Need expert help?
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Meet Joni, one of our travel experts for the Islands of Tahiti.
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Born in the Southwest, raised in the Northwest, I have called the South Pacific home for over 30 years. I founded J2 Travels in the late 1990s to share our knowledge with other like minded travelers – remembering always, that the joy is in the journey. I currently live on Maui, I'm endorsed by IATA, and am a member of the Fiji, Tahiti and New Zealand Tourism Boards.
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"I want to say a big THANK YOU!! We had the most amazing time on our trip. Everything was wonderful. We absolutely loved Queenstown. We took the bus out to Milford Sound and then took a helicopter back as you suggested. It was raining the whole way out there but then the rain disappeared so we saw so many waterfalls it was breathtaking! We also went horseback riding in Glenorchy (well, I did – Pete got sick!) and that was amazing. The drive out there was beautiful and the ride itself was really fun. We tried to go skydiving but unfortunately it cancelled twice because of the winds. We also went jetboating,and spent a lot of time in the restaurants and bars in town. We then spent a few hours in Nelson and went out to Bleinhem for a day and did some wine-tasting, which was a lot of fun. When we were in Motueka we spent sometime relaxing and then did an 8 hour kayak/hike through Abel Tasman, which was truly amazing…and tiring! We spent a lot of our time in Rotorua just hanging out at the hotel and relaxing because it was just so beautiful, but we did go to hell’s gate which was really neat. In Auckland we spent a day walking around and then played golf one day. We also went to dinner at the Mudbrick restaurant in Waiheke which was great.
And on to Fiji...it was amazing! We loved Tokoriki. It was a beautiful spot and the Fijian people that worked there were so warm and friendly. The honeymoon bure that we stayed in was absolutely amazing, and we spent a lot of time just hanging out in our plunge pool. We also went snorkeling a few times, which was great. The food was also really good. As for the seaweed, there was definitely a fair bit of seaweed around and a slight smell of it, but it really wasn’t a big problem. After the first day we didn’t even think about it. I would definitely recommend Tokoriki to others, and would love to go back someday.
Thank you again for all of your help. We will definitely let our friends and family know how great you were when they head off to NZ / Fiji!
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- Megan & Pete
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"We had a fantastic time in Fiji. Qamea was particularly wonderful-rustic, authentic, beautiful, and communal. Staff members were incredibly friendly and always very accommodating. Namale was spectacular and definitely more upscale. Our bure was so elegant and we had a private deck overlooking the ocean that was phenomenal. We appreciated the remoteness and feel of Qamea over Namale, however, so we were delighted to have been there longer. I would certainly recommend Qamea to anyone traveling to that area of the world.
Thanks again for arranging this remarkable trip. It was incredibly unique and one we will remember always. We're both grateful to you.
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- Naomi & Matt
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"The Four Seasons Maui and your recommendations for the other island resorts we visited were wonderful. The Four Seasons Maui is impeccable, as we also enjoyed the Halekulani on Oahu and the Hyatt at Poipu on Kauai.
Thank you so much for your attention to detail, your availability every step of the way planning our honeymoon and assisting our guests. Your surprise gifts to us and our guests were extra special touches, and I can't rave enough about you. Even through the most stressful times I endured, you always kept your calm and made sure we were taken care of. You went above and beyond for us, going to the Four Seasons to take pictures of the construction before we got there for the wedding so we would be prepared, calling around to local stores to help me find items for gift baskets, giving us the scoop on where to shop, eat, etc.-all in such great detail as well!
You really are a true, experienced travel agent that doesn't just book trips, but travels to and knows the areas and resorts in which you book your clients and you become a trusted friend. It is with the utmost gratitude we write this in appreciation for everything you did to help make our honeymoon dreams come true for us and our guests.
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- Michelle & Scott
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"We are now home and slowly acclimating to reality. We had the most fabulous time on our holiday and want to thank you for seeing to it that every little detail was well planned, organized, and executed. We feel you really listened to our desires and planned "THE PERFECT" holiday...thank you so very much. We will definitely call you again and have recommended you to several of our friends. It is obvious that you really know both New Zealand and Fiji as I'm sure you know the other locations you book for your clients, I especially liked how you found locations that were less "touristy" and more reflective of the countries we were visiting...just as I requested. Thank you!"
- Randy and Teresa
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"Kurstan and I had the most amazing time on our trip to Maui. The wedding went off without a hitch, even though when we arrived at the house that we rented for the occasion there were hurricane strength winds. They died down in just enough time to get the flower circle in a perfect place overlooking the ocean and everything went according to plan. The ceremony was thoughtful and such a happy time for us as well as Kurstan's mom and Jack who seemed pleased with the arrangements as well.
As for the honeymoon, that was a vacation of a lifetime. I have never been as happy as I was on this trip. The hotel was lovely and the service was fantastic. Our room was more spacious than I imagined and the view was breathtaking. The hotel itself was beautiful from the lounges to the restaurants to the pool area to the beach. The beach was the best that we saw on the island.
Also, Joni, you were so helpful in getting everything arranged with us and Kurstan's mom. It was difficult for us not having ever been to Maui figuring out where to stay and what to do, but you were more than helpful in making this a trip that will be remembered throughout our lives. What a way to start a marriage!
