Tropical Diving - Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia

Itinerary

Please use this itinerary as a guide only. In addition to the atolls mentioned in the itinerary, the Tuamotu group offers many additional atolls. Weather/sea conditions will dictate our final itinerary.

Day 1: Departure Los Angeles
A group flight (still to be confirmed) will depart Los Angeles today. Flight time from Los Angeles to Papeete, Tahiti is 7 ½ hours and local time in Papeete is 3 hours behind Pacific daylight time. Upon arrival in Papeete you will be transferred to a local Papeete hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to shop and dine in local establishments such as the highly recommended "Casablanca" restaurant.

Day 2: Papeete / Embark RV Akademik Shokalskiy
A transfer will be organized early afternoon from your hotel to the vessel. We will cast off the lines early evening and set sail for the Tuamotu group.

Days 3 - 4: Tikehau Atoll
This morning you will wake up at Tikehau Atoll, 185 miles to the northwest of Tahiti. Tikehau is one of the most beautiful atolls in Polynesia and forms an almost unbroken circle 16 miles across, creating a unique ecosystem with an incredible diversity of fish. It boasts exotic pink coral sand beaches, a large pass and a series of natural islets, only the largest of which (at half a mile wide!) is inhabited. Tikehau is an important supplier of fresh fish and copra to the island of Tahiti.

We will dive the Tuheiava Pass where schools of manta ray dance alongside a parade of barracudas, sea turtles, tunas, multicolored coral fish and the ubiquitous reef sharks. This diverse island is also home to a number of bird colonies that have sought refuge on the aptly named "Isle of Birds". We will visit the charming village of Thresher, which swathed in flowers, is nestled at the end of this large motu. Tikehau atoll offers the wonderful opportunity to discover the traditional Tuamotu way of life.

Days 5 - 7: Rangiroa Atoll
Situated only 8 miles from Tikehau the next few days will be spent at Rangiroa (meaning "huge sky"), the world's second largest atoll. Shaped like a large pearl necklace, Rangiroa is a ring of low land creating an endless lagoon of deep turquoise and blue. As there is no freshwater runoff from the motus, the visibility in the lagoon is often over 150 feet and a constant 80 degrees temperature. The famous Tiputa Pass, rich with sea life provides an opening to the ocean. Tiputa Pass is known as one of the world's greatest shark dives, and those who "shoot the pass" will find themselves in the deep blue with literally hundreds of grey, black-tip, white-tip, lemon and nurse sharks. For the non-divers, snorkeling in all of these locations is world-class and in particular here at Tiputa Pass there is the chance for snorkellers to see schools of dolphins that gather in the pass.

Days 8 - 9: Apataki Atoll
Discovered by the Dutch navigator Roggeven in 1722, Apataki is 370 kms northeast of the island of Tahiti. The atoll is rectangular in shape and a major center for pearl farming development. From this atoll a small amount of fish is exported to Tahiti as well as copra and "noni" juice, an exported exotic health elixir.

Several dives will be conducted on this atoll, of which only some are recommended for the experienced divers only. A number of dives will be conducted in a narrow canyon where there are very strong currents but it is here that you can view and photograph hundreds of grey reef sharks hanging in the current.

Day 10: Toau Atoll
Toau is almost uninhabited and has three lovely passes very close to each other, offering exciting dives with a profusion of pristine underwater life. We will spend the day on this small but highly recommended motu.

Day 11: Kauehi Atoll
On all our expeditions we include time for visits to sites which are a little "off the beaten track" and Kauehi is one of these. The pass of Kauehi is exceptional as the bottom is a huge amphitheater with many underwater caves and coral formations. This pass is definitely one of the most interesting and dramatic in the Tuamotus because of the underwater scenery and the abundant and varied fauna.

Days 12 - 14: Fakarava Atoll
Fakarava is the second largest atoll in French Polynesia, after Rangiroa. This protected atoll, along with its six neighboring islands is listed with UNESCO as a World Heritage Area. The delicate ecosystem on Fakarava supports rare flora, fauna and sea life such as squills and sea cicadas. Fakarava also contains one of the first Catholic churches constructed in French Polynesia.

Here we will dive the pass of Tumokahua adjacent to the atoll village of Tetamanu. Again you will be amongst a fauna such as manta rays, gray sharks, white tip sharks, huge napoleon wrasse and grouper. This is a great dive perfect for all levels of divers.

To the northeast of Fakarava we intend to dive the large pass of Garuae, the biggest pass in Polynesia. This is a more challenging dive area featuring strong currents and huge rewards. The fauna in this pass is remarkably dense and varied with a great variety and abundance of sharks.

In these heavenly surroundings, the calm lagoon and peaceful village offer the perfect backdrop for sunset drinks. It is from here we heave anchor and head southwest back to Papeete. A traditional Shokalskiy expedition barbeque will be held on the bow to farewell the Islands of the Tuamotus.

Day 15: Papeete / Disembark RV Akademik Shokalskiy
Breakfast will be served on board and we will then transfer you to Papeete airport for your ongoing flights.

If you require more information or wish to confirm your participation please contact belinda@deepoceanexpeditions.com

French Polynesia Dive Expedition (PDF)