Tahiti has captivated sailors since the days of Captain Cook with its emerald massifs, sparkling lagoons, and welcoming islanders. The water is impossibly clear, refracting off white sand in shimmering shades of jade, aquamarine, and turquoise. And while the islands themselves are impossibly beautiful, there’s a whole other world to explore beyond shore.

Drift snorkel along coral reefs teeming with rainbow-colored angelfish, butterfly fish, parrotfish, clown fish, and an occasional manta ray or sea turtle. Then venture to the remote and less-visited Tuamotus where the real show begins. These low-lying atolls save their drama for the world below, where canyons, passes, and valleys offer a fertile wonderland for marine residents.
 
Well-ventilated lagoons offer exceptional visibility, and the blender effect ensures that reef residents eat well. The Tuamotus are one of the best places in the world to see reef sharks, grey sharks, sturgeons, lemon sharks, white tip sharks, perch, barracudas, tunas, manta rays, and dolphins. And in certain months, eagle rays and hammerheads. In fact, Fakarava’s reef is such a unique ecosystem it’s been named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. And with glass-bottom boats, AquaSafaris, snorkeling and SCUBA excursions, you can explore this magical world even if you don’t want to get wet.