KEARSAINT - Moorea & Tahiti

The Kearsaint, Moorea, isn't your typical reef dive. It’s a proper wreck, sunk deliberately in 1923, and resting upright in the sandy shallows. We love how accessible it is, sitting in only about 10 meters of water, making it fantastic for extended bottom times and even snorkelers can get a good look from above on a calm day. It’s an older wreck, so much of the superstructure has long since collapsed, but the hull is still surprisingly intact, offering plenty of nooks and crannies to peer into. Look for the massive anchor chain draped over the bow – it’s a favourite hangout for schools of juvenile snapper and the occasional reef shark cruising by. You'll often spot moray eels tucked into the darker recesses, and we’ve seen eagle rays glide past on the outer edges of the sandy patch. It’s not a deep dive for big pelagics, but the sheer history and the way the marine life has completely reclaimed it makes the Kearsaint a truly special spot. We'd suggest going in the morning; the light filtering through the water onto the wreck is just beautiful.

Location
Moorea & Tahiti, French Polynesia, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates
-17.490555, -149.863890
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Pointe Vénus

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 KEARSAINT

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

Recommended Packing List for KEARSAINT

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