Each of the many islands of Tahiti is a tiny paradise. Some isles are crowned with jagged peaks soaring magically out of the ocean in an explosion of green velvet while others appear as if gracefully tossed upon the ocean – barely floating above the breaking waves. There is no better place to experience a homeymoon or exotic beach getaway.

Around all the islands of Tahiti, dramatic views continue below the water. Divers and snorkellers are amazed by the density of large marine life. Regular encounters include manta rays whose gigantic wingspan eclipses the passing diver; schools of dolphin dancing along the surf; sharks seemingly at every turn; and, in the Austral Islands, humpback whales thrill the lucky spectators in their annual parade.

The many sites around the island of Tahiti are perfect for both beginning and advanced divers. Highlights include clear, shallow waters; steep oceanic drop-offs; sunken vessels; walls of bright coral; and schools of smaller species. Although there are fewer larger species here, Tahiti offers excellent variety and density of dive sites.

Tahiti has fine visibility and some interesting or unusual dive sites with a myriad of colourful reef fish, but it does not have the abundance of large marine life found in some of the outer islands. While Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea are everyone's dream of the South Pacific, the diving is a notch below many other islands in French Polynesia. The best place to go for diving is the island of Rangiroa, approximately an hour flight from Tahiti. Rangiroa is the largest atoll in the South Pacific and one of the largest in the world. Its lagoon is 40 miles long and 20 miles wide with a depth up to 150ft). Communicating with the Pacific Ocean by the Avatoru and Tiputa channels, a phenomenal quantity of water flows from the ocean into the lagoon and vice versa; following the tides are hordes of fish, jacks, tuna, barracuda, manta rays and eagle rays, turtles, dolphins, etc. A short distance out into the lagoon, the reef drops to a depth of 1200m.