PRINCIPAL DIVING SPOTS IN NUKU HIVA
With
more than one hundred kilometers of basalt coast line
beaten by the by the pacific ocean, Nuku Hiva is a
privileged land for under water exploration, a large
number of caves teeming with spectacular fauna. And of
course the hammerhead sharks have not been forgotten. The
Marquesas Diving Center organise daily outing more than
ten dives sites, of which the most remarkable are:
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1) HAMMER HEAD GUARD ROCK:
It is always impressive to come across, in the deep,
manta an rays and a wide diversity of marine life. More
surprising still, and very rare, to spot hammerhead
sharks with such regularity. This is virtually guaranteed
to happen between the surface to 90 ft. According to
statistics compiled by the Marquesas Diving Center,
divers have a 70% chance of spotting hammerhead during
their dive. Usually the sharks pass by at a depth of less
than 15m, which provide a unique opportunity for novice
divers to approach them in shallow waters. The sharks are
often curious and will come close to divers. The
visibility amounts to 20m on average, but can be reduced
to 5m at low tide when the current, flowing out of the
bay, carries particles. In this case, your chances of
glimpsing the hammerheads dwindle dramatically. If sharks
are not in the area or if the visibility is minimal,
focus on the wall. Its caverns form a good habitat for
moray eels and scorpion fish, and shells are plentiful,
including the Gauguini, a rare species endemic to the
Marquesas that is ideal for macro photography. Ten
minutes by boat ride. Expertise rating: Intermediate.
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2) TIKAPO ROCK:
This site boasts a spectacular topography. Rising from
the depths, a rocky peak brush the surface. Found at the
exit of Taipivaï valley (where Herman Melville stayed,
and hence wrote his book Taipee), domited by the cliff
approximately 400m faced off Cap Martin, where hundreds
off birds nest. Tikapo a perfect place for spotting a
dense population of both pelagic and reef species.
Photographers will enjoy this site, particulary for
shooting pelagics, as the current is too tricky to master
close-ups of smaller fish. Going around the peak, you
will come upon impressive schools of trevellies, unicorn
fish and barracuda sweeping around in search of easy
pickings. There are large numbers of jacks, abundant
groups of eagle rays and, parrotfish, triggerfish,
butterfly fish, puffer fish, soldier fish, and hunting
packs of dogteeth tuna, together with scorpion fish
around the crevices. White tip reef sharks are also
common here. Invertebrates are relatively limited, except
for porcelain crabs, urchins and encrusting sponges that
form delicate orange patches. Site exposed to the swell
and sea wind. Half an hour by boat ride. Expertise
rating: Intermediate.
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3) THE PYGMY ORCAS
This site is one of the most stunning in all of French
Polynesia. Please note that good weather conditions are
essential, as this side of the island is exposed to the
prevailing winds and the swell. If the sea is choppy,
it's not accessible. The prominent and unique feature of
the dive is the incredible concentration of melon-headed
whales (peponocephala electra) that congregate in the
area every morning. It's hard to count them, but
according to some estimates, there can be as many as 400.
They usually gather and stay at the surface, with their
noses emerging, vertical or horizontal, sometimes
playing, some times motionless. Snorkelling is the best
way to approach them. You can hear their distinct,
piercing sounds, and you will easily notice their white
lips, which are thought to be phosphorescent at night to
lure the squid they feed on. The site itself is quite
impressive, since it is anywhere between 300m and 1km off
the coast, in a blue sea. Occasionally, one can also see
yellofin tuna and sail fish cruising through this area.
About 40 minutes by boat ride. Expertise rating: Novice.
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4) EKAMAKO CAVE
This site offers an unforgettable cave diving experience
and provides a unique opportunity to approach stingrays
.It centers on a large, open-fronted cavern deeply
undercutting the basaltic cliff at 10m. A flashlight is
indispensable for exploring the cavern. Upon entering,
you will cross a vast chamber that continues on the right
until a freshwater resurgence; on the left, it slopes up
smoothly to a large air pocket. The sandy bottoms of both
sections are literally carpeted by stingrays, the star
attraction of the dive. The numerous crevices and
fissures in the left section of cave are home to huge
lobsters and sleeping lobsters. Given the shallow depth,
you will have plenty time to explore all the nooks and
crannies of the cave. 15 minutes by boat ride. Expertise
rating: Intermediate.
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5) MOTUMANO POINT
This strategic location exposed to open sea current, acts
as magnet for pelagic. Numerous sharks, in particular
hammerheads and white tip reef sharks, have made this
area their hunting ground. And if you want to approach
manta rays, this is a site not to be missed .Be on the
lookout for schools of snappers, barracuda, trevallies
and the star attractions of the dive, manta rays and
hammerheads. White tip reef sharks tend to gather around
the extremity of the tip, an area subject to a surge and
strong currents. 30 minutes by boat ride.Expertise
rating: Novice.
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6) MATATETEIKO
At the western side of the island, this site is the
farthest from Taiohae. It features is a rocky platform
visible from the surface at the bottom of the cliff that
continues underwater for about 100m toward the open sea.
Entry place in a sheltered inlet next to the emerging
platform. The descent is gradual until 30m.It is bordered
by walls and peppered with small canyons and caverns.
This point is an ideal location for admiring schools of
prowling predators: barracuda, treallies, tuna and white
tip sharks. Expect a challenging current that usually
sweeps over the area, but also expect the most prolific
underwater life drifting with the turbulence. Take the
time to explore the small canyons and scattered boulders,
as they harbour soldier fish, octopuses, lobsters and
snapers. Look around and above you so as not miss the
manta rays and hammerheads that often pass by in the
shallow waters near the cliff. 40 minutes by boat ride.
Expertise rating: Intermediate.
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7) DULCINEA
Dulcinea consists of a rocky seamount brushing the
surface in a protected bay. It features an interesting
underwater topography that is divided into two connected
tunnels shaped like an inverted V. The site is typically
profuse with snapers, urchins, shells, lobsters and other
crustaceans, together with curtains of soldier fish that
provide a magnificent backdrop for photographer near the
exit. Novice divers wishing to experience cave diving
will appreciate this site because the conditions are
optimal. Though a flashlight is recommended, you never
loose sight of natural light. 15 minutes by boat ride.
Expert rating: Novice.
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