The bottlenose dolphins of Tiputa
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) live in the Tiputa pass all year round. Depending on their mood, they come close to the group of divers and sometimes become playful: a unique moment. They keep their distance when calves are born in the pod, and remain wild animals, which we watch without touching or chasing them.
Sharks
Dozens, sometimes hundreds of grey reef sharks patrol the Tiputa pass; around June, they gather there for the breeding season. From November to March, sometimes April, it is great hammerhead season: it comes to hunt the spotted eagle rays at the bottom of the pass. With some luck, you may also meet the impressive tiger shark.
Manta rays and spotted eagle rays
Depending on the season, you may meet a solitary manta ray, or a squadron of spotted eagle rays gathered at the bottom of the Tiputa pass. They are the favourite prey of the great hammerhead shark.
When to come?
All year round: the water is between 26 and 29 °C, and the encounters change with the months.
- From November to March, sometimes April: the great hammerhead shark, and large squadrons of spotted eagle rays at the bottom of the pass.
- Around June: grey reef shark gatherings, during the breeding season.
- All year round: the bottlenose dolphins of the Tiputa pass.
A 3 mm shorty is enough; a 3 mm full wetsuit if you feel the cold.
Respecting the animals
We share our shark and ray sightings with the Observatory of Sharks and Rays of French Polynesia (ORP), and we dive in the spirit of the responsible diver charter of Longitude 181 Nature: we watch, we don't touch, we don't chase.
