Marine Wildlife Species of Moorea

The rough-toothed dolphin is found off shore from Moorea, all year round. A medium sized dolphin, the rough-toothed is usually encountered on our Big Blue Discovery, often in groups of 5 to more than 20 individuals. We can often snorkel with the rough-toothed dolphins in the sea as they are often approachable and quite curious with the swimmers.

The Pilot Whales are usually encountered off shore and quite often in large groups of up to 50 individuals consisting of males, females and juveniles. The pilot whales are a large bodied dolphin and usually moving quite slowly. We can sometimes join them in the water for a snorkeling encounter like no other but only for advanced snorkelers due to the possible presence of pelagic sharks around the whale pod.

These rays are also commonly known as Leopard Rays. Usually seen in the channels of the lagoon, the reef passes and during our ‘underwater flying adventure’ the eagle ray is a large bodied ray of up to 1.5 meters. The feed on crustaceans they find while digging in the sandy bottom. Join us to fly with the eagle rays!

The Blacktip reef shark is another iconic species of the health and vitality of the lagoon in Moorea. These small sharks, measuring up to 1.7 meters, are small fish eaters and inhabit the lagoon and outer reef slope. We see them everywhere in the lagoon and especially at the stingray bank. Shy, inquisitive and beautiful!

Fishermen of French Polynesia know very well this species called “raira” which often shows curiosity to the divers. This territorial predator is, after the blacktip shark, the most common species in Moorea even if it is quite rare in the lagoon. With a size of two meters or more, it makes our Shark Swim really unique.

This pelagic shark has no natural predator and has no fear for all the species he meets in the open ocean. Swimming with the OWT is totally possible when some strict safety rules are respected. It becomes then a magical moment ! These sharks are sometimes met near dolphins or whales.

The Green sea turtle is one of the most common species of sea turtle encountered on our tours here in Moorea. The Green sea turtle is one of the largest species we encounter. Feeding on algae and sponge the Green sea turtle breeds here in Moorea, lays eggs on beaches of French Polynesia and is an iconic species of local conservation efforts.

The Hawksbill sea turtle is another species of marine turtle that is often encountered in the bays and outer reefs of Moorea. The Hawksbill is a medium sized sea turtle that feeds on sponge and algae on the reef. The Hawksbill breeds in Moorea and is a protected species.

Terns ‘ pale plumage is easily seen from a distance at sea, and attracts other birds to a good feeding area for this fish eating species. While terns feed on fish caught by diving from flight, noddies feed on fish and squid which they gather by flying low over the surface of the sea and picking them up. They can be a great assistant helping us to find the rough toothed dolphins in the open ocean.

Tropical Shearwaters, Tahitian Petrels or Tropical Tailed Birds are quite common encounters during our tours offshore. Each species has an unique behaviour very interesting to watch from our boat.