Fakarava Travel Guide and Deals
Fakarava is the second largest atoll in French Polynesia, located 450 km from Tahiti and takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to reach by plane. Like her big sister, Rangiroa, this atoll is famous for its exceptional dive sites, especially the north pass, which at 800m is the widest in Polynesia.
The island offers a range of small, family run pensions scattered across the vast lagoon with the majority of the population centred around the village of Rotoava in the north of the atoll and about 4km from the airport. The atoll draws most of its income from pearl farming.
There is neither bank nor ATM on the atoll so it’s best to take cash when visiting. Fakarava is a biosphere reserve of UNESCO and home to a diverse range of flora and fauna including rare crustaceans.
We love the natural, untouched beauty of the Fakarava atoll and you can’t go past the wooden tables erected in the warm lagoon waters – a perfect place to enjoy a cooling refreshment, feet in the lagoon! If you’re keen to pedal then try the 40km paved road that was constructed to welcome a visit by French President Jacques Chirac … who never actually ended up coming! It’s a quirky and unique attribute of Fakarava!
Fakarava will suit those travellers looking for a rustic & remote getaway to a pristine lagoon. Divers will enjoy the particularly diverse ecosystem with schools of barracudas, turtles, oceanic sharks and dolphins appearing all year. A highlight from July to October is the Manta Rays!
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Lisa organised for our family a perfect trip to Rangiroa. We stayed in a beautiful overwater bungalow and pool villa for our teenagers. We were impressed by Lisa's knowledge of French Polynesia and the connecting flights from Australia. Would highly recommend!
Fakarava FAQs
View AllFakarava lies southeast of Rangiroa. If you’re travelling from Tahiti, this huge atoll is 488 kilometres (303 miles) northeast of the main island.
There are several weekly direct flights from Papeete or Bora Bora to Fakarava.
Flights from Papeete take an hour and 10 minutes. But if you fly from Bora Bora, you’ll reach Fakarava in about two and a half hours.
You can arrange transportation to your accommodations from Fakarava airport. Walking is the best way to get around the islet, but other available modes of transportation include open-air rental cars, bicycles and boats.
The atoll has numerous Tahitian guesthouses, sailboat cruises, rental lodges, and campsites for you to stay at. Fakarava also has several private hotels, such as Relais Marama, Motu Aito Paradise, Kaipolanie Garden and Pension Paparara.
Farakava’s lagoon is known for being a UNESCO biosphere reserve, with its incredibly clear waters, endemic protected species and unspoiled environment.
Diving and snorkelling are popular activities in Fakarava. If you want to stay dry, you can visit the islet’s pink sand beach, a pearl farm or take an evening trip to the reef flats.
Garuae Pass offers discovery dives for beginners and sporty conditions for experienced divers. Meanwhile, Shark’s Hole in Tumakohua Pass is a well-known Fakarava diving site home to abundant shark populations.
Massive, luminous coral heads are a common sight in Fakarava’s waters. You may also spot various types of sharks and manta rays roaming the islet’s diving locations.
About 800 people reside on the island in the two villages of Rotoava and Tetamanu.
