Diving in Fakarava is the promise of exceptional encounters, in an environment preserved from mass tourism. To the north, the Garuae pass, the widest in Polynesia which surprises with the quality of the coral reef, and the concentration of pelagic fish and shark species, is an ideal playground. To the south, the Tetamanu pass and its end-of-the-world feel is a choice destination for a day trip.
Havaiki Lodge is conveniently located, near the airport and dive centres, with a choice of beachfront or garden bungalows, a restaurant and bar. Breakfast and dinner are included in your accommodation package as standard.
Havaiki Pearl Lodge
With its 16 bungalows, the Havaiki Lodge pension is closer to the Resort than to a family pension. In a modern and refined style, the garden and beach bungalows combine the precious wood of the parquet, the driftwood which adorns the bathroom mirrors and the pebbles inlaid in the walls. All rooms now have air conditioning.
On the beach, the snack bar offers a varied lunch menu in a very friendly atmosphere. Bar side, lounge atmosphere in Polynesian style to end the day well. From the dining room, display cases allow you to admire the jewelry showcasing the pearls grown at the pension.
Pension Veke Veke
Veke Veke Village pension is made up of 8 bungalows. Spread out on the beach or by the lagoon, they are built in a traditional style and tastefully decorated. Rooms are fan-cooled. The “fare” restaurant will allow you to enjoy tasty family cuisine that highlights local flavors. Very close to the restaurant, the pontoon allows you to admire the lagoon and the exceptional marine fauna that inhabit it.
A double dive is offered each morning on the incoming tide, with a more relaxed single dive in the afternoon. In the mornings, expect to see a wall of sharks at the entrance to the channels and a reef almost obscured by marine life. It’s a relatively short trip on the dive boat, through the channel to the outer reef where divers are dropped in, and picked up inside the lagoon after drifting through the channel.
Passe Nord: For safety’s sake, we only dive the pass when the current is incoming or slack. We adapt the dives as best as possible to the level of each diver but you should know that the drift of the North Fakarava pass can be sporty when the current is strong.
Day trips to Passe Sud (South Channel) are also offered. The southern pass of the atoll is located near the ancient village of Tetamanu, more than an hour’s navigation away.
Transfers are provided each day from your accommodation, and if you’re doing a third dive in the afternoon, they’ll usually provide a transfer to a nearby cafe for lunch.
Fakarava is the second largest atoll in French Polynesia. The 2 passes that connect its lagoon to the ocean are GARUAE (north) and TUMAKOHUA (south). They offer among the best dives in Polynesia. The northern pass of GARUAE is the largest in the Tuamotu Islands and probably holds the highest density of fish with incredible pelagic encounters – sharks in the morning, mantas in the afternoon.
Tumakohua – Pass Sud
The southern pass of the atoll is located near the ancient village of Tetamanu, more than an hour’s navigation away. This site, which looks like the “end of the world”, is an exceptional jewel, both on land and underwater. Narrow (200m), this pass concentrates an exceptional density of life in a small space: the population of gray sharks, which is estimated at 700 individuals there, is said to be the densest in the world. The current being weaker than in Garuae, this pass is accessible to divers of all levels, but what a dive!
This is a drift dive, preferably by incoming current, but it can also be dived with a falling tide. If grey sharks are the kings of the pass, don’t forget to note the incredible richness of the biodiversity of the site where we encounter barracudas, tuna, napoleon, perch.
NB: the Tumakohua pass is the breeding ground for marbled grouper, which come every year between the full moons of June and July to take possession of the pass. Some 18,000 marbled groupers make the journey, at the risk of ending up in the stomachs of gray sharks, or seeing their eggs devoured by the Manta rays who wait patiently at the exit of the pass.
Garuae – Pass Nord
Garuae Pass is located 20 minutes by boat from the diving center. The largest pass in Polynesia is available to you, 1600m wide!
By incoming current, we jump into the Blue, on the ocean side, where we descend to the “step” between 20m and 30m. From there, the 16/9 screen projects a grandiose spectacle that is always renewed: numerous sharks, tuna, barracudas… and surprise guests. The dive continues by flying from canyon to canyon covered with multicolored corals. Some dives will end at Ali Baba, a natural aquarium where thousands of tropical fish, perch, priacanths, wrasses, white tip sharks, gray sharks, gather around the divers.
Of exceptional beauty, for its corals and the density of fish, this dive also provides great sensations. To do and redo!
We adapt the dives as best as possible to the level of each diver but you should know that the drift of the North Fakarava pass can be sporty when the current is strong.
Ohotu and Maiuru are the sites outside the reef , on either side of the pass. The drop-off covered with very beautiful corals welcomes schools of becunes, surgeonfish, perch, barracudas. You may also come across sharks, napoleons, curious about your underwater walk and if you are lucky, manta rays or dolphins will greet you.
The lagoon includes diving sites, ideal for discovery and the first bubbles of baptisms and beginner divers. A myriad of tropical fish await you there.
O2 Fakarava Dive Packages
| This pricing is valid to 31 Dec 2024 | |||||
| 7 Night Fakarava Dive Package includes: * 7 nights accommodation including daily breakfast and dinner * 10 dives with O2 Fakarava including weights, tanks, air fills & dive guide • Meet and greet on arrival • All transfers • Domestic flights between Tahiti and Fakarava • 10 Dives Gold Pass for 1 diver • Marine Park fees |
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| Pricing is per person based on double/twin-share occupancy. | AUD | EUR | |||
| Havaiki Pearl Lodge - Garden Bungalow | 2776 | EUR | | | 2776 | |
| Pension Veke Veke - Beach Bungalow | 2352 | EUR | | | 2352 | |
| Add on 3 nights in Rangiroa: * 3 nights at Matai Resort in Garden View Bungalow including breakfast * 2 Dives inc weights, tanks & dive guide * All transfers * Flight from Fakarava to Rangiroa |
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| High Season Pricing | 980 | EUR | | | 980 | |
| Add on 3 nights in Moorea: * 3 nights at Manava Resort in Garden View Room including American breakfast * 2 Dives with Moorea Blue Diving inc weights, tanks & dive guide * Half day whale watching tour with Corallina Tours * All road & boat transfers |
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| High Season Pricing | 1200 | EUR | | | 1200 | |
| NB: for divers from Australia & New Zealand | |||||
| Flights to Tahiti from Australia & New Zealand arrive late at night, and depart early morning, meaning that overnight stays in Papeete are required at the beginning and end of trips to French Polynesia's more remote archipelagos, including the Tuamotus (Fakarava, Rangiroa & Tikihau). Flights from North America and Europe may require only 1 overnight stay in Papeete. This pricing is indicative only - Diveplanit will provide a tailor-made package and quote according to your individual requirements. | |||||
| Pricing is per person based on double/twin-share occupancy. | AUD | EUR | |||
| 2 transit nights at Tahiti Airport Hotel (at start and finish of trip). Includes breakfast, meet and greet on arrival, all transfers | 259 | EUR | | | 259 | |
