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Hydravion et Goelett

Hydravion et Goelett, or 'The Catalina,' is our pick for a unique wreck dive in French Polynesia. You won't find many like it here. We love dropping onto the Catalina PBY-5A, a former US Navy seaplane that once flew the Polynesian skies in the 1950s. It sits upright, broken but surprisingly intact, at a maximum depth of 19m. The visibility usually hovers around 16m, which is decent enough to appreciate the scale. We always head straight for the cockpit, imagining the pilots. Then, we spend time exploring the fuselage, noting how the metal has softened with time and coral growth. Keep an eye out for the resident moray eels that peek from crevices, and the small schools of blue-lined tangs and blue-green chromis that dart around the wreckage. We've seen some impressive parrotfish here, casually munching on the encrusted surfaces. It’s a site for divers who appreciate history and a bit of mechanical intrigue, perfect for a relaxed dive.