Dive· Nuku Hiva· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Tikapo Pinnacles Dive Site (Pointe Tikapo)
8° 55.8′ S · 140° 0.9′ W · approximate
Current-swept rock pinnacles off Pointe Tikapo, Nuku Hiva's SE corner, swarming with jacks, triggerfish and unicornfish, with tuna, bonito, silvertips and eagle rays hunting the edges.
Practical
Position approx: Pointe Tikapo (also mapped as Cap Martin) is at -8.92674, -140.01677 in OpenStreetMap; the pin is set about 300 m seaward of the point, as the operator publishes no position. Nuku Dive (2026): negative entry, often strong current, exposed to swell and southerly winds, best October to March, requires PE40 or an experienced Advanced Open Water diver; 30 minutes by boat. Big Fish Expeditions (2015) met about a dozen silvertip sharks and a squadron of eagle rays here. Sailors: there is a rock off this point; give it a wide berth when rounding for Controleur Bay or Anaho.
Best for
Advanced pelagic diving with silvertips
Season
Oct-Mar; avoid in S swell
Nearby
- Hooumi Bay (Controleur Bay)2.3 NM away
- Lisette and Herve's Kaikai (Hooumi)2.3 NM away
- Hooumi Beach (Controleur Bay)2.5 NM away
- Hooumi Seed-Jewelry Artisans2.7 NM away
- Hakapaa and Hakapuvai Coral Snorkel (Controleur Bay)3 NM away
- Hakapaa Lobe Anchorage (Controleur Bay)3 NM away
- Hakapuvai Shell Beach (Controleur Bay)3.1 NM away
- Nuku Hiva Melon-Headed Whale Encounters3.1 NM away