French Polynesia is known for its beautiful beaches and tropical landscape, but there is also a piece of paradise waiting beneath the clear waters of the islands.
When I put on my snorkel gear, I had no idea I was about to enter an entirely different world filled with coral forests and white sand.
Coral. Watch out, it bites!
Photo by: c.b.w. 2001
Of course, I learned the hard way that coral “bites.” For about five years, I had a scar on my foot to remind me to watch where I’m going. One small touch is enough to open up quite a gash!
Aside from coral, there is an abundance of wildlife lurking in the lagoons. Fish of all colors, shapes, and sizes happily swim by and give a great show!
A school fish swim a maze of coral
Photo by: c.b.w. 2001
One fish, two fish, yellow fish, zebra fish . . .
Photo by: c.b.w. 2001
Among the fish are stingrays and sharks. Yes, I really did swim alongside sharks! They are such graceful creatures and so misunderstood. They deserve our respect rather than our fear.
Swimming with the rays!
Photo by: c.b.w. 2001
The sharks are here, but never fear!
Photo by: c.b.w. 2001
While the vivid color of blue and the wonder of wildlife make the journey underwater worthwhile, my favorite part of this adventure was the experience of absolute silence. The waters of the lagoon are often still and it’s easy to find a spot away from other divers, leaving nothing but the sound of stillness.
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Part of the A to Z Challenge!
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c.b.w. 2013
C.B. Wentworth 
This is such a beautiful adventure you describe. I think i want to do this sometime, but i am positive I could not get my wife to indulge. She fears the water and cannot swim.
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Perhaps one day those fears will abate. 🙂
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Gorgeous! One of my bucket list items is to get my diving certification and go somewhere exotic to experience this. If nothing else, the big aquarium at the Mall of America has opportunities to dive in their shark tank, which I think sounds awesome! Someday…
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All I needed for these shots was thankfully a snorkel. I don’t know that I could go much deeper for a full dive – I’m actually terrified of drowning!
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These photographs are absolutely stunning!
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Thank you – it’s amazing what a disposable underwater camera can do! 🙂
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Wow…so pretty. Something I would like to experience someday
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It’s gorgeous! This adventure is definitely among my favorite memories. 🙂
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Gorgeous pictures – and a clever U! I love snorkeling and would love to be there.
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I was worried about “U,” so I’m thrilled my hard drive had these images hiding in a folder! Prior to the challenge, it had been a while since I revisited Polynesia:-)
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Beautiful underwater pictures. I don’t think I could stop worring about sharks. You’re a braver man than me, Gunga Ding. 🙂
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It takes more than a few sharks to scare this girl! 😉
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I have an absolute terror of sharks, real visceral panic, so I wish them well but am glad I’m well inland. On the other hand, crystal clear water beautiful fish – your photos are gorgeous.
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I have that kind of fear for snakes. I don’t know why, but they frighten me to the core. I’ll swim with sharks any day, but I won’t get anywhere near a snake!
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Absolutely gorgeous. I would love to hear that type of stillness. There’s always something humming or creaking.
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Exactly! Underwater, not even the waves make a sound! 🙂
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Refreshing,crystal clear water, beautiful photos! I use to scuba dive in my younger days but the water was never that clear. And the night before I always had a nervous dream about sharks.
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I’ve gone snorkeling in lakes and the east coast, but the water was always cloudy. I didn’t even know water could be so clear until I went to Polynesia. 🙂
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You have such beautiful underwater photos! I felt like I was swimming along side you. Gorgeous!!!?
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Thanks! 🙂 The water was so warm, too. It always felt like a perfectly tempered hot tub.
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I love snorkeling and most of the species sharks I have seen in the Keys don’t bother anyone.
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They do tend to keep to themselves! Now if it was a great white, I might feel a little differently, but those black tip and lemon sharks don’t seem to mind a little human company. 🙂
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It looks amazing! I did do a full dive off the barrier reef. It’s pretty great you got such good shots just with a snorkel.
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Ooo, I’d love to see the barrier reef one day! The wildlife is just incredible and so are the colors. 🙂
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These are great photos and blend beautifully with your website. I’ve always wanted to scuba dive.
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Thanks! I love how the colors all came together for this post! 🙂
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I’m obsessed with these pictures!!!!!! So cool!!!!
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Thanks! 🙂
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Incredible pictures! Swimming with those schools of fish and sharks looks so cool!
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Thanks! It was an amazing experience! 🙂
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Wow! I love ocean life and would like to hang out underwater like this. What a thrilling experience for you. Stunning photos!
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Thanks! I still can’t believe how pretty the pictures turn out. I was so busy trying to swim, it was hard to aim the camera! 🙂
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C.B., I love underwater life, but am not a swimmer so therefore not a snorkeler. However, I do love the excellent photos you’ve shared here and I love watching anything I can regarding the underwater world. We’re fortunate here in OR to have a good coastal aquarium which affords the opportunity to walk underground between two large tanks filled with amazing creatures. It’s almost like being there. Great post — it’s been a great month sharing with you.
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It really is a beautiful world underwater. Whether in the water or in an aquarium, underwater life is a treasure of earth. 🙂
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