Aqua Tiki II

Location: French Polynesia

Rating: 4.6/5 (31 reviews)

Aqua Tiki II

About Aqua Tiki II

The 18-meter Aqua Tiki II offers targeted dive expeditions through French Polynesia's varied marine environments, accommodating 8 guests.

French Polynesia's marine environment is defined by its dual character: the calm, protected waters inside its atolls and the high-energy ocean passes that connect them to the open Pacific. This dynamic water exchange supports robust coral ecosystems and attracts significant pelagic life. Divers frequently encounter aggregations of grey reef sharks, lemon sharks, and manta rays, particularly within the channels where currents concentrate nutrients. The Aqua Tiki II, an 18-meter catamaran, is dimensioned for small-group exploration of these remote atolls, offering a functional platform to access both shallow coral gardens and the demanding drift dives of the passes. Diving operations are organized for efficiency and access to specific tidal windows. All dives are conducted from a dedicated tender, enabling precise drop-offs at the mouth of the atoll passes to maximize drift dive profiles. The main deck includes designated rinse tanks for camera and dive equipment, with sufficient storage to maintain an organized space. Dives are led by experienced guides who are proficient in navigating the region's strong currents and locating its iconic marine animals. The dive team's primary focus is on managing safe underwater excursions in what can be a very active environment. Life aboard the Aqua Tiki II is centered around an intimate and functional atmosphere for a maximum of eight guests. The vessel contains three cabins, all equipped with air conditioning and private en-suite bathrooms. Accommodation includes a standard double cabin, a twin cabin for individuals, and a VIP double cabin that features its own in-room media center for private entertainment. Social activity takes place in the indoor salon, on the shaded aft deck where meals are served, or on the forward trampolines, which provide an open-air space for relaxation and observation between dives. The culinary program on board is structured to support long, active days of diving. The galley provides a consistent schedule of meals, featuring fresh ingredients and substantial preparations. Dining is typically served al fresco in the outdoor dining area, allowing guests to enjoy the scenery of the anchorages. Snacks and refreshments are available throughout the day. Guests with specific dietary requirements should communicate them in advance of their trip to ensure the crew can make appropriate arrangements. Constructed in 2011, the Aqua Tiki II is a purpose-built sailing catamaran measuring 18 meters in length. Its dual-hull design provides inherent stability both while navigating between atolls and when moored inside the lagoons, reducing motion and increasing guest comfort. The vessel is powered by twin 38 HP engines, providing reliable propulsion when not under sail. With a capacity for just eight divers, the boat maintains a high degree of personal space. An impressive ratio of five bathrooms to three guest cabins further enhances the onboard convenience. The vessel primarily operates itineraries through French Polynesia's Tuamotu Archipelago, with routes often focusing on the world-renowned atolls of Fakarava and Rangiroa. Schedules are planned to coincide with the best diving conditions, which are largely dictated by the lunar cycle and its effect on the tidal currents in the passes. This liveaboard is well-suited for experienced divers who are comfortable with strong currents and deep diving profiles. Its small-group format appeals to travelers seeking a focused, dive-intensive trip and who prefer a more personal group dynamic over the extensive facilities of a larger fleet vessel. The absence of onboard WiFi supports a fully disconnected experience.

Vessel Specifications

Cabins

Itineraries

Croisière Mérou — Grouper Spawning Special (15 Days / 14 Nights)

Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights

The "Croisière Mérou" follows the same Tuamotu North backbone (Fakarava → Toau → Aratika → Kauehi → Tahanea → Fakarava) but is timed around the June/July full moon for the marbled-grouper spawning aggregation in the Tetamanu (Tumakohua) pass at Fakarava South. Thousands of camouflage groupers gather in the pass, drawing hundreds of grey-reef sharks for one of the planet's most spectacular predator events. Expect repeated dives at Tetamanu during peak days, plus the usual mix of pass drifts, wall

Fakarava & Tuamotu Atolls

The remote Tuamotu Atolls of French Polynesia offer exceptional drift diving through vibrant pass channels, home to abundant shark populations and large schooling fish. This itinerary focuses on exploring several lesser-visited atolls alongside the famous Fakarava, venturing into their pristine lagoons and outer reefs. Expect opportunities to encounter grey reef sharks, rays, and pelagic species in strong currents, interspersed with calmer dives among diverse coral gardens. This journey is ideal

