Explore Fakarava
Fakarava is an atoll which lies in the west of the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia. It lies in the paradise waters of the South Pacific Ocean and is the true epitome of a tropical island with pearly white beaches and waters ranging from light turquoise to rich sapphire colours.
In 2006, this area was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to help protect its collection of rich marine biodiversity. There are numerous dive centres and dive resorts on this atoll which will take divers out to experience this stunning underwater world. If divers prefer to take a liveaboard, then there are also a few options for that. Two of the most popular diving spots are the passages which connect the lagoon to the sea; the Guruae passage and the Tumakohua passage. Not only are the corals absolutely flourishing here, but there are also multiple large species to spot which help create a thrilling dive. The dive sites are reached by small boats as they don’t lie far off the shore. Diving here is not an experience divers would forget quickly.
Dive Activity
Diving in Fakarava
There are multiple types of diving which can be done here in Fakarava, but what they all have in common are clear warm waters and a stunning collection of colours and species to be spotted. The dive sites are either reached by dive boats, most of them lie quite close to shore, or reached by liveaboard. The lagoon of Fakarava is the most ideal and picturesque diving area for novice divers and for divers taking dive courses. There are some dive sites, especially in the two passageways, which have some currents, usually gentle ones, but they result in some relaxing drift dives. Another highlight of many dives here is the fact that there is a high density of species which can be spotted; ranging from flourishing corals to a high number of different species of Sharks.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Fakarava
The fact that this is a preserved area means that the marine environment is thriving and in pristine condition. This begins at the foundation; the coral reefs. There are many oral gardens and reefs which are covered in a colourful assortment of Hard Corals, Soft Corals, Sea Sponges and more marine flora. These corals attract different species from reef fish such as Butterfly Fish, Longfin Bannerfish, Squirrelfish and more. Other species which inhabit these waters include Marble Groupers, Barracuda, Tuna, Eagle Rays, Sea Turtles and on the best days Manta Rays and Dolphins. Of course, sharks are one of the main attractions which attract divers here, and they do not disappoint. Some of the main species which are spotted here include a high abundance of Grey Sharks, White Tip Reef Sharks, Hammerheads, Lemon Sharks and Whitecap Sharks. What makes diving with sharks here even more satisfying is that there is no baiting or feeding, their behaviours are completely natural.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
277 Sightings
J
5
F
18
M
21
A
25
M
17
J
30
J
24
A
25
S
44
O
19
N
29
D
20
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
264 Sightings
J
10
F
20
M
17
A
16
M
16
J
33
J
21
A
25
S
29
O
23
N
34
D
20
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
200 Sightings
J
6
F
7
M
10
A
11
M
17
J
26
J
13
A
30
S
38
O
9
N
16
D
17
iStock/Divepic
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
132 Sightings
J
3
F
13
M
8
A
12
M
6
J
10
J
8
A
12
S
20
O
18
N
14
D
8
iStock-crisod
Reef Manta Ray
107 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
4
A
15
M
6
J
8
J
9
A
8
S
9
O
24
N
15
D
7
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
Grey Reef Shark
688 Sightings
J
21
F
49
M
42
A
58
M
55
J
80
J
57
A
66
S
104
O
53
N
60
D
43
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark
370 Sightings
J
12
F
28
M
27
A
34
M
33
J
40
J
29
A
35
S
55
O
24
N
34
D
19
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
346 Sightings
J
12
F
25
M
23
A
25
M
23
J
39
J
26
A
23
S
53
O
40
N
37
D
20
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 40
iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish
258 Sightings
J
12
F
15
M
22
A
19
M
18
J
28
J
16
A
20
S
42
O
33
N
24
D
9
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
236 Sightings
J
7
F
13
M
12
A
17
M
16
J
31
J
22
A
22
S
29
O
30
N
31
D
6
The best Moths to dive in Fakarava
This tropical island is, luckily for divers, accessible year-round. The summer here runs between November and April and is not only the warmest time of the year, but also the most humid, the winter time is drier and cooler. The air temperatures range between 24 degrees Celsius in the winter and 32 degrees Celsius in the midst of summer. Luckily, the water temperatures don’t drop below 24 degrees Celsius and averages around 29 degrees, so this is a tropical and warm diving destination. The visibility is above average here throughout the year, with ranges between 10 and 30 metres, sometimes reaching higher than that.
Luckily for divers, the famous ‘wall of sharks’ is around here throughout the year, with a 99% chance of being seen on every dive.
