Plateau aux tortues - Moorea & Tahiti

Plateau aux tortues, just off Moorea, is a spot we keep coming back to. It’s not about dramatic walls or huge pelagics, but rather the sheer comfort of the place. You drift over a sandy bottom, about 10-15 metres deep, with scattered coral bommies that act like little apartment blocks for fish. We've spent entire dives just watching the social dynamics of the Yellowtail Dascyllus around a single coral head, or spotting a shy Coral Hogfish darting between rocks. The turtles are, of course, the main draw. You’ll find them resting on the sand, sometimes half-buried, or slowly cruising past. We've seen Blackspot Surgeonfish picking algae off their shells, a sort of slow-motion cleaning station. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who likes to take their time and observe. Visibility is usually excellent, around 25-30 metres, making for calm, sun-drenched dives. Go in the morning, before the boat traffic picks up; the turtles seem more relaxed then. It’s a great spot for newer divers, or experienced ones who just want a peaceful float.

Location
Moorea & Tahiti, French Polynesia, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates
-17.629380, -149.618320

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 Plateau aux tortues

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 Plateau aux tortues

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