes it an essential addition to any French Polynesian diving itinerary. The island's well-developed tourism infrastructure includes luxury resorts, quality restaurants, and professional dive operations that cater to all experience levels.

Highlights

• ✓Shark Gallery (Canyon aux Requins): World-famous baited shark site with dozens of blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, lemon sharks, schooling jacks, and eagle rays in a lagoon channel.
• ✓Lemon Shark Valley: Shallow sandy area in Opunohu Bay where dozens of sicklefin lemon sharks rest, accessible to snorkellers and divers alongside turtles and stingrays.
• ✓The Outer Reef Drop-off: Sheer wall dropping into deep blue water with pelagic sharks, tuna, occasional manta rays, and dolphin pods.
• ✓Rose Garden: Unique field of giant rose-shaped coral formations with butterflyfish, angelfish, and pipefish.

Getting There

Frequent high-speed ferries from Papeete take thirty minutes. Air Moorea flights take seven minutes from Tahiti. Car rental available on arrival.