Fakarava, Tuamotu
One of the largest and most beautiful atolls in French Polynesia, Fakarava is the stuff of South Seas fantasy. The bboomerang-shaped atoll is the second largest of the Tuamotu atolls known as the Tuamotu and Gambier Islands located about 280 miles from Tahiti and 75 miles south of Rangiroa.
Most islanders live in Rotoava village at the northeastern end of the atoll, 2.5 miles east of the airport. Aside from Rangiroa’s Avatoru, this is the most developed and busiest town in the Tuamotus, but it’s still quiet by most people’s standards. With only a few streets, a couple of churches and stores, a town hall and a school, it’s easy to explore.
The pristine waters surrounding the atoll have been given UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status. They are recognized for their rich, intact ecosystem, and efforts are being made to study and preserve it. Heavenly white and pink sand, ruffled coconut trees and an unbelievable palette of lagoon blues are the norm here.
The atmosphere is very relaxed and the infrastructure is quite good, with an assortment of pensions. Fakarava is a great place to unwind, but for those looking for more than a suntan, it offers a number of water activities. The fantastic diving and snorkelling is legendary among divers, who come for a truly exhilarating experience in the two passes, Garuae Pass (Northern Pass) and Tumakohua Pass (Southern Pass).
Similar to Avatoru, Fakarava had a single road traversing the atoll. As we strolled, one of the locals was feeding sharks near the sandy shoreline.
We walked past a Catholic Church which was ornately decorated inside with sea shells. We were surprised to see a working phone both from which calls can be made using the satellite network.
Most islanders live in Rotoava village at the northeastern end of the atoll, 2.5 miles east of the airport. Aside from Rangiroa’s Avatoru, this is the most developed and busiest town in the Tuamotus, but it’s still quiet by most people’s standards. With only a few streets, a couple of churches and stores, a town hall and a school, it’s easy to explore.
The pristine waters surrounding the atoll have been given UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status. They are recognized for their rich, intact ecosystem, and efforts are being made to study and preserve it. Heavenly white and pink sand, ruffled coconut trees and an unbelievable palette of lagoon blues are the norm here.
The atmosphere is very relaxed and the infrastructure is quite good, with an assortment of pensions. Fakarava is a great place to unwind, but for those looking for more than a suntan, it offers a number of water activities. The fantastic diving and snorkelling is legendary among divers, who come for a truly exhilarating experience in the two passes, Garuae Pass (Northern Pass) and Tumakohua Pass (Southern Pass).
Similar to Avatoru, Fakarava had a single road traversing the atoll. As we strolled, one of the locals was feeding sharks near the sandy shoreline.
We walked past a Catholic Church which was ornately decorated inside with sea shells. We were surprised to see a working phone both from which calls can be made using the satellite network.
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