Dive Site: Ohotu

About Ohotu

Ohotu is a dive site located in the northern part of Fakarava Atoll, French Polynesia, specifically situated on one side of the massive Garuae Pass. This area is renowned for its exceptional marine biodiversity and pristine conditions, thanks to Fakarava's status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The site is characterized by a richly colored coral wall that descends into deeper waters, teeming with life. Diving at Ohotu typically involves navigating along this impressive coral wall, where divers can experience a significant drift due to the strong currents flowing through the pass. The topography includes canyons and chasms, providing varied habitats for marine species. The visibility here is consistently excellent, often exceeding 30 meters, allowing for clear views of the expansive underwater scenery and distant pelagic encounters. Key marine encounters include massive schools of various fish, numerous shark species, and occasional sightings of manta rays and dolphins. A notable event in the region is the marbled grouper spawning from mid-June to early July, which dramatically increases the shark population in the passes. The reef itself is in excellent condition, showcasing diverse corals, including magnificent yellow varieties. This site is primarily suited for drift diving, especially when the currents are running. Divers can expect a dynamic experience, transitioning from ocean currents into the calmer waters of the lagoon. The dive often concludes by drifting into the lagoon's interior, sometimes reaching specific formations like the Alibaba Cave, known for its concentrated marine activity.

Dive site facts: Ohotu

Depth

Up to 29 m

Current

Strong (drift)

Visibility

30–40 m, excellent

Water temperature

26–29°C (79–84°F)

Entry

Boat

Level

Experienced divers recommended

Dive type

Drift, wall, pelagic, coral garden

Region / port

Fakarava, Tuamotu Archipelago

Coordinates

16.0270° S, 145.2390° W

Conditions & Currents

Ohotu is primarily a drift dive site, directly impacted by the strong currents of the Garuae Pass. Dives are typically planned to coincide with incoming currents, which can be swift, offering an exhilarating "flying" sensation. Conditions can be rough during re-entry into the lagoon if currents are changing, requiring divers to actively hold onto coral to avoid being swept away. Divers must be prepared for variable current strengths, which attract large pelagic species and necessitate good buoyancy control and streamlined gear. Visibility remains excellent despite strong currents, often 30-40 meters. Slack tide is considered an optimal time for certain dives as the current begins to pull into the lagoon, creating conditions favorable for observing large schools of fish.

Marine life & sighting chances

Grey Reef Shark

Year-round, peak June/July · common

White-tip Shark

common

Barracuda

common

Surgeonfish

common

Napoleon Wrasse

occasional

Dolphin

occasional

Manta Ray

July-September · occasional

Goatfish

common

Marlin

rare

Nurse Shark

occasional

Turtle

occasional

Marbled Grouper

Mid-June to Early July · occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Ohotu typically commence with a boat entry onto the reef near the Garuae Pass. You begin by cruising along the Ohotu Cliff, a vibrant coral garden, often at a depth of around 29 meters, while remaining vigilant for walls of sharks patrolling the reef. The dive progresses with the prevailing incoming current, leading you from the ocean into the lagoon. This drift can be exceptionally fast, akin to flying, and requires divers to be prepared to hold onto coral if necessary. As you drift, you will pass over canyons and through smaller chasms. The dive often concludes deeper inside the lagoon, with a common endpoint being the Alibaba Cave, a known area for concentrated marine life. Safety stops are conducted as the current naturally weakens inside the lagoon, often near the bottom of a canyon or within a calmer area.

Underwater photography

Capturing the dynamic environment of Ohotu requires a versatile setup. Wide-angle lenses are essential for photographing the massive schools of fish, the impressive coral wall, and the large numbers of sharks encountered in the pass. Given the strong currents, excellent buoyancy control is paramount to avoid stirring up sediment and to maintain stable shots. For macro opportunities, such as observing specific coral details or smaller reef inhabitants, a macro lens could be beneficial, especially during calmer moments or in the lagoon's interior. Strobes are valuable for bringing out the vibrant colors of the corals and marine life, particularly in deeper sections or against the bright open water. Always prioritize respectful interaction with marine life, ensuring not to chase or disturb subjects, especially during sensitive moments like encounters with large pelagics or sleeping nurse sharks.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Garuae Pass

  The largest pass in French Polynesia, offering dynamic drift dives with abundant pelagic life and shark encounters.

• Alibaba

  Often the endpoint of drift dives through Garuae Pass, known for its dense marine life and sheltered cave.

• Maiuru

  Another dive site located on the opposite side of the Garuae Pass, sharing similar wall diving characteristics and marine life encounters.

• Pufana

  A calmer lagoon dive site, ideal for beginners, offering superb visibility and rich coral gardens with minimal current.

• Passe Tumakohua

  Located in the south of Fakarava, a smaller pass known for incredible life, including hundreds of sharks during grouper breeding season.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Ohotu, situated in Fakarava Atoll, begins with international flights to Tahiti (PPT) from major hubs like Paris, San Francisco, or Los Angeles. From Tahiti, you take a domestic flight to Fakarava (FAV) with Air Tahiti, which operates 2 to 3 times weekly. Travelers planning to visit multiple islands can benefit from a multi-island pass, such as the Air Tahiti "Lagons pass." Liveaboards are recommended for experiencing sites like Ohotu, with typical itineraries lasting 7 to 10 nights. Alternatively, land-based resorts in Fakarava also offer daily dive trips, especially to the northern pass sites. Booking Fakarava dive trips at least 9 months to a year in advance is advisable, especially if aiming for specific seasonal events.

Safety & environment

Diving at Ohotu, with its strong currents in the Garuae Pass, demands strict adherence to dive safety protocols. Divers must have appropriate certifications, with an Advanced certificate or Open Water with 30 logged dives generally required for liveaboards in French Polynesia. Experienced divers are recommended due to the challenging current conditions. Always follow local dive guide instructions meticulously, as they are experts in navigating these dynamic environments. Buoyancy control is critical. While a specific nearest recompression chamber is not detailed in the sources, it is understood that emergency medical evacuation to a facility in Tahiti would be the protocol. Comprehensive dive insurance covering emergency medical care and evacuation is essential for all divers in this remote region. French Polynesia maintains strict dive-safety and environmental regulations, including depth limits around 30m unless higher qualifications are held.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Ohotu FAQ

Liveaboards diving Ohotu

These liveaboards may visit Ohotu 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