About Fakarava - North Pass
Fakarava's North Pass, officially known as Garuae Pass, is a world-renowned drift dive site in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia. As the widest pass in French Polynesia, stretching 1,600 meters across, it acts as a natural gate between the ocean and the Fakarava Atoll's inner lagoon. This constant tidal exchange fuels an incredibly rich ecosystem, making it a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve prized for its marine biodiversity, particularly its shark populations and pristine hard corals. The dive typically begins on the outer reef, descending to depths between 25 and 40 meters, where a sandy plain dotted with coral bommies serves as cleaning stations for large pelagic species. Divers then drift with the strong incoming current through the expansive pass. The topography features canyons covered in magnificent corals, leading to areas like Alibaba, a coral depression teeming with fish. While the North Pass is celebrated for its incredible abundance of grey reef sharks, divers also frequently encounter manta rays at cleaning stations throughout the year. Seasonal sightings include hammerhead sharks from November to April. Large schools of barracuda, giant trevally, and Napoleon wrasse patrol the pass walls, complementing the exceptional reef life, including pristine staghorn fields and massive Porites colonies in shallower sections. Eagle ray formations, hawksbill turtles, and schooling jacks are common, with whitetip reef sharks often found resting on the sand. Reachable by boat from Rotoava village, typically a 15 to 25-minute ride, diving in the North Pass is primarily an advanced drift experience. The currents can be powerful, often exceeding three knots, requiring good buoyancy control and drift diving proficiency. Dives are carefully timed with the incoming tide to maximize the drift and marine life encounters, promising an adrenaline-pumping yet immensely rewarding underwater adventure.
Highlights
Widest pass in French PolynesiaExceptional grey reef shark densitySeasonal hammerhead shark sightingsManta ray cleaning stationsVibrant hard coral gardensAdrenaline-pumping drift divesUNESCO Biosphere ReserveGiant trevally and barracuda schools
Season calendar
Best months to dive here
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Excellent
Good
Off-Season
May – Oct (Dry Season)
Best visibility up to 40m. Humpback whales Jul–Nov. Shark wall at Fakarava peaks Jun–Jul (grouper spawning). Ideal conditions.
Feb – Apr & Nov (Transition)
Improving/declining conditions. Still good diving, occasional rain. Fewer tourists, good value.
Dec – Jan (Wet/Cyclone Season)
Peak wet season with reduced visibility, rough seas possible. Cyclone risk. Some operators still run trips to Rangiroa and Fakarava.
Dive site facts: Fakarava - North Pass
- Depth
- 8–40 m
- Typical dive
- 25–40 m, 50–65 min
- Current
- Strong
- Visibility
- 30–50 m
- Water temperature
- 26–29°C
- Entry
- Live boat drop / negative entry
- Level
- Advanced, drift experience mandatory
- Dive type
- Drift, pelagic, shark, reef
- Night dive
- Possible (South Pass mentioned for night, North Pass for general diving, not explicitly for night)
- Region / port
- Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia
- Coordinates
- 16.0425° S, 147.6673° W
Conditions & Currents
Garuae Pass is renowned for its strong, often powerful currents that routinely exceed three knots, making it primarily a drift diving experience. Dives are meticulously timed to coincide with the incoming tide, allowing divers to be carried through the pass with the flow from ocean to lagoon. This ensures optimal marine life viewing as pelagic species congregate. Divers must possess mandatory drift experience and good buoyancy control to manage these conditions effectively, as safety stops are also performed while drifting. The current strength can vary, sometimes being moderate, but rarely weak during the planned drift. Surface intervals are typically extended to allow for better desaturation, especially given the profile of drift dives and potential for longer bottom times.
Marine life & sighting chances
Grey Reef Shark
Year-round · common
Manta Ray
Year-round · occasional
Hammerhead Shark
November-April · occasional
Eagle Ray
Year-round · common
Napoleon Wrasse
Year-round · common
Barracuda
Year-round · common
Giant Trevally
Year-round · common
Hawksbill Turtle
Year-round · common
Whitetip Reef Shark
Year-round · common
Tuna
Year-round · common
Grouper
Year-round, peak June-July · common
Snapper
Year-round · common
Dolphin
Year-round · occasionalDive profile & how the dive runs
Diving the Garuae Pass typically begins on the oceanic side with a boat drop into the strong incoming current. Divers descend quickly to depths of 25-40 meters, starting the drift along a sandy plain featuring coral bommies and cleaning stations. The dive progresses through canyons adorned with magnificent corals, moving slowly with the current. Observation points are common along the drift, where divers may hold onto rocks with one finger to observe the prolific marine life, including numerous grey reef sharks. The drift continues into the lagoon, often passing through specific areas like 'Alibaba,' a coral depression teeming with fish. The safety stop is integrated into the final stages of the drift as divers are carried into the calmer waters of the lagoon, where the dive concludes.
