Diving & Snorkeling Tahiti & French Polynesia

by Carillet, Jean-Bernard; Wheeler, Tony

• ISBN13: 9781864500714
• ISBN10: 1864500719
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: Lonely Planet

Summary

Above or below the waterline names like Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea are the essence of the South Pacific's magic. Offering spectacular marine life and a wide choice of diving operators. French Polynesia has diving for every taste. From manta rays and stingrays to reef sharks and humpback whales, the islands offer up-close encounters with the underwater world. This guide reveals the best dive sites from Rangiroa to Rurutu and gives a tasty sampling of topside attractions in this tropical paradise.

Table of Contents

Introduction	9	(2)
Overview	11	(1)
History	12	(2)
Geography	14	(4)
Practicalities	18	(1)
Climate	18	(1)
Language	18	(1)
Getting There	19	(1)
Gateway City - Papeete	20	(1)
Getting Around	21	(1)
Entry	22	(1)
Money	22	(1)
Time	23	(1)
Electricity	23	(1)
Weights & Measures	23	(1)
What to Bring	23	(1)
Underwater Photography	24	(1)
Business Hours	25	(1)
Accommodations	25	(1)
Dining & Food	26	(1)
Shopping	27	(1)
Activities & Attractions	28	(7)
Tahiti	29	(1)
Moorea	30	(1)
Huahine	31	(1)
Raiatea & Tahaa	31	(1)
Bora Bora	32	(1)
Rangiroa	32	(1)
Manihi	33	(1)
Fakarava	33	(1)
Nuku Hiva	34	(1)
Rurutu	34	(1)
Diving Health & Safety	35	(6)
General Health	35	(1)
Pre-Trip Preparation	35	(2)
Tips for Evaluating a Dive Operator	37	(1)
DAN	37	(1)
Diving & Flying	38	(1)
Medical & Recompression Facilities	38	(3)
Diving in French Polynesia	41	(6)
Snorkeling	43	(1)
Certification	44	(1)
Live-Aboards	44	(2)
Pisces Rating System for Dives & Divers	46	(1)
Tahiti Dive Sites	47	(13)
The Aquarium	49	(1)
The Cargo Ship & the Catalina	50	(1)
Papa Whisky	51	(1)
St. Etienne Drop-Off	52	(1)
The Spring	53	(1)
The Faults of Arue	54	(1)
The Hole in the Lagoon	55	(3)
The Tetopa Grotto	58	(1)
The Marado	59	(1)
Moorea Dive Sites	60	(10)
The Tiki	62	(1)
Stingray World	63	(1)
Taotoi	64	(1)
Opunohu Canyons	65	(2)
The Roses	67	(2)
Temae	69	(1)
Huahine Dive Sites	70	(7)
Fa'a Miti	72	(1)
Avapeihi Pass	73	(1)
Safari Aquarium	74	(1)
Parea	75	(1)
The Canyon	76	(1)
Raiatea & Tahaa Dive Sites	77	(9)
Teavapiti Pass	79	(1)
Nordby	80	(1)
Napoleons of Miri Miri & The Roses	81	(2)
Miri Miri Pass	83	(1)
The Little Caves	84	(1)
The Mounts of Ceran	85	(1)
Bora Bora Dive Sites	86	(8)
Anau	88	(1)
Toopua & Toopua Iti	89	(1)
Tapu	90	(2)
Muri Muri/The White Valley	92	(1)
Tupitipiti	93	(1)
Rangiroa Dive Sites	94	(12)
Tiputa Pass-Shark Cave	96	(1)
Tiputa Pass-The Valley	97	(1)
Nuhi Nuhi	98	(1)
Avatoru Pass	99	(1)
Mahuta	100	(1)
Manihi Dive Sites	101	(1)
The Circus	102	(1)
Tairapa Pass & the Drop-Off	103	(2)
La Faille	105	(1)
Fakarava Dive Sites	106	(4)
Garuae Pass	107	(1)
Tumakohua Pass	108	(2)
Nuku Hiva Dive Sites	110	(8)
The Pygmy Orcas	112	(1)
Tikapo	113	(1)
Ekamako	113	(1)
The Hammerhead Sentry Point	114	(1)
Dulcinea	115	(1)
Motumano Point	116	(1)
Matateteiko	117	(1)
Rurutu Dive Site	118	(2)
Humpback Whales	119	(1)
Marine Life	120	(6)
Hazardous Marine Life	123	(3)
Diving Conservation & Awareness	126	(3)
Responsible Diving	127	(2)
Listings	129	(4)
Diving Services	129	(3)
Live-Aboards	132	(1)
Index	133