Jordi Chias / Woman snorkeller swimming inside lagoon Toau atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean.

Jordi Chias / Juvenile Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) swimming near the surface, split level view, Fakarava atoll lagoon, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean.

Jordi Chias / Juvenile Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) swimming near the surface, split level view, Fakarava atoll lagoon, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean.

Jordi Chias / Juvenile green turtle (Chelonia mydas) reflected in the surface of the window with Snell's window affect, Fakarava atoll inside lagoon at sunset, Tuamotu archipelago, French Polynesia; Pacific Ocean

Pascal Kobeh / Female humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with its very young calf at the surface, Rurutu island, Australs Archipelago, French Polynesia. Pacific Ocean.

Brent Stephenson / Flying Fish (possibly Cheilopogon suttoni) skimming across sea surface. Between the Tuamotus and Marquesas, French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean, October.

Brent Stephenson / Sooty Tern (Onychoprion / Sterna fuscatus) seen from below in flight. Mauipihaa (Mopelia), French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / White / Fairy Tern (Gygis alba) in flight against a blue sky. Motu Omai, Rangiroa Atoll, Tuamotus, French Polynesia, November.

Tim Laman / Aerial view of tourist lodges on Bora Bora Island, Society Islands, French Polynesia. July 2006

Tim Laman / Aerial view of Bora Bora Island, Society Islands, French Polynesia. July 2006

Tim Laman / Aerial view of Bora Bora Island, Society Islands, French Polynesia. July 2006

Doug Perrine / Black tip reef sharks shoaling {Carcharhinus melanopterus} Moorea, French Polynesia (Non-ex).

Doug Perrine / Shoal of Longfin bannerfish {Heniochus acuminatus} Rangiroa Atoll, Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia, South Pacific Ocean (Non-ex).

Jordi Chias / Yellowfin goatfish (Mulloides vanicolensis) inside lagoon Toau Atoll, Tuamotu archipelago, French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean.

Alex Mustard / Seawhip gorgonian (Ctenocella / Ellisella sp) growing in a coral cavern. Ra Province, Viti Levu, Fiji, Polynesia, Pacific Ocean

Pascal Kobeh / Person exploring Varirepo cave near the village of Moerai on the east coast of the island, Rurutu Island, Australs Archipelago, French Polynesia

Pascal Kobeh / Toarutu cliff on the east coast of Rurutu Island, Australs Archipelago, French Polynesia

Pascal Kobeh / Toarutu cliff on the east coast of Rurutu Island, Australs Archipelago, French Polynesia

Jordi Chias / Grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) in the south pass of Fakarava Tuamotus, French Polynesia, South Pacific

Jordi Chias / Black tip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) patrolling the Fakarava atoll, Tuamotu archipelago, French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean

Pascal Kobeh / Sicklefin lemon shark (Negaprion acutidens) close up of head on coral reef, Moorea Island, Society Islands, French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean.

Pascal Kobeh / Sicklefin lemon shark (Negaprion acutidens) surrounded by fish on coral reef, Moorea Island, Society Islands, French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean.

Pascal Kobeh / Divers at the surface watching Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the water, Rurutu island, Australs Archipelago, French Polynesia. Pacific Ocean. August 2010.

Pascal Kobeh / Female Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with its very young calf at the surface, Rurutu island, Australs Archipelago, French Polynesia. Pacific Ocean.

Pascal Kobeh / Female Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with its very young calf at the surface, Rurutu island, Australs Archipelago, French Polynesia. Pacific Ocean.

Pascal Kobeh / Female Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with its very young calf at the surface, Rurutu island, Australs Archipelago, French Polynesia. Pacific Ocean.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Grey ternlet (Procelsterna cerulea) in flight over the sea whilst feeding. Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia. September.

Brent Stephenson / Freshly fledged juvenile White tern (Gygis alba) resting on a branch near its nest. Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia. September.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Pacific reef egret (Egretta sacra sacra) foraging on a tidal coral reef, with wings raised, darting after prey. Puka Puka, Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia. November.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Wandering tattler (Tringa incana) in non-breeding plumage, stretching its wing. Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia. October.

Sue Flood / Black pearls for sale on pearl farm, Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia, South Pacific 2010

Sue Flood / Volcanic Lake Lalolalo, Wallis and Futuna, French Polynesia, South Pacific 2010

Sue Flood / Volcanic Lake Lalolalo, Wallis and Futuna, French Polynesia, South Pacific 2010

Sue Flood / Copra drying on Puka Puka. This is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut producing countries. Puk...

Rick Tomlinson / Aerial view of SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway off Bora Bora Island, French Polynesia Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / SY "Adele"'s first mate, Mark Thirkettle, cleans the anchor just off Huahine Island, French Polynesia

Rick Tomlinson / Aerial view of SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway close to the reef off Huahine Island, French Polynesia, 2006. Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / Aerial view of SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway close to the reef off Huahine Island, French Polynesia, 2006. Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / Aerial view of SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway off Bora Bora Island, French Polynesia, 2006. Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway close to the reef off Huahine Island, French Polynesia, 2006. Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / Aerial view of SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway off Bora Bora Island, French Polynesia, 2006. Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / Aerial view of SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway off Huahine Island, French Polynesia, 2006. Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / Aerial view of SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway off Bora Bora Island, French Polynesia, 2006. Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / Aerial view of SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway close to the reef off Huahine Island, French Polynesia, 2006. Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / Aerial view of SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway off Bora Bora Island, French Polynesia Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / Aerial view of SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway close to Huahine Island, French Polynesia, 2006. Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / Aerial view of SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway close to the reef off Huahine Island, French Polynesia Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / One of the many volcanic islands in French Polynesia

Rick Tomlinson / Silhouette of a canoeist at sunset, French Polynesia, 2006.

