Avatoru, Rangiroa
Today, the tender shared the pier with a supply ship from Papeete which was unloading supplies throughout the day.
We strolled down the one street that runs through Avatoru. After a 45-minute walk, we came upon the Kiora Resort with bungalows over the water. This is one of the swankiest resorts in French Polynesia, with 50 plush bungalows, including 10 enormous overwater units on a perfect turquoise lagoon. The garden villas come with their own pool and are dotted around a magnificent coconut plantation situated on a stretch of white sand. It incorporates restaurant, bar, spa and swimming pool. Since were not many guests at the property, we asked if could use the beach. The answer was "yes but day use privileges are $50 US per person."
Although we did not visit, Vin de Tahiti has a 6-hectare vineyard planted on a palm-fringed motu about 10 minutes by boat from Avatoru village. This is the only atoll vineyard in the world, making the only wines produced from coral soil. It produces coral white wine, dry white, sweet white and rosé.
The number-one activity on Rangiroa is diving, and it’s no wonder. The Tiputa Pass with its reefs and currents has achieved cult status in the diving community and offers some of the best drift dives in the world. Several diving outfitters offer services to take out small diving groups.
After exiting the lagoon through the very narrow channel of the Tiputa Pass, the departure that evening was later highlighted by another spectacular sunset.
We strolled down the one street that runs through Avatoru. After a 45-minute walk, we came upon the Kiora Resort with bungalows over the water. This is one of the swankiest resorts in French Polynesia, with 50 plush bungalows, including 10 enormous overwater units on a perfect turquoise lagoon. The garden villas come with their own pool and are dotted around a magnificent coconut plantation situated on a stretch of white sand. It incorporates restaurant, bar, spa and swimming pool. Since were not many guests at the property, we asked if could use the beach. The answer was "yes but day use privileges are $50 US per person."
Although we did not visit, Vin de Tahiti has a 6-hectare vineyard planted on a palm-fringed motu about 10 minutes by boat from Avatoru village. This is the only atoll vineyard in the world, making the only wines produced from coral soil. It produces coral white wine, dry white, sweet white and rosé.
The number-one activity on Rangiroa is diving, and it’s no wonder. The Tiputa Pass with its reefs and currents has achieved cult status in the diving community and offers some of the best drift dives in the world. Several diving outfitters offer services to take out small diving groups.
After exiting the lagoon through the very narrow channel of the Tiputa Pass, the departure that evening was later highlighted by another spectacular sunset.