French Polynesia, a sweeping cluster of archipelagoes tossed into the Pacific Ocean like a handful of pearls, is the dream of millions of tourists and thousands of divers. The clearness of its waters, the richness of its sea-beds, and the diversity of its sea flora and fauna make it an underwater paradise. Coral or volcanic atolls, the 115 islands that make up French Polynesia, take up an area of 1,900 by 1,500 miles between the equator and the tropic of Capricorn, 2,500 miles to the east of Australia. With detailed, three-dimensional drawings and spectacular photographs, the volume describes the most fascinating dives in this archipelago at the world's end. Divers will find information on the characteristics and topography of the region, on its flora and fauna, on the organization of the dives themselves, on safety precautions, as well as much other highly useful information. The book also contains a section dedicated to the protection of the underwater world. With intricate drawings and tables, the appendix explores the main species that live in the archipelago, making it easy to identify the inhabitants of the reefs.