Dive· Tahiti· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Papa Whisky Amphitheatre (Faa'a outer reef)
17° 34.2′ S · 149° 37.8′ W
A horseshoe-shaped collapse of the outer reef in front of the 'Papa Whisky' aviation beacon at the end of the Faa'a runway, with giant trevally, tuna, blacktips and yellow gorgonians on the deep walls.
Practical
Coordinates are Eleuthera's 'Papa Whisky' site. Diving in Tahiti (1990s) gives the depth as 40–50 m+ and rates it difficult: anchor at the cliff edge in 6–8 m, 2 nm north of Taapuna Pass and 4 nm south of Papeete Pass. The current is frequent and can be strong, usually from the south along the reef, so swim into it first; skip it when south-south-east swell exceeds 1 m or in a strong maraamu. Visibility is often excellent. For experienced divers with an operator.
Best for
Deep wall with pelagics
Nearby
- Aquarium Coral Garden & Cessna Wreck (Faa'a lagoon)0.4 NM away
- InterContinental Tahiti Lagoonarium (Faa'a)0.6 NM away
- Parc Vairai, Punaauia (former anchorage, now prohibited)0.7 NM away
- Marina Taina Mooring Field & Anchorage (Zones P0 / P1)0.9 NM away
- L'Atlantide & Les Éboulis (Taina lagoon)1 NM away
- Diesel-Clinic (Beta Marine dealer, Punaauia)1.2 NM away
- Fenua Rigging (Marina Taina)1.2 NM away
- Laundry at Marina Taina1.2 NM away