A dataset of soundscapes from Polynesian altiphotic, mesophotic and rariphotic zones

Tropical coral reefs encompass diverse acoustic environments, yet knowledge of their soundscapes beyond shallow altiphotic reefs remains limited. This dataset provides comprehensive underwater recordings from altiphotic reefs, mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs), and the rariphotic zone in French Polynesia, collected across multiple islands, depths, and temporal scales. Recordings capture a broad range of biophony, including fish, benthic invertebrates, dolphins, and baleen whales, alongside geophony and anthropophony. Data were collected using standardized fixed and drifting acoustic systems, digitized in uncompressed WAV format, and supplemented with metadata detailing deployment conditions, hydrophone specifications, and recording schedules. These datasets support diverse applications, including studies of fish and invertebrate acoustic behavior, soundscape ecology, and the effects of environmental change and marine protection measures. All recordings and associated resources are publicly available via Zenodo repositories, facilitating reuse for ecological and conservation research.