Tuamotu North — Fakarava Round-Trip (15 Days / 14 Nights)

Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights

Embarkation: Port of Fakarava

A two-week dream-loop through the northern Tuamotu atolls aboard the Aqua Tiki II catamaran, round-trip from Fakarava. The cruise links the famous drift dives of the Garuae and Tetamanu (Tumakohua) passes with the quieter atolls of Toau, Aratika, Kauehi and the wild lagoon of Tahanea. Expect grey-reef and silvertip sharks, manta rays, dolphins, schooling tuna and jacks in the passes, plus pearl-farm visits, pink-sand motus and deserted beaches between dives. Water 25–29 °C, exceptional visibilit

Marquesas — Short Extension (3 Days / 2 Nights)

Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights

A short Marquesas extension aboard Aqua Tiki II, designed as an add-on segment to a longer charter. Two nights at anchor in one of the dramatic Marquesan bays (typically Nuku Hiva or Hiva Oa) with snorkelling, kayak excursions and — depending on conditions and certification level — one or two dives on the volcanic walls famous for melon-headed whales, manta rays and large schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks. Itinerary kept flexible: the captain chooses sites each morning based on swell, curre

Marquises Festival — Marquesas Art Festival Cruise (16 Days / 15 Nights)

Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights

A once-every-four-years voyage timed around the Marquesas Islands Art Festival (Matava'a o te Henua 'Enana), a multi-day celebration of Marquesan dance, tattoo, sculpture and traditional music inscribed on the UNESCO heritage list. Aboard Aqua Tiki II the itinerary combines two to three days of festival on the host island (typically Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou or Hiva Oa) with sailing between the main Marquesan islands and a generous dive programme: volcanic walls, drop-offs and channels famed for melon-h

Northern Tuamotu (13 Days / 12 Nights)

Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights

A 12-night condensed version of the classic Tuamotu North loop aboard Aqua Tiki II. Round-trip from Fakarava, covering the same atoll arc (Fakarava → Toau → Aratika → Kauehi → Tahanea → Fakarava South & North) with one or two fewer days in the quieter lagoons. The highlights are unchanged: drift dives in the Garuae and Tumakohua passes, manta and dolphin encounters in Tahanea, wall dives in Aratika and pearl-farm visits. Advanced certification recommended.

Tuamotu North (Fakarava - Fakarava)

Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Embarkation: Fakarava

This 9-day cruise explores the northern atolls of the Tuamotu Archipelago, beginning and ending in Fakarava. The journey is tailored for drift diving in the famous passes, with the schedule adapting to tidal currents for the best underwater experiences. Besides diving, the trip includes land excursions to remote villages, visits to pearl farms, and various water sports. Divers can expect to encounter a rich variety of marine life, including large congregations of sharks, rays, and schooling fish

Tuamotu North (Fakarava - Fakarava)

Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

Embarkation: Fakarava, Polynesia

This 10-day round trip from Fakarava explores the northern atolls of the Tuamotu Archipelago. The itinerary includes diving in Fakarava, Tahanea, Kauehi, and Toau, with a strong focus on drift dives in the nutrient-rich passes. Divers can expect encounters with large shark populations, manta rays, dolphins, and vast schools of fish. The trip is structured around tide times to optimize for two deep, current-heavy drift dives per day, balanced with topside activities like village tours, beach excu

Tuamotu North (Fakarava - Fakarava)

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights

Embarkation: Fakarava, Polynesia

This 11-day expedition explores the northern atolls of the Tuamotu Archipelago, beginning and ending in Fakarava. The journey includes visits to the wild lagoons of Tahanea, Kauehi, and Toau, with a strong focus on tide-dependent drift diving in the famous passes. Divers can anticipate encounters with large schools of sharks, manta rays, dolphins, and barracudas. The itinerary balances diving with various topside activities, such as excursions to deserted beaches, village tours, and water sports

Tuamotu North (Fakarava - Fakarava)

Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights

Embarkation: Fakarava, Polynesia

This 12-day round-trip voyage from Fakarava explores the pristine atolls of the northern Tuamotus. The journey includes visits to Toau, Aratika, Kauehi, and Tahanea, before returning to explore both the southern and northern ends of Fakarava. The itinerary offers a blend of spectacular drift diving in shark-rich passes and diverse topside activities, such as visiting pearl farms, exploring deserted beaches, and experiencing local Polynesian culture. With approximately 20 dives, the trip is desig