About The Step
The Step is an advanced to expert-level dive site located in the middle of Rangiroa's Tiputa Pass, specifically on the ocean side. This deep dive ranges between 45 and 55 meters (147 and 180 feet), making it suitable only for highly experienced divers. The site is particularly famous during the months of January, February, and March, which mark the season for large great hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna mokarran). Divers frequently encounter these majestic predators, along with schools of eagle rays. The depth and strong currents demand excellent dive skills and experience in managing challenging conditions. One of the unique aspects of The Step is the opportunity to witness large aggregations of stingrays, which gather in unison to deter attacks from hungry great hammerheads. This creates a spectacular natural drama unfolding in the deep blue. The dive typically begins in the ocean and concludes with a drift into the lagoon, similar to other pass dives in Rangiroa, offering a thrilling and unforgettable encounter with some of the ocean's most impressive inhabitants.
Highlights
Deep wall diveGreat hammerhead shark seasonEagle ray crossingsStingray aggregationsChallenging current conditions
Dive site facts: The Step
- Depth
- 45–55 m
- Current
- Ripping
- Entry
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Level
- Expert
- Dive type
- Wall, Reef
- Region / port
- French Polynesia
- Coordinates
- 15.0315° S, 147.7408° W
Conditions & Currents
Very strong, ripping currents can run here; only experienced drift divers should dive this site. Dive profiles here run between roughly 45 and 55 metres, so plan your gas and no-decompression limits around the deeper part of the site. It is usually briefed as a dive for expert divers. It can be dived from a liveaboard or a day boat, depending on where you start the trip. Because the flow can pick up quickly, drift profiles, a surface marker buoy and a tight group are standard practice here, and the crew's briefing always overrides any general description.
Why dive The Step from a liveaboard?
The Step 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 The Step on their French Polynesia itineraries.
Liveaboards diving The Step
These liveaboards may visit The Step 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
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