Plan Your Dream Vacation in Fakarava

Published on 23 August 2023

Reading time: 4 min.

Fakarava in the Tuamotu Islands is one of the most beautiful atolls in French Polynesia. An authentic island paradise, Fakarava also has an exceptionally rich marine life. In 2016; it was classed as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

To ensure that you make the most of your stay in Fakarava, it’s a good idea to reserve your activities in advance. Picture postcard scenery, sailing trips, diving and snorkeling will fill your days with unforgettable souvenirs. Fakarava, along with six neighboring islands, is classed as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, The crystal clear waters of the second biggest lagoon in The Islands of Tahiti are an underwater wonderland for you to explore. Bon voyage!

Discover the paradise of Fakarava

We recommend that you book your vacation through a certified specialist for The Islands of Tahiti. These qualified experts have a thorough knowledge of the destination and will be able to guide you in your choice of accommodation, transport and activities. To get to Fakarava, you catch a two hour domestic flight with Air Tahiti from the same airport as for your international flight. As your plane begins its descent to Fakarava airport, look out of the window and you’ll understand why it’s considered to be perhaps the most beautiful atoll in The Islands of Tahiti.

View of marine life © Grégory Lecoeur — Shark wall © Grégory Lecoeur

Fakarava is a paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving. In the southern pass, there is a dive site called ‘the wall of sharks’. As its name indicates, it’s a place where multitudes of sharks come to rest in such great numbers that they ‘stack up’, making a veritable wall of sharks. But don’t worry, they aren’t interested in you, because they rest up during the daytime and anyway, there’s such an abundance of fish for them to eat in the waters of Fakarava. Inside the lagoon, the crystal clear water is simply teeming with tropical fish and colorful corals.

Cruising to Fakarava

To discover the beauty of Fakarava in the same way as the original Polynesian settlers did, you can opt for a cruise. These cruise companies have itineraries that include a visit to Fakarava: Paul Gauguin, Windstar, Aranui, Oceania Cruises and Variety Cruises. Alternatively, you can charter a sailboat or a catamaran and set your own course for the second biggest atoll in The Islands of Tahiti.

Boat room on a cruise © Tahiti Tourisme Gregoire LE BACON

Accommodation in Fakarava consists principally of family run Tahitian Guesthouses. We recommend that you reserve well in advance, especially during the busy peak season from mid-June to mid-July. This is also the period when camouflage groupers gather in incredible numbers to reproduce, a spectacle that attracts divers from all over the world.

Here is some practical advice for your stay in Fakarava:

– To protect life in the lagoon and the reef, use only eco-friendly suncream
– You can rent diving equipment on the island.
– Respect the environment as well as local traditions and customs

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