Underwater photography
Capturing the vastness and pelagic action of Garuae Pass requires wide-angle lenses for both still and video photography. Due to the high visibility, distant subjects like schools of sharks, manta rays, and barracuda are excellent targets. Using strobes or video lights is beneficial for bringing out the true colors of the vibrant hard corals and for illuminating subjects against the blue water. Excellent buoyancy control is essential, especially when navigating strong currents or positioning near cleaning stations. Be mindful of marine life, particularly sharks and rays, maintaining a respectful distance and avoiding intrusive behavior. Capturing the sheer density of shark populations, especially during seasonal aggregations, is a highlight, but be prepared for rapid movements and quick framing opportunities.
Combine with nearby dive sites
Getting there & logistics
Access to Fakarava's North Pass is typically via Faa'a International Airport (PPT) in Tahiti, followed by a 70-minute domestic flight to Fakarava. Alternatively, a 30-minute flight from Rangiroa Airport (RGI) is possible. The main departure point for North Pass dives is Rotoava village on Fakarava, with boat rides to the dive site lasting 15-25 minutes. Dive trips often involve liveaboards like Aqua Tiki II or stays at dive resorts, with itineraries frequently combining North Pass dives with occasional visits to the South Pass for a comprehensive Fakarava experience. Dive packages may include multiple dives per day, tailored to tidal conditions to optimize encounters with marine life and manage currents. Longer surface intervals are common for safety and comfort.
Safety & environment
Diving in Garuae Pass requires advanced certification and mandatory drift diving experience due to strong and unpredictable currents that can exceed three knots. Divers must maintain excellent buoyancy and be proficient in current techniques to avoid injury or damage to the reef. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Tahiti, necessitating robust dive insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation. Divers should always follow their guide's instructions regarding entry, route, and safety stops, especially concerning finger-hooking techniques to observe marine life without damaging corals. While groupers spawn in June and July, caution should be exercised as this attracts a higher density of sharks and other predators. Always carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and whistle for surface visibility.
Who it suits, and who it doesn't
Suited for
- Advanced divers with current experience
- Enthusiasts of large pelagics and sharks
- Drift diving aficionados
- Underwater photographers with wide-angle setups
- Divers seeking pristine coral ecosystems
Less suited for
- Beginner divers or those without drift experience
- Divers uncomfortable with strong currents
- Macro photography specialists (primary focus is pelagic)
- Divers prone to seasickness (due to boat transfers and potential surface chop)
FAQ
Fakarava - North Pass FAQ
What kind of marine life can I expect to see in Fakarava's North Pass?
The North Pass is world-renowned for its incredible shark populations, particularly grey reef sharks, which are often seen in numbers ranging from 30 to 80 on a single dive. You can also frequently encounter manta rays at cleaning stations, especially during specific seasons. Other common sightings include large schools of barracuda, giant trevally, Napoleon wrasse, eagle rays, and hawksbill turtles, along with abundant reef fish and pristine hard corals.
Is Fakarava's North Pass suitable for beginner divers?
Fakarava's North Pass is generally not recommended for beginner divers. The pass is known for its strong currents, which can routinely exceed three knots, requiring mandatory advanced certification and significant drift diving experience. Divers must be proficient in managing currents and maintaining excellent buoyancy control for a safe and enjoyable experience.
What are the best months to dive Fakarava North Pass?
While diving is possible year-round, the period from April to November is generally considered the best, offering optimal visibility and conditions. Seasonal highlights include hammerhead sharks from November to April and the famous grouper spawning in June and July, which attracts an even greater number of sharks and other predators.
How do currents affect diving in the North Pass?
Currents are a defining feature of diving in the North Pass, as it is primarily a drift dive. Dives are timed to align with the incoming tide, carrying divers from the ocean into the lagoon. These strong currents, while requiring experience, facilitate incredible pelagic encounters and cover a large area of the pass, making for a dynamic and exhilarating dive. Safety procedures like proper buoyancy and SMB deployment are crucial.
What makes Fakarava's North Pass a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve?
Fakarava Atoll, including its North Pass, is designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to its exceptional ecosystem and rich marine biodiversity. This recognition underscores the atoll's importance as a natural habitat for numerous species, especially its diverse and abundant shark populations, vibrant coral reefs, and the unique interaction between the ocean and lagoon through its passes. Strict conservation efforts are in place to protect this fragile environment.
Why dive Fakarava - North Pass from a liveaboard?
Fakarava - North Pass is one of French Polynesia's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.
Below are the liveaboards that include Fakarava - North Pass on their French Polynesia itineraries.
Liveaboards diving Fakarava - North Pass
These liveaboards may visit Fakarava - North Pass on selected itineraries, the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
Aqua Tiki II
French Polynesia
8 guests
Aqua Tiki III
French Polynesia
10 guests20 m
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