Dive Site: Tikehau - Shark Pit

About Tikehau - Shark Pit

Tikehau, a tranquil atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago near Rangiroa, is renowned for its vibrant marine life, so much so that Jacques Cousteau once declared its lagoon the most fish-rich in French Polynesia. Measuring 25 kilometers wide and no more than 30 meters deep, the lagoon resembles an underwater aquarium. The atoll is characterized by tiny white and pink sand islets, offering both serene beauty and exhilarating dive opportunities. The dive site known as Shark Pit in Tikehau is likely referring to Tuheiava Pass, the sole navigable entry into Tikehau's lagoon on its western side, where the best diving is concentrated. This pass features a dynamic environment with strong currents, attracting a diverse range of marine megafauna. It's known for significant schools of barracudas, snapper, and tuna, alongside graceful eagle rays and curious dolphins. The topography includes large coral formations that host a multitude of smaller reef fish like parrotfish, triggerfish, grouper, big-eye jacks, and lionfish. The Shark Pit truly lives up to its name with an abundance of sharks, including grey reef sharks, silvertips, and whitetips. More impressively, divers frequently encounter great hammerhead sharks and even occasional tiger sharks in these waters. Graceful manta rays are also regular visitors, often seen at cleaning stations within the lagoon. Diving here offers dramatic drift experiences, particularly during incoming currents when marine life gathers. This site is suitable for divers seeking high-adrenaline encounters with large pelagic species.

Dive site facts: Tikehau - Shark Pit

Depth

20–50 m

Current

Moderate

Visibility

30–40 m+

Water temperature

26–29°C

Entry

Boat

Level

Advanced

Dive type

Wall, cave, shark encounter

Region / port

Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia

Coordinates

-14.96, -148.23

Conditions & Currents

The Shark Pit is an oceanic dive site, and while currents can be moderate, especially around deeper sections of the reef where it's located, they are generally manageable for experienced divers. Visibility at Tikehau is consistently excellent, often exceeding 30-40 meters, though heavy rain can temporarily reduce it near shore. Entry to the site is exclusively by boat, requiring careful descent planning to reach the cave system. Divers should be mindful of depth and bottom time, especially when exploring the deeper reaches of the pit, and maintain good buoyancy control to avoid disturbing the resident sharks.

Marine life & sighting chances

Grey reef shark

common

Tuna

occasional

Marlin

occasional

Tiger shark

January to June · rare

Great hammerhead shark

January to June · rare

Marine turtle

Year round · occasional

Dolphin

Year round · occasional

Schooling reef fish

Year round · common

Lemon shark

occasional

Silky shark

occasional

Nurse shark

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving the Shark Pit typically begins with a boat drop directly over the site. Divers descend along the reef wall to explore the vertical cave, which starts around 20 meters and extends to depths of 50 meters or more. The primary focus is observing the resident grey reef sharks within the pit's recesses. Divers will navigate carefully, often staying at depths between 20-30 meters to maximize bottom time and safety while still observing the sharks. The dive concludes with a gradual ascent along the reef, performing a safety stop before surfacing for boat pick-up.

Underwater photography

The Shark Pit provides dramatic opportunities for wide-angle photography, capturing the imposing vertical cave and schools of sharks. A strong strobe is essential to illuminate the subjects and bring out the vibrant colors in the deeper, darker sections of the pit. Due to the potential for deeper diving and limited ambient light, high ISO settings or external lighting will be beneficial. Maintain excellent buoyancy to avoid stirring up sediment or disturbing marine life within the confined spaces. Respect the sharks' natural environment by avoiding intrusive flash photography or sudden movements that could startle them.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Tikehau - Tuheiava Pass

  A popular drift dive with abundant fish schools and various shark species.

• Rangiroa - The Aquarium

  A shallow, protected lagoon site teeming with small reef fish.

• Rangiroa - Tiputa Pass

  Renowned for thrilling drift dives and frequent encounters with pelagic species, including hammerhead sharks.

• South Pass - Fakarava

  Famous for its 'wall of sharks' and seasonal grouper spawning.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Tikehau typically involves flying into Pape’ete (PPT) on Tahiti, then taking a domestic flight with Air Tahiti to Tikehau Airport. Many visitors combine Tikehau with other Tuamotu atolls like Rangiroa or Fakarava, utilizing multi-island air passes for cost-effective travel. Dive trips generally range from 3 to 7 days, often integrated into longer French Polynesia itineraries. There are no specific marine park fees for this site, but daily dive operator charges apply. Accommodations on Tikehau are mostly resorts or guesthouses, providing boat transfers to dive sites.

Safety & environment

The nearest recompression chamber is located in Pape’ete, Tahiti, highlighting the importance of cautious diving practices in this remote region. Evacuation in a medical emergency would be complex and time-consuming, necessitating robust dive insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and air evacuation. Divers should be advanced certified with experience in deep dives and current. Adhere strictly to depth and no-decompression limits, and always dive with a guide. Respect marine life, particularly sharks, by observing from a safe distance and avoiding provocative actions.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Tikehau - Shark Pit FAQ

Liveaboards diving Tikehau - Shark Pit

These liveaboards may visit Tikehau - Shark Pit on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Aqua Tiki II

French Polynesia

8 guests

$571/day

Aqua Tiki III

French Polynesia

10 guests20 m

$497/day