Tikehau Lagoon
Lagon de Tikehau
A nearly circular lagoon about 26 km across, its water shifting from emerald to deep blue and teeming with fish. Full-day boat trips link bird islands, snorkelling spots and a picnic on a small island.
Tikehau's lagoon is ringed by a chain of coconut-palm islets, with only one channel on the west side connecting it to the open sea. Inside, the water is calm and clear. The Cousteau team once said its fish density ranked among the highest in the Tuamotus. The most popular outing is the full-day lagoon tour run by hotels. Boats take you to the bird islands to watch seabirds, then you snorkel over coral gardens to see parrotfish and manta rays. At midday you grill fish and drink coconut on an uninhabited islet, and in the afternoon you stroll the sandbars, where small sharks often swim past your feet. Full-day tours usually include lunch and snorkelling gear, and should be booked a day in advance.
Opening hours
All day (boat cruises approx. 09:00–16:00)