Rangiroa Atoll
Rangiroa
One of the world's largest atolls, its vast lagoon ringed by hundreds of small islets. The Tiputa Pass dives, with dolphins and shark schools, make it a pilgrimage site for divers.
Rangiroa, in the Tuamotu Archipelago, is one of the largest atolls in the world. Some 240-odd narrow coral islets form a ring about 200 km in circumference, enclosing a lagoon of more than 1,400 square km, so large that you cannot see the far shore from one side. The highlight is the passage between the lagoon and the open ocean. The most famous, Tiputa Pass, has strong tidal currents. Divers drift with the flow and may encounter bottlenose dolphins, grey reef sharks, eagle rays and manta rays, and in season great hammerhead sharks. Many dive magazines have ranked it among the world's best dive sites. Non-divers can watch dolphins leap from the viewing platform at the pass entrance. The Blue Lagoon (Lagon Bleu) and pink-sand beaches are popular day trips. The island is also home to a rare coral-atoll vineyard that produces Tahitian wine. Getting there: Air Tahiti flies from Tahiti in about 1 hour. Accommodation on the island is mainly family guesthouses (pensions) and a few resorts. Note: drifting through the pass requires diving experience, with Advanced Open Water certification or above recommended. ATMs and shops on the island are limited, so bring cash.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Île aux Récifs
- Tiputa Village
- Tiputa Pass
- Gauguin's Pearl Farm
- Vin de Tahiti Winery
- Avatoru Village
- Avatoru Pass
- Lagon Bleu (Blue Lagoon)