PLONGÉE SOUS-MARINE

The only dive centre that existed on the island closed a few years ago. However, Xavier (alias "Pipapo"), its former manager, still offers outings for the autonomous divers (level 2 minimum). It rents boat and equipment, selects the spot suitable for divers and weather, accompanies and briefe you, but there is no framing.

Without a lagoon, Nuku-Hiva dives are more dependent on weather hazards than in other archipelagos.

With a plankton load, water is easily disturbed by the swell of the swell, which reduces visibility to 10 m at 20 m. The Marquesas are so vast and unexplored that most fish have never seen a diver's bubbles.

However, more than a dozen exceptional sites are identified, accessible to all, including caves, reserved for the most experienced, but even more haunting. Divers who were disappointed by the absence of coral formations would easily absorb the fauna density and exceptional size of dolphins, hammers sharks, pastenagues lines, leopards lines, Manta lines, lobster, sea urchins…

Sentinel to the Hammers. The most popular dive is that of the Eastern Sentinel, at the entrance to Taiohae Bay. Also known as the Hammers'Warrior, there are many festoons sharks (mainly from June to November), but also Manta lines, morays, etc.

Ekamako Cave. Meaning big shark, close to Eastern Sentinel. In fact, there will be few sharks, the name of the cave coming from a legend. According to her, she was reportedly inhabited by a large children's eater. No reason to be afraid, we will see above all pastenagues, impressive, but harmless lines… if we leave them quiet! You will also notice a lot of lobster along the 100 m of the cave. The entrance is located at less than 15 m, in the total black, this dive is reserved for the divers confirmed. Basically there is a resurgence of fresh water and a pocket of pressurized air. Nicolas Hulot filmed a sequence here for his show Ushuaia.

Pointe Point. Near Hakaui on the extreme southwest of the island, Motumano Point is the lair of many Manta lines and white-tip sharks. Likewise, for Matateiko point.

. High bottom carved in a sheltered bay, consisting of two tunnels in shape of V backwards. There are perch, sea urchins, shells, lobster and other crustaceans, as well as a famous colony of soldiers who, placed at the exit, appear to be the sentinels of this magical world. Ideal conditions for beginners, who can safely wear a dive in a cave.

Rocher Rock. The richest site in Nuku-Hiva. At the exit of Taipivai Bay, dominated by the cliffs of Cape Martin, where hundreds of frigates nest. Site exposed to the swell and wind of the broad, half an hour from Taiohae. Impressive and spectacular wildlife: sharks, lines, tuna, barracuda, diodons, scorpions, jackfish of all kinds and in large numbers. Very diverse rock fauna also: piton évoquant with stairs at less than 25 m. Attention, the current can be strong, better know how to dive well.

Pygmy killer whales. At the sea, along the east coast of Nuku-Hiva, minutes from Taiohae, a dolphin rally of Electre (pénocéphales) - close to the Pygmy killer whale - can be observed all year, but only by calm sea. Dolphins, very many (sometimes more than 400), can easily be observed by apnée or diving. The most exciting dive when conditions are met (dominant wind, strong swell). Note: they can also be approached with a simple mask and a snorkeling. Better season: from November to April.