[ad_1] The opportunity to experience the South Seas in the most authentic, in-depth and meaningful way is the very essence of Paul Gauguin Cruises. French Polynesia’s translucent, turquoise lagoons are begging to be explored, and SCUBA diving programs and excursions reveal its colorful, tropical marine life. Paul Gauguin Cruises offers optional diving excursions led by
The opportunity to experience the South Seas in the most authentic, in-depth and meaningful way is the very essence of Paul Gauguin Cruises. French Polynesia’s translucent, turquoise lagoons are begging to be explored, and SCUBA diving programs and excursions reveal its colorful, tropical marine life.
Paul Gauguin Cruises offers optional diving excursions led by its expert dive team. PADI certification is available on board the 332-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, and dives are guided by a professional PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Dive Master/Instructor.
For those who have never dived before, an onboard Discover SCUBA Diving class is offered for earning credit toward PADI certification. There are also refresher courses available for experienced divers.
The Gauguin is fully equipped, including a watersports marina, an onboard practice pool, a tank-filling station and two inflatable dive boats with ladders. Each dive boat holds eight divers and two instructors. SCUBA gear is set up for each diver by the dive staff. Divers depart from the watersports marina of the ship for their dive excursions and return to it after dives.
A variety of dive excursions are offered. On dives in the lagoons of Bora Bora and Moorea, lemon sharks, blacktip reef sharks, manta rays and sea turtles can be seen.
PHOTO: Diving in Bora Bora. (photo via Paul Gauguin Cruises)
In Rangiroa and Fakarava in the Tuamotus, hammerhead sharks, manta rays, dolphins, turtles, eagle rays, barracuda and other fascinating fish species are often spotted among coral reefs and canyon passes–including Fakarava’s reef, a UNESCO-Classified Nature Reserve.
In the Cook Islands, divers come across impressively large hawksbill turtles, white tip reef sharks gliding over the sea floor, friendly emperor angelfish and occasional eagle rays.
The Marquesas Islands are among the best diving spots in the world. The steep cliffs and caves off Nuka Hiva reveal a variety of unusual marine life, including hammerhead sharks, manta rays and moray eels.
The waters off the island of Tahuata feature an underwater wilderness of grey sharks, rays and schools of juvenile fish dancing among predators such as giant trevally or tuna. And, one of the only ways to SCUBA dive in the Marquesas is with Paul Gauguin Cruises.
Those who wish to participate in The Gauguin’s dive program will need to bring either proof of certification or a logbook or take a diving course. As a licensed PADI Resort, The Gauguin recognizes divers from all international certifying agencies.
For more information about Paul Gauguin Cruises’ SCUBA diving programs, click here.
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