Fausse Passe de Paea - Moorea & Tahiti

Kichafi is one of those sites we always come back to when we’re in Zanzibar. It's not about big pelagics, though you might get lucky with a green turtle gliding past. For us, Kichafi shines for its incredible macro life and the sheer health of its corals. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the massive, rolling plates of coral. They stretch out, creating these perfect little hideaways. We love poking around the nooks and crannies here; the current description mentions scorpionfish and stonefish, and we’d add leaf fish to that list. They’re masters of disguise, and spotting one is a real thrill. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too, like the eroded cowries and prickly spotted drupes clinging to the reef. The visibility averages around 14 meters, which is plenty for close-up viewing. The middle section of Kichafi transitions into dense, healthy patches of soft corals. It's a different vibe, more swaying and colourful. It’s a shallower dive, maxing out at 17 meters, so it's a relaxed profile. We often find ourselves spending ages just hovering, watching the small schools of yellow snapper dart in and out of the coral heads. It’s a site that rewards patience and a keen eye. Kichafi is ideal for divers who appreciate the intricate details of a reef. If you love hunting for camouflaged creatures or just want a chill dive amongst vibrant, healthy corals, this one’s for you. It’s a gentle introduction to Zanzibar diving or a lovely afternoon dive for experienced photographers.

Location: Moorea & Tahiti, French Polynesia, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates: -17.674900, -149.597100
Type: reef

Marine Protected Area: Grottes de Maraa

Best Time to Dive in Moorea & Tahiti

The warmest water temperatures in Moorea & Tahiti occur in April, averaging 29.0°C. The coolest conditions are in September at 26.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 28.2°C
February: 28.5°C
March: 28.9°C
April: 29.0°C
May: 28.4°C
June: 27.6°C
July: 26.7°C
August: 26.4°C
September: 26.3°C
October: 26.6°C
November: 27.2°C
December: 27.8°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Moorea & Tahiti

Nearest Dive Centres to Fausse Passe de Paea

Marine Life in Moorea & Tahiti

Home to 141 recorded species including 116 reef fish, 7 hard corals, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 5 sea cucumbers, 2 whales & dolphins, 1 clams & mussels.

Notable Species

Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
Burrowing urchin (Echinometra mathaei) - Sea Urchins
Tigerfish (Bohadschia argus) - Sea Cucumbers
Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
Banded Goatfish (Parupeneus multifasciatus) - Reef Fish
Lemon Peel (Centropyge flavissima) - Reef Fish
Orange-lined Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) - Reef Fish
Argus Grouper (Cephalopholis argus) - Reef Fish
Blue-lined Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - Reef Fish
Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
Clown Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ornatissimus) - Reef Fish
Citron Butterfly (Chaetodon citrinellus) - Reef Fish
Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
Batavian Parrotfish (Scarus psittacus) - Reef Fish
Manini (Acanthurus triostegus) - Reef Fish
Honeycomb Grouper (Epinephelus merra) - Reef Fish
Butterfly fish (Chaetodon vagabundus) - Reef Fish
Spotted Toby (Canthigaster solandri) - Reef Fish
Long-beaked Dolphin (Stenella longirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
Silver Squirrelfish (Sargocentron microstoma) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Fausse Passe de Paea

Based on average water temperature of 27.6°C, currents 8 cm/s.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories