Dive in Fakarava with TOPDIVE

A veritable undersea Garden of Eden.  Fakarava has been classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to the rich diversity of its ecosystem.  The undersea flora and fauna promises a richness in the myriad species you are likely to encounter.

The 2 passes that connect its lagoon to the ocean are GARUAE and TUMAKOHA.  They offer among the best dives in Polynesia.  The northern pass of GARUAE is the largest in the Tuamotu Islands and probably holds the highest density of fish with the most amazing pelagic encounters ever seen.

Our main dive center is situated on the northern side in the village of Rotoava. A main meeting point for divers before and after dives.  Our second base, also located in the northern side is located in the hotel White Sand Beach Resort.

In the southern part of the atoll, a third dive center is located on the Motu Penu, very near the Pension Motu Aito Paradise and the southern pass.

Regular dive expeditions to the southern pass are organized weekly through the northern side dive centers.

Fakarava dive sites

1. Maiuru :
From the left of the pass, we have the superb reef-flat at around 65 feet before the sharp drop-off..Read more...

2. Garuae Pass:
The widest pass in French Polynesia, (about a mile long), is world renowned for its biodiversity. It is famous for currents, sometimes strong....Read more...

3. Ohotu Reef :
On the right side upon leaving the Garuae pass is this magnificent reef-flat at around 40 feet in depth dipping gently to 100 feet just before the drop-off wall. Read more...

4. Pufana Reef :
Inside the lagoon near the north channel, a shallow reef down from 40  to 50 feet, ideal for beginners...Read more...

5. Tumakoha, the southern pass:
Situated on the south side of the atoll, it takes a little more than an hour's boat ride to get to Tetamanu....Read more...

General Information:

Dive schedule :
Schedule depending on the tide tables - slack tide

From 8:00am - 10:00am  2 fun dives

From 2:00pm - 1 fun dive

Equipement :
25 Aqualung Sea quest pro QD BCDs
25 Aqualung Calypso regulators with direct-system, octopus and gauge console
10 aluminium tanks for Air
90 aluminium tanks for Nitrox
25 3 mm shorty wetsuits
20 Aqualung Bali 3 mm wetsuits
20 sets of Aqualung fins, mask and snorkel

Boats :

• 1 BWA semi-rigid dive boat - Zodiac type
  8,50 meters - 280 Cv in-board Volvo
  15 divers + crew
• 1 NSI Aluminium dive boat
  9 meters - 280 cv in-board Volvo
  12 divers + crew
• 1 aluminium dive boat
  7 meters - 250 cv Yamaha out-board
  (used for the dives from pension Raimiti)

Certifications :
PADI . ANMP

Free pick up :
By car, from all hotel/pensions on the North side of the atoll

Specialities :
Nitrox dives
Drift dives
Private dives (1/2 day or full day)