The best of French Polynesia Diving
'Shark Walls' and Pelagic Diving
Diving Packages in Fakarava and Rangiroa
Fakarava and Rangiroa represent the crown Jewels of scuba diving in French Polynesia. Located run the remote Tuamotu Archipelago, these two atolls offer some of the most exhilarating drift dive experiences on Earth. Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Fakarava delivers pristine, frontier diving with spectacular shark encounters. Rangiroa, praised by Jacques Cousteau as among the most beautiful waters in the South Pacific, delivers world famous pass dives teeming with pelagic live including a resident friendly dolphin school. Together these two dive destinations form the ultimate French Polynesian dive itinerary.
Fakarava - The UNESCO shark sanctuary
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Garuae Pass ( North Pass) - the widest channel in French Polynesia at 1,600 metres across. Powerful currents feed a reef of corals, attracting huge numbers of grey reef sharks and pelagics. Dived on an incoming to slack tide.
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Tumakohua Pass ( South Pass) - narrower at just 200 metres wide - this pass features the legendary shark wall where grey reef, lemon sharks, hammerheads and oceanic white tips patrol. Also the site of the annual grouper spawning ( June and July) when thousands of marbled grouper gather and attract massive shark feeding frenzies.
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Tetamanu - as sharky as it can get. Walls of hundreds of grey reef sharks alongside manta rays and giant hammerheads.
Fakarava Diving - Marine Life Calendar
Reef sharks and manta rays - Year round
Hammerheads - January to March
Humpback whales - August to October
Grouper spawning - June to July (full moon)
Rangiroa : World Class Pass Diving
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Tiputa Pass - one of the world's most famous drift dives. Strong currents bring in dolphins, grey reef sharks, manta rays, barracuda and massive schools of pelagic fish. Advanced divers comfortable in current will find this destination absolutely unforgettable.
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The Aquarium - a calmer, shallower site inside the lagoon offering pristine reef diving with parrotfish, angelfish and corals. Perfect for more relaxed dives.
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Dolphin pass - prime location for dolphin encounters with pods often riding the currents at the entrance
Rangiroa Diving - Marine Life Year Round
Dolphins - frequent at Tiputa and Dolphin Passes
Grey reef sharks, hammerheads and manta rays
Giant hammerheads, possible tiger sharks, large fish schools, tuna, barracuda
Why scuba dive Fakarava & Rangiroa?
Our French Polynesia packages offer the perfect combination of the two must dive areas on one the last pelagic frontiers of the world.
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve - pristine protected marine environments
World Class Shark Encounters
Thrilling drift diving - some of the best pass dives on the planet
Remote and uncrowded
Exceptional visibility - 30 - 40 metres year round
Seasonal Spectacles - Grouper spawning ( June - July) and whale migration ( July to October)
Practical Tips for Divers
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Experience Level : Intermediate to advanced for pass drift dives. Should be comfortable in strong currents
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Tide Planning : All dives are tide - dependent - schedule accordingly
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Nitrox is available at dive centres
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Small Group size - maximum 6 divers
Stay at Havaiki Lodge - Fakarava
A memorable and authentic Polynesian experience. Beach Bungalows are highly recommended for seclusion and tranquility
Havaiki Lodge Fakarava - 7 nights/12 dives AUD 3,900 per person
Located on North Fakarava near the village of Rotoava, this lodge sits on a stunning white sand beach along a translucent turquoise lagoon. The atoll is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Havaiki Lodge offers 16 bungalows - 10 Beach Bungalows which sit directly in the sand, just metres from the water. These 25 square metre bungalows feature a queen bed, a single bed and an extra bed. The 6 Garden Bungalows are set back amid the foliage with some 'Panoramic' options elevated 2 metres high offering partial lagoon views.
All off the bungalows include air conditioning, a mini-fridge, safe and a private bathroom with hot water.
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7 nights accommodation in beach bungalow
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Half board meals - buffet breakfast and 3 course dinner daily in the restaurant
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10 boat dives in the passes with TopDive including gear rental and nitrox
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Kayaks, canoes and snorkelling in the lagoon
Motu Aito Paraidis Fakarava - 7 nights/12 dives AUD 4,125 pp
Nestled on a private motu in the remote south of Fakarava Atoll, Motu Aito Paradise offers a total dislocation from the world alongside an unforgettable diving experience in one of the world's most pristine marine ecosystems. This family run lodge combines traditional Polynesian charm with exceptional access to the Tumakohua South Pass, a legendary dive site famous for its walls of grey reef sharks, kaleidoscopic coral gardens and thrilling drift dives.
Advanced divers highly rate the full service onsite dive centre which provides expert guides for the protected Fakarava UNESCO Biosphere Reserve waters. Beyond diving, guests can explore the lagoon by kayak or paddle board.
Accommodation is in rustic, ocean - facing bungalows with outdoor bathrooms. Savour fresh fish and local Polynesian cuisine in the onsite restaurant.
Motu Aito is more than a dive destination - its a true escape into the heart of French Polynesia's untamed beauty,
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7 nights accommodation in beach/ overwater bungalow king sized or 2 single beds
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Return transfers from Rangiroa Airport
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5 days of 2 tank dives in the UNESCO Biosphere including rental gear
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Daily breakfast with home made bread
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Petanque , Wifi and bicycles
Vahaiu Paradise Guest House - Rangiroa - 7 nights/ 12 dives AUD 3,775 per person
Escape to Vahaui Paradise, a charming family - run guesthouse perched on the ocean side of Rangiroa in French Polynesia. This intimate retreat offers a serene and heavenly escape in the heart of the South Pacific, just 800 metres from the incredible scuba diving of the Tiputa Pass.
The property features 3 rental 'fares' ( traditional Polynesian bungalows) and 2 private bungalows where the owners reside. Each rental unit comes equipped with a private bathroom , air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchenette.
Diving packages are organised for you with the local experts Topdive Rangiroa. You will dive in the world famous Tiputa Pass - a premier spot for diving with dolphins, just 1 km away.
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7 nights accommodation in air conditioned oceanfront fare
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Return transfers from Rangiroa airport
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6 days of 2 tank dives in the Tiputa Pass with Top Dive - including nitrox, 15 litre tanks, weights and guide and gear
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Breakfast with freshly made bread
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Wifi and bicycles
French Polynesia Photography kindly provided by Paolo Isgro