Water Sports

Watersports Marina Watersports are a highlight of the Polynesian experience. The ship's small size allows it to navigate in shallow lagoons and narrow channels where larger ships may not sail. With the specially designed retractable watersports platform, guests may descend to sea level where they can conveniently hop aboard a windsurfer, launch a kayak, try a little waterskiing or set out for a SCUBA diving expedition. Even if you've never been diving, you can take advantage of our onboard scuba lessons. The m/s Paul Gauguin is the only luxury ship in French Polynesia to offer PADI certification onboard for novice divers as well as classes at all levels, from snorkeling to advanced scuba diving techniques, supervised by our own staff of PADI dive masters. For the convenience of our guests, all necessary equipment, including an air compressor to refill scuba tanks, is onboard.

Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program was created by explorer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau. It is a unique groundbreaking program that introduces young travelers to the natural wonders of French Polynesia. The program aims to give young participants aged 9 to 17 direct, hands-on, interactive experience with knowledge of marine and island ecosystems. Founded in 1999 by Jean-Michel Cousteau, environmental advocate and son of the legendary Jacques Cousteau, the mission of the Ocean Futures Society is to explore our global oceans, documenting the critical connection between humanity and nature, and celebrating the ocean’s vital importance to the survival of all life.

Diving and Snorkling Diving in French Polynesia is colorful, varied, and among the best anywhere. You'll encounter a myriad of colorful reef fish, moray eels, turtles, even manta rays and sharks. The translucent waters are warm (generally 80 degrees and above year-round) and clear (visibility to over 150 feet) and full of colorful, exciting marine life... no matter which island you choose. Moorea specializes in hand-feeding sharks and dives with rays and dolphins, along with a myriad of reef fish and low-growing corals. Bora Bora attracts beautiful, graceful manta rays in its plankton-rich multi-hued lagoon. Raiatea offer more brilliant displays of coral along with colorful reef fish.