Dive· Moorea· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Taotoi Reef & Pass Dive (Tiahura)
17° 28.9′ S · 149° 53.4′ W · approximate
An outer-reef wall, coral grotto and sand slope just east of Taotoi Pass off Tiahura, with garden eels on the sand and, when the pass is diveable, spotted eagle rays and nurse sharks in the cut. A Napoleon wrasse, giant morays and big triggerfish are regulars.
Practical
Position from a February 2004 cruiser log (17°28.9'S 149°53.4'W, chart-derived, ±300 m), 'just east of Taotoi Pass'. Reef site 15–25 m with a sand bed of garden eels (Scubapiti); 11–18 m in 2004. Taotoi pass itself is dived at about 15 m only when weather allows (Scubapiti), with spotted eagle rays, nurse sharks and sometimes grey reef sharks. The 2004 divers met 'a considerable current' and a rip at the pass, running west, plus surge. Moorea Blue Diving lists blacktips, a coral grotto, barracudas and Javanese morays. Closest operators: Scubapiti and Moorea Fun Dive at Hauru. Avoid in north swell, when the pass breaks. Feeding sharks and fish is prohibited (2026 brief). Under the 2025 anchoring decree divers may not use occupied ZMR moorings; dive with an operator or from a tended dinghy flying a dive flag.
Best for
Garden eels, eagle rays and a pass drift
Nearby
- Stingray & Shark Sandbank (Tiahura, Moorea)0.7 NM away
- Tiki Underwater Exhibition (Tihoti, Papetoai)0.7 NM away
- Papetoai Lagoon Anchorage (west of Tareu Pass)0.8 NM away
- Opunohu Pass Shipwreck Snorkel0.9 NM away
- Rays Corridor Lagoon Drift Dive0.9 NM away
- Scubapiti Moorea (dive centre, Hauru)1 NM away
- Papetoai Dock1.2 NM away
- Coco Beach (Motu Tiahura)1.3 NM away