Dive Site: Fakarava - North Pass

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.

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 · occasional

Dive 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

• Passe Tumakohua

  South Pass of Fakarava, known for its 'Wall of Sharks'

• Ohotu

  Ocean side reef dive near the North Pass

• Maiuru

  Ocean side reef dive near the North Pass

• Tiputa Pass

  Famous pass in Rangiroa, known for hammerheads

• Tikehau - Tuheiava Pass

  Pass in Tikehau, another Tuamotu atoll

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

FAQ

Fakarava - North Pass FAQ

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

$579/day

Aqua Tiki III

French Polynesia

10 guests20 m

$504/day