Tahiti island dives guide
Papeete gunboat wreck with coral growth and lagoon sharks.
Papeete gunboat wreck with coral growth and lagoon sharks.
Save it, log a dive, or explore nearby on the map.
Save it to come back later
Boat access and port traffic make a local operator the safest default.
La Zélée, Tahiti is a broken French gunboat wreck near the port of Papeete, scattered in several sections rather than standing as one intact hull. It was launched in the late nineteenth century and lost during the Battle of Papeete; today coral growth has reclaimed much of the structure, and the wreck draws lagoon fish, resting sharks, and other marine life in a port-side setting that rewards controlled boat access and a tidy route plan.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
5m - 30m
Depth Note
The wreck is scattered in sections from shallow pieces to deeper coral-covered features around 25 to 27 m.
Typical Conditions
Scattered wreck pieces near the port, with coral growth on the structure and a controlled boat pattern around the harbor setting.
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Safety Notes
Located near a port area; take care with potential boat traffic.
Access Restrictions
Use a boat and stay mindful of port traffic; this is not a casual shore entry.
Legal Notes
Treat the Papeete port area as active harbor water and follow local access guidance.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Wreck dive on scattered gunboat remains with notable features around 25–27 m.
Freediving
Only for very experienced freedivers on calm, controlled days; the wreck is primarily a scuba boat dive.
Snorkeling
Not a strong snorkel target because the meaningful wreck structure is deeper and the port setting adds traffic risk.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Tahiti island dives guide
Wreck guide
Tahiti diving travel guide
TopDive Tahiti dive center site listing
Dive shop listing with La Zélée species notes
Know this site? Improve Spot Details.

Lagoon wreck dive with a seaplane and schooner.

Shark drift dive on the Tahiti airport channel.

Outer-reef grotto dive on Tahiti's Arue side.

Tahi Nui: Tahiti wreck drift near White Valley

La Faille Pomare is a drift wall with strong fish life on Tahiti's east coast.

Tahiti wall dive with a coral plateau and cave feature.