Rangiroa Rangiroa is unquestionably one of the finest dive locations in the world. With warm water, excellent visibility that can reach 200 feet, and a huge pelagic population, it is a paradise for any level of diver. The famous Tiputa Pass makes for great drift diving when the current is flowing from the ocean toward the lagoon. Avatoru Pass also provides great drift diving, although the scenery is not as dramatic. The silvertip sharks more than make up for this. Snorkelers can "catch a ride" on the incoming currents as well, for the unforgettable feeling of floating along with majestic sharks and graceful reef fishes. When the tide flows out toward the ocean, dives are done outside the reef edge, away from the current to avoid danger. Diving inside the lagoon is perfect for beginners and refresher courses.

Beginners The Aquarium (also known as Nuhi Nuhi) is right next to a motu inside the Tiputa Pass. Maximum depth is 33 feet, but here you'll see lots of interesting coral and every reef fish you can imagine - threadfin butterfly fish, triggerfish, parrotfish, eels, damsels, Moorish idols - you name it. At Mahuta, a natural mixing of ocean and lagoon water creates a congenial environment for both sharks and reef fishes. This site also has excellent corals. At the bottom (66 ft.), white sands intersperse with rows of coral heads to create a scene that looks like a ski area. Among the athletes are barracuda, groupers, trevallies...

Intermediate to Advanced Divers Divers come from all over the world to dive the Tiputa Pass. The drift dive (called "The Valley") is for advanced divers only, as the strong current can be unmanageable for beginners. On incoming tide, divers drop down to about 145 feet and then drift through the pass on the current, coming up at motu Nuhi Nuhi. The sides of the underwater valley are criss-crossed with undercuts and crevasses where lionfish, eels and stone fish hide. The sharks that cruise by you in the pass are too numerous to count. If you dive deep between November and February, expect to see hammerheads. At the edge of the pass is Shark Cave. At about 115 feet there is an overhang where divers can shelter from the current and watch all the sharks (greys, blacktips, sometimes silvertips and hammerheads). Then you pick up the residual current and continue through the pass, along with hundreds of snappers, surgeonfish, unicornfish and trevallies. When the current is flowing outward through Tiputa Pass, dive operators choose L'Eolienne, just outside the reef. The depth here is from 45 to 75 feet, and there are hundreds of reef fishes. Dolphins frequently pass by on their way out to deep waters. The current at Avatoru Pass is not as strong as that at Tiputa, but the fish life is just as good. On incoming drift dives, you are likely to encounter a squadron of spotted leopard rays, and lots of grey sharks are guaranteed. Silvertip sharks are also common. Outside the reef during outgoing tide, expect to see schools of pompano, patrolling grey sharks, rays, eels and more. The depth here ranges from 60 - 90 feet.

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