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Surrounded by a lagoon, only 2km from Tahiti airport, the InterContinental is one of the island’s most famous resorts. There, you can snorkel around the overwater bungalows, on a small nearby coral reef, but also in the “lagoonarium”, an artificial lagoon where many colorful fish swim around branching coral.

Tropical fish at InterContinental Resort Tahiti
The lagoonarium outings are loaded with colorful tropical fish.

How to go snorkeling at InterContinental’s lagoonarium and reef

The InterContinental Resort Tahiti is located in Faa’a, just south of the international airport runways. From Papeete city center, allow around ten minutes by car (a few minutes from Tahiti Faa’a terminal) to reach the hotel.

InterContinental Resort Tahiti snorkeling map

Water entrance for snorkeling around the InterContinental Tahiti

There is no natural beach in the resort, but you can get in the water from the shore or from the overwater bungalows.

InterContinental Tahiti snorkeling exploration tips

3 distinct areas can be snorkeled at InterContinental (see map above):

1/ Around and below the motu’s water bungalows (↕3-6ft/1-2m). A great diversity of tropical fish is found here, such as parrotfish, bannerfish, tang and triggerfish. The two small outings of the Lagoonarium (where the artificial lagoon communicates with the ocean, see map) are loaded with fish.

2/ The small coral reef which extends about 50m off the water bungalows.

It is a pleasant area to discover the Polynesian reef life, even if the corals are damaged in places. Stay on the inner reef, as many boats use the pass to enter Punaauia Marina.

Orangeband surgeonfish at InterContinental Resort Tahiti
The orange band surgeonfish is one of the many fish species you may spot at InterContinental Resort Tahiti.

3/ The Lagoonarium, the name given to the artificial lagoon that stretches between the motu and the hotel’s main swimming pool.

This very shallow and very calm area (↕3-4ft/1-1.5m) is a kind of open-air aquarium, where coral cutting projects are carried out. The water is less clear than on the ocean side, but you can still see many fish, fed by the hotel several times a day.

Be careful not to confuse the InterContinental Lagoonarium with Moorea’s Lagoonarium.

Branching coral and damselfish at InterContinental Resort Tahiti
A whitetail dascyllus swimming above branching coral in the lagoonarium.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

The InterContinental Resort has several bars and restaurants, also open to non-guests.

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth6ft/2m in the lagoonarium and around the water bungalows
  • Water entranceFrom rocks or ladders
  • Visitor numbersMedium
  • Access costsStay at the resort
  • Restaurants nearbyYes
  • Public toilets & showersYes

MAP Spot

These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.