Easy Diving in Societies & Tuamotus

[hydroknot]

Ia orana!

Where will we find easy, but good quality, diving in the Societies & Tuamotus? My wife & I are planning a 14-day trip to French Polynesia this coming July ... after the eclipse. We are recreational divers with PADI Open Water & Nitrox certs. Last dives were in Roatan in July 2009. We want to split the time between two atolls. I'm leaning towards Bora Bora as the 2nd atoll before heading home because we can stay in comfy accommodations ... maybe an overwater bungalow. Don't mind roughing it at the first atoll, though. Please include lodging recommendations, too. Thanks.

 

[deepstops]

Pearl Beach Resort and Blue Nui Dive Center are a good combination in Bora Bora.

Be aware the Crown of Thorns starfish has had a significantly negative impact on the coral but there are still plenty of big animals to see

 

[Mossman]

Bora Bora isn't an atoll, it's a volcanic island surrounded by a barrier reef and lagoon and little islets (motus). The main difference is that atolls have far less land in their lagoons. If there's a mountain, it's not an atoll.

Also, you can stay in comfy accommodations in Rangiroa or Fakarava if you wish. The Kia Ora on Rangi and the Mai Tai Dream on Fakarava are very nice. However, strictly "easy" diving may be limited to beginner dives inside the lagoon. Currents can be strong outside the reef (where the diving is best) and extremely strong as you "fly the pass" with the incoming tide change.

If you want more easy diving, Moorea is nice, and also offers a bit more to do on land than the Tuamotus.