Diving & Travel Guide to Raiatea & Taha'a (Society Islands)

About Raiatea & Taha'a (Society Islands)

Raiatea and Tahaa share one of the largest lagoon systems in the Society Islands, enclosed by a spectacular barrier reef with multiple passes and diverse dive environments. Raiatea is the cultural heart of Polynesia, home to the ancient Taputapuatea marae, and offers excellent diving including the Teavapiti Pass drift dive where grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, barracuda, and large snappers ride the tidal currents. The Nordby wreck, a fifty-metre three-masted schooner sunk in 1900, lies scattered at eighteen to twenty-five metres with anchors, cannons, and coral-encrusted structures providing habitat for abundant macro life. The Miri Miri site offers shallow reef diving with turtles, morays, and angelfish ideal for training. Across the shared lagoon, Tahaa lives up to its reputation as the vanilla island with aromatic plantations scenting the air and equally impressive underwater attractions. The Tahaa Coral Gardens provide drift diving between motus with stingrays, blacktip sharks, and excellent visibility in crystal-clear water. The seasonal Manta Point on Tahaa's outer reef attracts manta rays to cleaning stations alongside grey reef sharks and eagle rays. The sheltered Tahaa Lagoon is a macro paradise with pipefish, ghost pipefish, and seahorses among the coral bommies. Together, these two islands offer a compelling combination of cultural significance, historic wreck diving, pass adventures, and tranquil coral gardens that reward a multi-day visit.

Highlights

• ✓Teavapiti Pass (Raiatea): Drift dive with grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, barracuda, and large snappers riding the tidal currents.
• ✓The Nordby Wreck: Fifty-metre three-masted schooner from 1900 scattered at 18 to 25 metres with anchors, cannons, and coral-encrusted structures.
• ✓Tahaa Coral Gardens: Drift diving between motus with coral gardens, stingrays, blacktip sharks, and excellent visibility.
• ✓Manta Point (Tahaa): Seasonal manta cleaning station on the outer reef with grey reef sharks and eagle rays.

Getting There

Air Tahiti flights from Papeete to Raiatea take forty-five minutes. Ferry connections available from Bora Bora and Huahine.