At Paul Gauguin Cruises, your safety is our top priority. We are proud to offer world-class diving in some of the most pristine and remote waters on Earth.

While most sites are suitable for beginners and intermediate divers, certain advanced sites—especially in the Tuamotus and Marquesas Islands—feature strong currents, deeper profiles, or remote conditions and are recommended only for experienced, certified divers.

Please review the following policies and requirements before booking a dive or course.*

Required Forms & Booking

All dives must be booked onboard at the Dive Desk, located on Deck 5 & all divers must complete and submit to the Marina Supervisor the appropriate forms prior to participation:

Health & Medical Requirements

All guests who wish to SCUBA dive must present a valid medical clearance—less than one year old—stating that they are fit to dive. This clearance is mandatory and must be issued by a licensed physician. The ship’s onboard doctor cannot issue diving medical certificates.

Without this certificate, guests will not be able to dive. Divers of all experience levels must meet with one of our dive instructors and complete a liability disclaimer form. All doctors' certificates must be official with letterhead, stamps or registration numbers.

The marina team reserves the right to deny diving participation based on physical readiness, fitness, or safety concerns.

Age Restrictions

• The minimum age for SCUBA diving is 10 years old.
• Guests under 15 will be certified as Junior Open Water Divers, and may face depth and supervision limitations.

Experience Requirements

Recent Diving Activity: If you haven’t dived in over 12 months, a refresher course is required.

Experience Requirements for Advanced Sites:

Tuamotus (Fakarava, Rangiroa)

• Minimum: Advanced Open Water Certification or Deep Diver Specialty
• Recommended: 50+ logged dives
•  Check dive required prior diving into passes
• Divers must demonstrate:
  • Good buoyancy control
  • Steady breathing
  • Efficient finning technique
  • Physical readiness

Marquesas Islands

• Dives begin at 60 feet or deeper
• Advanced Open Water or Deep Diver Specialty certification recommended to access more dive sites
• Not suitable for beginners

Diver/Instructor Ratios

• Standard maximum: 5 divers per instructor
• Intro Dive: 2 max divers per instructor
• Max divers per boat: 10

Maximum Depth & Certifications

• Dives aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin do not exceed 90 feet (30 meters).
• The maximum depth you will be able to dive will be set by your actual certification. Even with a deeper diving experience, we will respect the limits set by your certification.

Nitrox Diving Policy

Divers wishing to use Enriched Air Nitrox must:

• Hold a valid Nitrox certification
• Or complete the Nitrox course onboard ($120, subject to change)

Weather & Conditions

• Diving may proceed in light rain, but may be canceled due to:
  • High winds
  • Rough seas or swell
  • Limited visibility
  • Dangerous currents

Dive operations are tide- and weather-dependent, especially in drift dives or at remote atolls. Paul Gauguin Cruises reserves the right to modify or cancel dive operations for safety reason.

Currents in the Tuamotus

• Currents in underwater passes can be extremely strong.
• Dives in these areas must take place during specific time depending on the tide, and due to the ship’s schedule, pass dives in Rangiroa and Fakarava may not always be possible

Important Notes

• Diving in French Polynesia involves unique environmental and logistical considerations. Safety and experience are essential.
• All certifications, courses, and dive excursions are subject to availability.
• Dive availability may be limited in remote areas and weather-dependent locations.

*Diving policies and requirements updated as of February 2026