Hydravion et Goelett

This dive site, Hydravion et Goelett, is a unique wreck experience in French Polynesia, featuring the remains of the Catalina PBY-5A seaplane named 'Orohena'. Gifted by the US Navy to the local airline (RAI, predecessor of Air Tahiti), this aircraft served the Polynesian islands in the 1950s before being declared unfit for navigation and scuttled. Divers can explore the recognizable fuselage and wings of the plane, which rests on a sandy bottom at a maximum depth of 19 meters, providing a captivating artificial reef. The wreckage and surrounding seafloor at Hydravion et Goelett host a surprisingly rich marine fauna and flora. Expect to encounter various reef fish like triggerfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish taking shelter in and around the plane's structure. Schools of smaller fish often congregate, and if lucky, divers might spot moray eels or smaller invertebrates such as nudibranchs. Corals and sponges have begun to colonize the metal, attracting a variety of life. The best time to visit this site aligns with French Polynesia's dry season (May to October) for optimal weather, though diving is excellent year-round. This site is a highlight for wreck enthusiasts and photographers looking for a unique subject. Its relatively shallow depth (max 19m, average 9m) makes it accessible for beginner divers and also highly suitable for freedivers interested in exploring the plane's exterior and its marine inhabitants on a single breath. Remember to respect the historical nature of the wreck and the marine environment.