Rangiroa : the infinite lagoon

Rangiroa, “the big sky” in the Puamotu language, is one of those atolls that one dreams about without really believing that it exists. One of those fantasy worlds at the door of Utopia when the imagination travels far, far away... but not far away enough however to represent this ribbon of islets fringed with coconut trees, gathered around a turquoise-blue lagoon that could enclose the whole island of Tahiti and whose depths shelter unusual marine life.

The waters of Rangiroa are abundant with sea life which congregates near the Avarotu Pass, famous for its manta rays, and the Tiputa Pass, also known as “100-Shark Pass”.

In her crystal-clear waters, the shimmering sun rays illuminate thousands of multicolored fish which populate the lagoon: parrot
fish, jack fish, butterfly fish, moray eels, clown fish, all swimming alongside sea turtles, white tip (“tapete”) and gray sharks.
The exhilaration continues until sunset with large dolphins dancing in the waves and for the luckiest, the soul-stirring songs of whales coming from the abyssal depths.

Rangiroa is known around the world for being divers’ paradise, but it also offers a large panel of activities such as excursions to “the pink sands”, a wonderful place for swimming, or a boat trip to Taeo, known for the presence of blue budgerigars, or even to the coral reef, made of emmerged coral stones called “feo”

Rangiroa is the largest atoll in French Polynesia. With its dream beaches and coral reefs, it was ranked by Commander
Jacques Cousteau as one of the finest and richest in the world.

A world famous deep-sea diving paradise, beginners and accomplished divers alike will be amazed by the abundant underwater fauna and the diversity of sites- from lagoons and passes to reef drop-offs out in the ocean.

You can enjoy “Robinson” (Crusoe) cruises onboard luxury catamarans or diving tours on specially equipped boats.

A wide range of water activities are enjoyed in this enchanting setting: explore the sea-bed by glass-bottomed boat; ride in an outboard canoe on the “blue lagoon”; discover genuine, giant, natural, marine habitats; snorkel the coral gardens; meet the dolphins; travel to the island’s reefs; discover the “pink sand” beaches and fishing on the open sea.

The two passes, Tiputa and Avatoru, which bear the same name as their adjacent villages, are the gateways to the ocean. The inhabitants of the atoll work on the pearl farms, fish, collect copra, or collect shells for making necklaces.

Several flights a day (a 1 hour flight) and regular cargo boats (several sailings per week from Tahiti, a 24 hour voyage).

Health: 1 infirmary.
Banks: 2 “Banque Socredo”, 1 “Banque de Tahiti”.