Explore Rangiroa
Rangiroa is the largest atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. Rangiroa is a true representative of the tropical islands which make up this archipelago. White sandy beaches, warm climate, palm trees and sparkling clear waters. Due to the fantastic diving opportunities here, there are numerous dive centres and dive resorts on this atoll which will take divers to see the best of the best in these waters. There are also a number of liveaboards which visit this region for divers who prefer that. There are two passes which connect the lagoon to the open ocean, the Tiputa pass and the Avatoru pass, both which hold some of the best dive spots in this area, and the third most popular spot is the lagoon. These diving areas provide divers of all levels and interests something which is bound to excite them. From the calm and crystal clear lagoon which is perfect for novice divers and dive courses, to the passes which have a high abundance of sharks, rays and many other species, drift dives, coral walls and plateaus and more!
Dive Activity
Diving in Rangiroa
There are many types of diving which can be done here, for divers of all levels and with a wide range of interests. The lagoon here is where those diving for the first time, those taking other dive courses or in general novice divers will be able to enjoy the impressive marine environment while in calm and clear conditions. Out in the two passes, there are multiple opportunities for some gentle drift dives which will take dives from the open ocean into the lagoon, passing impressive coral reefs and coral walls. There are steep drop offs here which plunge down into the blue and those are the best places to spot some of the larger sharks and rays. The main type of diving here is the type which involves admiring the large collection of marine life. The dive sites here are all reached after a short boat ride.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Rangiroa
The density of marine life is second to none. There is a wide array of species to be spotted here and bound to get divers blood pumping. Marine species here range from the tiny but vibrant Nudibranchs, to Scorpionfish, Stonefish, Anemones and Anemonefish, Moray Eels, Napoleon Groupers, Marbled Groupers, Bigeye Jackfish, African Pompano Jackfish, Bue Jackfish, Barracuda, Napoleon Wrasse, Dogtooth Tuna and more! Of course what attracts many divers to this region are the sharks, and sharks there are! The species which are spotted here include Whitetip Sharks, Blackfin Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks, Blacktip Sharks and Silvertip Sharks. Some of the other spectacular species found here include Sea Turtles, Manta Rays, Leopard Rays, Eagle Rays, and on the best days, Bottlenose Dolphins. There is definitely no lack of marine species to be seen here, and what makes it so exciting is that so many of these are spotted in every dive.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
Tobias Friedrich
2.6k Sightings
J
108
F
129
M
108
A
186
M
144
J
196
J
287
A
368
S
357
O
371
N
229
D
119
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
Barracuda
2.1k Sightings
J
137
F
98
M
93
A
189
M
143
J
143
J
189
A
347
S
286
O
244
N
168
D
98
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
1.1k Sightings
J
65
F
32
M
43
A
79
M
49
J
58
J
86
A
238
S
178
O
140
N
84
D
50
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
1.1k Sightings
J
48
F
41
M
48
A
65
M
59
J
74
J
108
A
158
S
186
O
153
N
81
D
39
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
1k Sightings
J
52
F
52
M
56
A
59
M
73
J
64
J
104
A
194
S
133
O
117
N
55
D
58
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
403 Sightings
J
27
F
12
M
11
A
47
M
39
J
32
J
51
A
64
S
48
O
40
N
20
D
12
AdobeStock/G Russel Childress
Great Hammerhead Shark
343 Sightings
J
31
F
30
M
37
A
27
M
10
J
0
J
0
A
62
S
58
O
47
N
16
D
25
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
333 Sightings
J
15
F
0
M
4
A
30
M
25
J
20
J
45
A
78
S
51
O
47
N
18
D
0
AdobeStock-wildestanimal
Common Dolphin
226 Sightings
J
12
F
0
M
1
A
21
M
18
J
22
J
22
A
46
S
35
O
24
N
14
D
11
iStock/Divepic
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
134 Sightings
J
1
F
13
M
0
A
0
M
12
J
0
J
16
A
18
S
27
O
29
N
18
D
0
The best Months to dive in Rangiroa
This tropical atoll 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.
There is such a high density of marine species here that there is something exciting to see year round.
