Being so far from the main continents, land animal species are rather limited. Marine life however, is exceptionally rich and varied with over 800 species of lagoon and deep-sea tropical fish.

There are numerous species of marine life in local waters, from small butterfly fish with dazzling colours among attractive coral gardens to bigger fish such as napoleons (lump head wrasses), groupers, manta rays, reef sharks, tunas, large schools of jacks, snappers or barracudas. Along the reefs, one can also encounter dolphins and sea turtles. French Polynesia and the Cook Islands are among the few places in the world where all these fish can be approached easily