French Polynesia
Best overall months to dive: May–Oct
French Polynesia spreads across five archipelagos in the South Pacific, with the diving centred on the Tuamotu atolls east of Tahiti. The draw is pass diving: tidal channels cut through the atoll rim where sharks, groupers and pelagics concentrate in strong drift. Fakarava is the standout for shark density and the June-July grouper spawn, but Rangiroa (Tiputa pass, dolphins) and Tikehau (manta rays) sit on the same Air Tahiti circuit. Everything routes through Papeete on Tahiti, and the country is one of the more expensive dive regions to reach and stay in.