Rick Tomlinson / Aerial view of SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway close to the reef off Huahine Island, French Polynesia Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / Aerial view of SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway off Bora Bora Island, French Polynesia Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / Aerial view of SY "Adele", 180 foot Hoek Design, underway off Bora Bora Island, French Polynesia Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / SY "Adele", 180 foot 'Hoek' Design, motoring off an island in French Polynesia Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Brent Stephenson / Weak-shelled Shore Crabs (Grapsus tenuicrustatus) on the reef edge with waves breaking. Tahanea, Tuamotus, French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / Weak-shelled Shore Crabs (Grapsus tenuicrustatus) on a wave platform. Puamau, Hiva Oa, Marquesas, French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / Blue Land Crab (Cardisoma carnifex) walking over coral rubble on land. Mataiva, Tuamotus, French Polynesia, October.

Brent Stephenson / Peppered Moray (Gymnothorax pictus) hunting crabs on the reef flats during the day. Tahanea, Tuamotus, French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / The grave of Paul Gauguin at the Atuona Cemetary on Hiva Oa. Marquesas, French Polynesia, November 2009.

Brent Stephenson / Large flock of Sooty Terns (Onychoprion / Sterna fuscatus) in flight over a breeding colony. Mauipihaa (Mopelia), French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / Sooty Tern (Onychoprion / Sterna fuscatus) chicks under the low vegetation at their breeding colony. Mauipihaa (Mopelia), French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / White / Fairy Tern (Gygis alba) chick on a branch. Raroia, Tuamotus, French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / Large flock of Sooty Terns (Onychoprion / Sterna fuscatus) in flight. Mauipihaa (Mopelia), French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii) in breeding plumage, standing on a fishing bouy. Bora Bora, French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / Immature Grey-backed Tern (Onychoprion / Sterna lunatus) standing on a fishing bouy. Bora Bora, French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / Pacific / Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta sacra) in profile by the shore. Puka Puka, Tuamotus, French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / Sanderling (Calidris alba) pulling a large worm from sand. Taiohae, Nuku Hiva, Marquesas, French Polynesia, October.

Brent Stephenson / Common / Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus) chick at its nest, panting in the heat. Motu Omai, Rangiroa Atoll, Tuamotus, French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel) male in flight, showing underwing. Mataiva, Tuamotus, French Polynesia, September.

Brent Stephenson / White / Fairy Tern (Gygis alba) egg balancing on its branch nest. The egg is laid straight on to the branch. Tahanea, Tuamotus, French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / Portrait of a Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii) in non-breeding plumage perched on a channel marker. Mangareva, Gambier Islands, French Polynesia, September.

Brent Stephenson / White / Fairy Tern (Gygis alba) egg balancing on its branch nest. The egg is laid straight on to the branch. Tahanea, Tuamotus, French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / Sooty Terns (Onychoprion / Sterna fuscatus) seen from below in flight. Mauipihaa (Mopelia), French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor) male in flight, showing underwing and deflated throat pouch. Motu Tunga, Tuamotus, French Polynesia, November.

Brent Stephenson / White / Fairy Tern (Gygis alba) hovering near a branch where a second Tern is perched. Motu Omai, Rangiroa Atoll, Tuamotus, French Polynesia, November.

Tim Laman / Stone walls and other features at a ancient Polynesian archaelogical site in Hatiheu Valley, Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, July 2006

Tim Laman / Forest on Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, July 2006

Tim Laman / Bay of Virgins, Fatu Hiva Island, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, July 2006

Tim Laman / Polynesian petroglyph or rock carving on the island of Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, July 2006

Tim Laman / Polynesian rock art, Puamau site on Hiva Oa, French Polynesia, July 2006

Tim Laman / Sunlight on fringing forest with dark clouds behind, Anaho Bay, Nuku Hiva Island, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, July 2006

Tim Laman / Anaho Bay, Nuku Hiva Island, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, July 2006

Tim Laman / Lava rock and coral sand, Anaho Bay, Nuku Hiva Island, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, July 2006

Tim Laman / View of Hatiheu bay and surrounding peaks, Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, July 2006

Tim Laman / National Geographic ship, Endeavour, at anchor in Hatiheu Bay, Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, July 2006

Tim Laman / Stone walls and other features at a ancient Polynesian archaelogical site in Hatiheu Valley, Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, July 2006

Tim Laman / A piece of waxy material found on a beach claimed by local islanders to be spermaciti from a sperm whale. However this is unverified, Takapoto Atoll, Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia.

Tim Laman / Rock formation in the Bay of Virgins, Fatu Hiva Island, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, July 2006

Tim Laman / Anaho Bay, Nuku Hiva Island, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, July 2006

Tim Laman / View of Raroia Atoll from the sea, Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia. July 2006

Tim Laman / Sunbeams shining through clouds onto the lagoon of Fakarava Atoll, Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia. July 2006

Tim Laman / Coral reef in shallow water near waves breaking on reef, Makatea Island (an uplifted limestone island), Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia. July 2006

Tim Laman / Split level view of Coral reef in shallow water, Makatea Island (an uplifted limestone island). Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia. July 2006

Tim Laman / Aerial view of Bora Bora Island, Society Islands, French Polynesia. July 2006

Tim Laman / Aerial view of Bora Bora Island, Society Islands, French Polynesia. July 2006

Tim Laman / Aerial view volcanic peak and coastal town of Bora Bora Island, Society Islands, French Polynesia. July 2006

Tim Laman / Aerial view of yacht anchored off Bora Bora Island, Society Islands, French Polynesia. July 2006