Temaruata

Temaruata is a wall dive site on the west coast of Tahiti, French Polynesia. The name is Tahitian, likely referring to a local geographical feature or ancestral place name.

Overview

The site presents a steep wall dropping from a shallow reef crest at 5–8 metres down to 30 metres, where it transitions to a sandy slope. The wall face is characterised by a mix of large plate corals on the upper sections, wire corals and black corals in the mid-section, and encrusting coralline algae and sponges at depth. Tahiti’s leeward-coast sites consistently produce visibility of 25–35 metres, and water temperatures average 27–28°C, dropping a degree or two at the 30-metre mark.

What to Expect

Temaruata’s wall is known for its healthy coral coverage and the density of reef fish sheltering on its face. Large schools of striped surgeonfish and convict tangs graze the upper reef crest while the wall below hosts resting nurse sharks and white-tip reef sharks wedged into crevices. Hawksbill turtles forage on the sponges and soft corals along the mid-wall. Eagle rays and occasional grey reef sharks patrol the sandy base of the wall. The site receives moderate attention from Papeete-based operators and can be dived year-round, though April–November provides the most reliably calm conditions.

Conditions

• Best season: April–November
• Visibility: 25–35 m typical
• Current: Mild to moderate
• Water temperature: 26–28°C
• Entry: Boat dive

Tips

Plan a multilevel profile, beginning at 28–30 m to examine the deepest wall section before working back up to the reef crest for the safety stop. The site pairs well with nearby St Etienne sites for a two-dive morning from Papeete.

Sources: Dive and Sea Tahiti - Dive Sites, Eleuthera Tahiti Diving Center, Tahiti Tourisme. Last updated 2026-05-30.