Lagoon Excursion
Venture offshore, across sun-warmed waters to a
deserted islet, taking time to snorkel and view the amazing marine
life. Enjoy a beach barbecue made even more delicious by the soft
sea breezes and gentle murmuring of the lagoon.
On a lagoon excursion you will get a chance to see why these 'strands
of pearls' in the South Pacific have beckoned artists and adventurers
for centuries. Bring your sunscreen and hat and your reef walkers
and be prepared to don a mask and snorkel!
 Rangiroa
The Blue Lagoon is an hour's boat ride from the village of
Avatoru over to Taeo'o motu. Basically the motu is a gigantic natural
aquarium. The surrounding motus are home to rare birds, including
the Vini ultramarine parakeet. Towards the very southwest part of
the atoll are the Pink Sands ("Les Sables Roses"). Bring
a camera to capture the natural pallet of pink sand, turquoise lagoon
and blue sky. A visit here is usually combined with a stop at The
Island of the Reef, ("Ile au Récif") where raised coral
formations create a dazzling tidepool environment.
Manihi
Black pearl farms are scattered all over Manihi. Look for lone bungalows
perched on stilts over the water. A series of poles jutting from
the water's indicates the presence of a fish park, where which locals
do subsistence fish farming.
Manihi provides a real Robinson Crusoe-type adventure. Starting
out from the village of Turipaoa, you'll motor through secluded
motus covered with dense vegetation. You'll notice light blue hoas,
or reef channels between the motus. The snorkeling is world-class,
and you don't have to be an experienced diver to have an encounter
with a giant manta ray. If time permits, your driver may take you
past the remaining maraes in the south and north of the atoll.
 Tikehau
Tikehau's circular reef, just 16 miles across, is dotted with tiny
motus. Many of these are home to rare and endangered bird species.
One such motu in the north has even earned the name "Iles Aux Oiseaux,"
or Bird Island. Trees and and flowers adorn the white and pink sands
of Tikehau. The snorkeling can only be described as other-worldly,
with thousands of brightly-colored reef fishes. You'll pass the
main village of Tuherahera, with its profusion of flowers, and Maiaia,
where copra is produced.
Fakarava
Along with six neighboring atolls, Fakarava is part of a UNESCO
classified biosphere. Robert Louis Stevenson paints a telling picture
of the staggering beauty of the lagoon in his 19th century book,
In the South Seas. Today visitors can see rare species like
the Tuamotus Palm, the kingfisher, mantis-shrimp and sea squills.
For a really rare treat, your driver will stop at the "Sea Slug
Smoke House," where the Asian delicacy is prepared. Another unique
sight is the old catholic church, made completely from coral, in
the village of Tetamanu. |
