Tumakohua Pass (South Pass)
Passe Tumakohua
Fakarava’s most famous dive site, where hundreds of grey reef sharks gather in the channel to form a “shark wall.” It is widely regarded as one of the world’s top diving spots.
Passe Tumakohua is only about 200 m wide and 30 m deep. When the tide rises, open ocean water flows into the lagoon, and hundreds of grey reef sharks gather here regularly, forming the “shark wall” famous in diving circles. Around the full moon in June and July, tens of thousands of grouper spawn here, drawing sharks to feed. Coral cover in the channel is very high. Snorkellers can also see reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse and parrotfish near the dock at Tetamanu village. From Rotoava, a speedboat takes about 1.5–2 hours. Most trips are day tours that include lunch, or you can stay at guesthouses in Tetamanu. Diving requires an advanced certification and must be done with a dive shop. Enter the water according to the tide schedule.
Opening hours
Open all day (depends on tides)
Nearby sights
- Tetamanu Village
- Les Sables Roses (Pink Sand Beach)
- Hirifa Beach
- Fakarava Pearl Farm
- Rotoava Village
- Topaka Lighthouse
- PK9 Beach
- Garuae Pass (North Pass)