WatersportsThe sea around the South Pacific islands offers excellent scuba diving, visibility often reaches 40 meters (130 feet). There are plenty of diving clubs in Tahiti which are members of the French Diving Federation and which are open all year round. Equipment can be hired and charter boats can take divers to the best areas. Complete certification courses or resort courses are available. Further details are available from Tahiti Tourisme (see
Top Things To Do). Windsurfing and water-skiing are also well provided for. To supplement the numerous sandy beaches and clear lagoons,
there is an olympic-size swimming pool at boulevard Pomare, Papeete, as well as pools at many hotels. The largest yachting organization is the Yacht Club de Tahiti. Waters around the islands are ideal for small craft, and several clubs and hotels hire out craft. Fully-equipped deep-sea fishing boats are available for charter at Tahiti Actinautic. The Haura (Marlin) Club is a member of the International Game Fishing Association. Other holiday villages and hotels can arrange trips. Some of the most highly rated surfing is to be found at Avo Moía Pass and Teahupoo. Kite surfing is also available.
Spectator sportsFootball is popular throughout the islands and can be seen almost anywhere.
Fautaua Stadium near Papeete is a major venue on Sunday afternoons. Tahitian-style horse racing can be seen at the Hippodrome in Pirae. Races are held 12 to 15 times a year. Other scheduled spectator sports include archery, cycling and canoeing.
OtherClub Alpin in Arue provides information and assistance for climbing
Mount Aorai, with a shelter at 1798m (5900ft),
Mount Diademe and
Mount Orohena. Hourly and day-long horseriding tours can be arranged through Club Equestre de Tahiti and Center de Tourisme Equestre de Tahiti, both at the Hippodrome, Pirae, Tahiti. Tennis courts are available at Fautaua Tennis Club. Many of the islands' hotels have courts and some are available to non-residents. There is an 18-hole golf course at Atimaono. Mountain bikes and 4-wheel-drive vehicles can be hired to explore the interior. Paragliding is available.
Moorea and Bora Bora are famous for their shark and ray feeding demonstrations.
Humpback whale watching is possible between July and October in the waters of Rurutu.
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