Snorkel· Taha'a· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Taha'a Coral Garden (Motu Tautau drift snorkel)
16° 36.3′ S · 151° 33.9′ W
The Leewards' most famous snorkel: a shallow, current-fed channel between Motu Tautau and Motu Maharare on Taha'a's west reef. You drift through coral heads full of reef fish, anemones, octopus and rays, with Bora Bora on the horizon.
Practical
Coordinates from Tahiti Tourisme's listing. The decree (art. 12) makes the Jardin de Corail a no-navigation zone for all motorised craft: only swimming and snorkeling are allowed inside the polygon TAUTAU-1 to 4 (around 151°33.9'–151°34.05'W, 16°36.16'–16°36.32'S). How to do it (2025 brief): leave the dinghy on the beach of the small motu Maharare, walk almost to the end of the motu, jump into the hoa above the coral garden and let the current carry you back to the dinghy. No fins (wear booties) and no sunscreen; tow a buoy or flag. Boats can no longer anchor off the motus: use ZMR de Tapuamu or Vaiorea and come by dinghy (about 2.3 km, measured between the decree coordinates). Go early or late to avoid the excursion boats from Raiatea and Bora Bora.
Best for
Drift snorkeling
Season
Year-round; strongest flow in big trade-wind swell
Itineraries that stop here
Nearby
- Motu Tautau / Le Taha'a Resort0.2 NM away
- Taha'a Sunset over Bora Bora (west reef motus)0.2 NM away
- Taha'a Large-Yacht Zones (Toapuhi, Paipai, Tapuamu Lagoon, Patio Lagoon, Mahaea)1.2 NM away
- ZMR de Vaiorea (Taha'a)1.2 NM away
- ZMR de Tapuamu (Taha'a)1.3 NM away
- Domaine Pari Pari Rum Distillery1.4 NM away
- Love Here & Ia Orana Pearl Farms (West Coast)1.4 NM away
- Rhumerie Mana'o (Tapuamu)1.4 NM away