Rangiroa: a Polynesian stopover not to be missed to admire the underwater fauna

Diving in the "aquarium" of Rangiroa © Julie Leveugle

Are you a fan of underwater discoveries? Rangiroa is for you! The largest atoll in French Polynesia has a rich and diverse natural marine heritage. Here are some tips to make the most of your stopover on a sailboat and discover an extraordinary aquatic life

Anchorage in front of Ohotu village

After entering Tiputa Pass at the time of the incoming current, you are almost there. On the west side of the pass is the village of Ohotu and in front of it a large anchorage area that can accommodate dozens of boats. The water is transparent and the fish are already numerous.

Atoll de Rangiroa en Polynésie Française ©Julie Leveugle
Rangiroa atoll in French Polynesia ©Julie Leveugle
Emplacement de la zone de mouillage ©Julie Leveugle
Location of the mooring area ©Julie Leveugle

Almost every day, a large liner at anchor spills its passengers for a few hours ashore. Tahitian dances and yukulélé concerts, ephemeral tents to exhibit local crafts and sell beads, pareos and shell jewelryâeuros¦ everything is planned!

 Rue principale dans le village d'Ohotu ©Julie Leveugle
Main street in Ohotu village ©Julie Leveugle

Discovery of the pearl culture on the motu

To find a little authenticity and discover the richness of the territory, borrow a bike and go on an adventure on the motu. On the way to Avatoru, the only road offers many viewpoints, sometimes on the lagoon side, sometimes on the ocean side.

A few kilometers after the village, a pearl farm offers tours and explains the principles of pearl farming. Presentation of the facilities and the necessary equipment, demonstration of graftingâeuros¦ You will discover how each year, more than 100,000 cultured pearls are produced in the lagoon of Rangiroa.

Visite d'une ferme perlière ©Julie Leveugle
Visit of a pearl farm ©Julie Leveugle

Dolphin show in Tiputa

On the other side of the pass, the village of Tiputa is far from the tourist trails. Join it by dinghy and enjoy the coastal walk to admire the horizon. You may see dolphins: the Tiputa channel is a real playground for them, they often surf in the waves and make impressive jumps.

Vue sur la passe Tiputa ©Julie Leveugle
View of the Tiputa pass ©Julie Leveugle

Underwater exploration in the "aquarium

Near the line that serves as a marker to take the Tiputa pass, behind a small island, is the "aquarium". You can moor your boat directly on the site, on one of the moorings provided. Then, put on your flippers, mask, snorkel and dive in the aquatic path to discover the corals and fishesâ?¦

Beaucoup d'espèces de poissons dans l' "aquarium" ©Julie Leveugle
Many species of fish in the "aquarium" ©Julie Leveugle

6 numbered buoys float signs and allow divers to identify nasons, jacks, surgeons, damsels, parrots, black tip sharks... The fishes are numerous and not very shy, they come to see the divers and not the other way around!

 Plongée dans l' "aquarium" ©Julie Leveugle
Diving in the "aquarium" ©Julie Leveugle

For more experienced divers, it is also possible to take advantage of the current entering the Tiputa pass to make a drift dive: the opportunity to observe the bottom falling very fast, bigger fish following the movement of the swell and bigger sharks.

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