Dive Site: North Pass - Fakarava

About North Pass - Fakarava

Fakarava, a UNESCO biosphere reserve within the Tuamotu Archipelago, stands as a premier dive destination renowned for its exceptional marine biodiversity. This atoll, the second largest in French Polynesia, features two significant passes connecting its inner lagoon to the ocean: the Garuae Pass in the north and the Tumakohua Pass in the south. These natural channels serve as vital arteries, drawing nutrient-rich plankton from the lagoon and, in turn, attracting a remarkable concentration of pelagic species, particularly sharks. Garuae Pass, the wider of the two, offers diverse diving experiences characterized by its impressive topography, vibrant coral ecosystems, and thrilling drift dives. Divers frequently encounter vast schools of fish and numerous sharks here. The strong currents on incoming tides create an exhilarating environment, propelling divers through the pass alongside the abundant marine life. Despite the potential for strong currents, various gullies within the pass provide distinct routes, ensuring a dynamic and ever-changing underwater journey. The dive sites within Garuae Pass are celebrated for their pristine hard corals and an astonishing quantity of marine inhabitants. Beyond the sheer numbers, divers can observe specific behaviors, such as nurse sharks resting under overhangs and large Napoleon wrasse. The visibility within the pass is often excellent, enhancing the spectacle of the thriving ecosystem. Fakarava's commitment to marine protection, including a ban on shark feeding, further preserves the natural integrity of these encounters. While the north hosts the main airport and several dive centers, catering to both beginners in the calmer lagoon and experienced divers in the pass, it is crucial for divers to be comfortable with current and maintain close proximity to their guides. The incoming tide typically offers the most dramatic shark action, making morning dives particularly exciting. The outgoing tide provides a different, often c

Dive site facts: North Pass - Fakarava

Depth

8–25 m

Current

Strong, tidal-dependent

Visibility

10–30 m

Water temperature

26–29°C

Entry

Drift / Live drop

Level

Advanced recommended, current experience essential

Dive type

Drift, pelagic, shark encounters

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Fakarava, Tuamotu Archipelago

Coordinates

-16.05, -145.6167

Conditions & Currents

The Garuae Pass is renowned for its strong, tidal-dependent currents. Dives are typically planned around the incoming tide for maximum pelagic activity and exhilarating drift experiences. Divers should be comfortable with strong currents and able to perform efficient fin kicks. Staying close to the dive guide is essential, as the currents can quickly carry divers through various gullies within the wide pass.

Marine life & sighting chances

Grey reef shark

Year-round · common

Blacktip reef shark

Year-round · common

Whitetip reef shark

Year-round · common

Lemon shark

Year-round · occasional

Napoleon wrasse

common

Eagle ray

occasional

Manta ray

occasional

Grouper

June–July · common

Parrotfish

common

Surgeonfish

common

Damselfish

common

Barracuda

common

Tuna

occasional

Turtles

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving the Garuae Pass primarily involves drift dives, with the specific route dictated by the incoming tide for optimal pelagic action. Divers typically begin with a negative entry from the boat directly into the current on the outer reef side of the pass. The current then sweeps divers into the pass, often through specific gullies like "Alibaba" or "Le Twins." During the drift, you'll pass over vibrant hard coral reefs and observe massive schools of fish and a 'wall' of grey reef sharks in the blue. Dive masters will guide you to areas where you can hook onto the reef to observe sharks without damaging corals. Depth progression is usually shallow to moderate, often staying above 25 meters, making it accessible even for divers comfortable with drift. The dive concludes inside the calmer lagoon, where the safety stop is performed before ascent and pickup by the support boat.

Underwater photography

Capturing the intense pelagic action and vast schools of fish in Garuae Pass requires wide-angle lenses. A rectilinear wide-angle is ideal for showcasing the sheer numbers of sharks and the expansive coral landscapes. Given the often strong currents, a robust, streamlined camera setup is beneficial. External strobes are recommended to bring out the vibrant colors of the corals and marine life, especially in deeper sections or when shooting against the sun. Practice good buoyancy control to avoid contact with the pristine reefs, particularly when holding position against the current. Be mindful of ethical behavior around marine life, especially sharks; avoid chasing or disturbing them. The excellent visibility provides ample opportunities for dramatic ambient light shots, but strobes enhance the dynamic range and color saturation of subjects, from massive schools of bigeye trevally to individual Napoleon wrasse.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• South Pass - Fakarava

  Known for its 'wall of sharks' and incredible grouper spawning events.

• Fakarava - Ohotu Reef

  An inner reef site offering calmer conditions and diverse reef life.

• Rangiroa - The Aquarium

  A popular shallow drift site inside Rangiroa's pass, ideal for vibrant reef fish.

• Tikehau - Tuheiava Pass

  Offers thrilling drift dives and diverse shark encounters in another Tuamotu atoll.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Fakarava typically begins with a flight to Faa'a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete, Tahiti. From Papeete, a 70-minute connecting flight will take you to Fakarava's domestic airport. Alternatively, you can fly from Rangiroa Airport (RGI), which is a 30-minute flight. Most dive operations in the north of Fakarava, near the airport, will arrange transfers from your accommodation to their dive shops, usually a short car ride. Dive centers often organize two dives per day, frequently in the morning to align with optimal incoming tides. While some lodges might not have in-house dive operations, nearby centers are readily available. An itinerary combining Fakarava with other Tuamotu atolls like Rangiroa requires careful planning due to Air Tahiti's inter-island flight schedules, which may necessitate an overnight stay in Papeete on certain days.

Safety & environment

The nearest recompression chamber is located in Papeete, Tahiti, highlighting the importance of cautious diving practices in Fakarava. In the event of a dive emergency, evacuation to Papeete would be necessary, making comprehensive dive insurance with medical evacuation coverage essential. The primary site-specific hazard in Garuae Pass is the strong, unpredictable current. Divers must be comfortable with drift diving techniques, maintain excellent buoyancy control, and stay close to their dive guide to avoid being separated. Entry is often a negative entry, requiring immediate descent. Adhere strictly to dive briefings, and avoid touching corals or marine life, especially when hooking onto the reef for observation. French Polynesia maintains a strict ban on shark feeding, ensuring natural encounters. Always dive within your training and comfort limits.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

North Pass - Fakarava FAQ

Liveaboards diving North Pass - Fakarava

These liveaboards may visit North Pass - Fakarava on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Aqua Tiki II

French Polynesia

8 guests

$573/day

Aqua Tiki III

French Polynesia

10 guests20 m

$499/day