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Bora Bora — Tapu

Tapu is an intermediate dive site near Bora Bora offering coral gardens and reef fish between 12–25 meters.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
Depth
12–25 m
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At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Depth
12–25 m

Top operators here

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Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
© OpenStreetMap · CARTO
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
19.8 kn
Wave
2.7 m
Water
26.9°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: ESE (42%)
Now: SSE (165°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.2m

Next: High at 01:00 (+0.67m)

+0.7 m+0.5 m
▲ 01:00 · +0.67m ▼ 07:00 · +0.55m ▲ 12:00 · +0.64m ▼ 18:00 · +0.55m Now +0.6m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV7.8 · high Air PM2.511 · good 05:59 18:02
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 19.8 2.88 8 0mm
09-19 12.2 2.38 9 0mm
09-20 14.2 1.82 6 0mm
09-21 12.6 1.5 7 0mm
09-22 11.4 1.68 8 0mm
09-23 13.3 2.56 9 0mm
09-24 11.8 2.58 9 1mm

About this spot

Tapu sits in the warm lagoon waters around Bora Bora, French Polynesia, delivering solid intermediate-level diving for visitors seeking reef exploration without extreme technical demands. The site spans depths of 12 to 25 meters, making it accessible to divers with some experience and basic open-water training. You'll navigate coral formations and encounter reef fish in their natural habitat. The reef structure here supports typical tropical marine life. Coral gardens form the backbone of the dive, with schools of smaller reef residents moving through crevices and around the hard substrate. The relatively shallow maximum depth means you can spend longer bottom time and observe details without rushing decompression calculations. Access and logistics depend on local boat operators based in Bora Bora. The site is outside any marine protected area, so standard French Polynesian diving regulations apply. Three community-contributed videos document the site, offering previews of what to expect on the bottom. Bora Bora's year-round tropical climate keeps water temperatures stable, though exact seasonal variation data isn't documented here. Plan your trip based on personal comfort and local weather windows.

Dive types

ReefBoat

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/E · 220V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 15369km · ~3535kg · €64

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 77/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 16h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 5h east · 4 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Tapu?

Bora Bora offers diving year-round thanks to stable tropical conditions. Local weather patterns and sea state vary seasonally, so check current conditions with dive operators in advance.

What depth and difficulty level is Tapu?

Tapu runs 12–25 meters and is rated intermediate. Divers should have basic open-water certification and experience with reef navigation before attempting this site.

What marine life will I see?

Expect reef fish schools, coral formations, and typical tropical lagoon fauna. Exact species lists vary by season and observation date. Community videos offer visual reference.

How do I access Tapu and what permits do I need?

Access is via local dive boat operators in Bora Bora. French Polynesia requires standard diving permits and adherence to local regulations. Tapu lies outside protected areas, so standard rules apply.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Eleuthera Bora Diving Center

7.6 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mon-Sun (7am to 7pm)

TopDive

3.6 km
Dive centre

Snorkeling raie manta

4.8 km
Dive centre

Dive ´n smile

7.1 km
Dive centre

Verified marine species observations

2 records · 1 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Tridacna maxima

Bivalvia · Cardiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
30 Apr 2026
×2records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Dive Video Bora Bora, 06 04 23 Dive #3 Tapu

Ronald White

French Polynesia Diving in Bora Bora and Rangiroa June 2013

Fabio Volpe

Scuba Diving Bora Bora, French Polynesia (4K)

The Worldly Wanderer

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