And, thank you for the champagne you sent to our room upon our arrival. It was such a great way to start our trip.
Thank you so much for everything, and we'll definitely contact you for any help we need with travel in the future.
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- Heather & Kurstan
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"Lisa and I had a magical experience at Qamea and everything was wonderful! You prepared us perfectly and all the details were worry free. We had a beautiful sunny day outdoor wedding in Michigan and then whisked away to paradise.
Thank you does not fully communicate our appreciation and we will be sending you referrals at every opportunity. We will be in touch soon and again, sincere thanks and warm regards!
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- Scott & Lisa
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"Hey Joni! Thanks so much for checking in. We had an awesome time! Best vacation ever!! Would love to talk with you about everything, let me know when is good for you? We really want to go back, maybe in a few years.
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- Traci
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Tahiti Scuba Diving Guide
Explore > Travel Planning Articles > Tahiti Travel Guide > Tahiti Scuba Diving Guide
Date published:
2025-09-05
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About the author, Michael Cottam
Founder of Visual Itineraries, Michael lives in Bend, Oregon. He's an avid traveler, scuba diver, photographer, and a private pilot,
and also the founder of Bright Yonder, which offers marketing tools to travel agents.
He's been to Fiji, Thailand, Vietnam, Seychelles, Kenya, France, England, New Zealand, Jamaica, Belize, Costa Rica, Turks & Caicos, British Virgin Islands, Mexico, and the major islands in French Polynesia.
He's been in Rotary for 22 years, currently on the board of the Greater Bend Rotary Club.
Here's his LinkedIn and
Pinterest.
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Water temperature, scuba diving in Tahiti
Clownfish in anemones in Moorea, French Polynesia.
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The water temperature in French Polynesia, like the air temperature, doesn't change all that much.
August and September it's around 77 Fahrenheit; in March and April it's more like 85F. Some people wear shorty wetsuits,
some a t-shirt (mostly to avoid chafing), but I've found a diveskin is ideal--just enough warmth, and less restrictive on your movements than a shorty.
Also, if you have your own diveskin with some sort of design on it, you'll be easier for your dive buddy to spot amongst all the other divers in identical rental shorties. For more on
diving vacation trips, check out this article I wrote for Expert Beacon.
Scuba diving is possible off the coast of many islands. In Bora Bora, you'll find an amazing array of sharks at Tapu, the entrance to the lagoon on the west side (I included this
spot in my article on top 10 "bucket list" destinations for scuba divers at Go World Travel Guide).
Really spectacular diving can be found in the Tuamotu Atolls.
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TRAVEL SPECIAL: Le Tikehau by Pearl ResortsTikehau Pearl Beach Resort 5 nights from 4,250 per person  Maeva! Welcome! Le Tikehau by Pearl Resorts is the authentic Polynesian sanctuary you have been dreaming of, a confetti of simplicity on one of the most beautiful atolls in the Tuamotu Archipelago. Relaxation and meditation, or discovery and activities: this lagoon at the end of the world is the blank page from which you can write the most beautiful journey. In the unspoiled natural setting of a private coral islet, its 37 suites and bungalows make the Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort the only boutique hotel in the Tuamotu, combining intimacy and warmth. Located on motu Tiano, a 15-minute boat ride from the village, Le Tikehau by Pearl Resorts reveals itself in the ocean's infinite shades of blue. Behind the pink sand beach, the wild coconut grove hides a beautiful tropical garden. You will feel transported right away in this world of exotism and serenity. Learn more about Le Tikehau by Pearl ResortsConsidered to be one of the most beautiful atolls in Polynesia, Tikehau is a graceful oval crown of small islets within an interior lagoon 16 miles across and a pass for small boats through a coral reef.
When you'll see what, and where, when diving in French Polynesia
- Reef sharks: all year long, everywhere
- Lemon sharks: all year long, everywhere
- Hammerhead sharks: February and March, in the Tuamotu Atolls
- Humpback whales: August through October near Moorea and Tahiti Nui; from October through December, in the Marquesas islands
- Marbled groupers: late June/early July is their mating seasons, in the Tuamotu Atolls
- Manta rays: June to November, Bora Bora, Rangiroa and Tikehau
- Humphead wrasse: all year long, mostly Rangiroa and Fakarava (although I've had a huge one join us on a dive at Tapu, Bora Bora)
- Tiger sharks: July to November, Tahiti, Fakarava, Tikehau, and sometimes in the Bora Bora lagoon
Tahiti Tourisme has this great guide to dive sites in French Polynesia.
You'll find a terrific, detailed description of dive sites on the various islands in Chantae Reden and David Stanley's
Tahiti & French Polynesia guidebook.
How we work with you to plan the perfect trip:
- We'll talk with you to find out what you're looking for, what you like/don't like, etc.
- We'll use our first-hand knowledge of the destination to pick out a handful of resorts we think you'd like
- We'll create a custom mini website for you, with photos, videos, maps, etc. of the resorts we are recommending
- We'll follow up with you to help you make your decision
- We'll go to work with our suppliers to get you the best deal available on what you've decided on.
Map of all Resorts in French Polynesia
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