Taha'a Diving

Located at the Marina d'Uturoa, just a short walk from the town centre, Te Mara Nui is a long-established dive centre serving the Raiatea and Tahaa area. The centre provides direct access to the lagoon, with most dive sites reached by motorboat in between 7 and 25 minutes.

The centre is managed by Floriane, a BEES 1 instructor who has been intimately familiar with the local lagoon since 1994. Her deep local knowledge ensures that every dive is informed by decades of experience in these specific waters.

Safety and environmental stewardship are central to the operation. The centre maintains a strict limit of 5 divers per guide and adheres to a policy of no shark feeding. To protect the local ecosystem, all dive sites are equipped with mooring buoys to prevent anchor damage.

The centre offers a comprehensive range of FFESSM certifications, starting from Niveau 1 through to Niveau 3. For those looking to advance their technical skills, PE40 and PA20 PE40 training is available.

The centre operates two motorboats to accommodate different needs. One vessel is dedicated to diving trips, while the second is used for snorkeling and excursions to Tahaa.

Full equipment hire is available on-site for those who do not wish to travel with their own kit. The facility is located conveniently at the marina, providing easy access for boat departures.

The area is exceptionally rich in pelagics. You can expect to encounter various shark species including grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus), and whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus). Larger species such as barracuda (Sphyraena), jack (Carangidae), and various types of sharks and rays, including leopard rays, are also part of the local ecosystem.

The reef itself is a vibrant habitat featuring a wide array of colourful fish. You will see various species of angelfish (Pomacanthidae), surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), and parrotfish. Other common residents include batfish (Platx), soldierfish, and Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus).

For those interested in macro life, the sites offer sightings of nudibranchs and various crustaceans. The coral gardens are built upon a foundation of hard coral (Scleractinia), providing a complex environment for smaller inhabitants like shrimp and various species of wrasse (Labridae).

The area offers a variety of diving environments, including drift dives through moderate currents in the passes and calm, current-free conditions in the shallower reef gardens. The proximity of the sites ensures that most dives are only a short boat ride away.