Tuamotu Archipelago dive sites

The resident grey reef shark population at Tumakohua Pass is estimated at over 700 individuals, making it the densest concentration of grey reef sharks on the planet. On a single dive, it is common to see a wall of 300 to 500 sharks cruising the channel entrance. The spectacle is most intense at dawn and dusk when the sharks transition between resting and hunting modes.

Yes, the shark dive at Tumakohua is considered safe when conducted with experienced local operators. The grey reef sharks here are well-fed and accustomed to divers, showing no aggressive behaviour toward humans. Divers descend to the channel floor at 20-28 metres and remain stationary while the sharks swim past. No feeding or baiting is involved, making this a natural and ethical encounter.

Fakarava's North Pass (Garuae) is the widest pass in French Polynesia at 1.6 kilometres and offers bigger pelagic action with dolphins and hammerheads. The South Pass (Tumakohua) is much narrower at about 200 metres, which concentrates the resident shark population into a staggering wall. The South Pass is generally considered the more unique experience because the density of sharks is unmatched anywhere else in the world.

Great hammerhead sharks congregate at Tiputa Pass primarily from January through March, when they arrive to hunt the large schools of eagle rays that gather in the pass. During these months, sightings of multiple hammerheads on a single dive are common. Grey reef sharks and other species are present year-round, but the hammerhead season is the undeniable highlight.

Currents at Tiputa Pass can be very powerful, especially during incoming tides, and this is an advanced dive site. Most operators require Advanced Open Water certification and significant drift diving experience. Dives are timed to match the incoming current, which carries divers from the ocean side into the lagoon. Your guide will assess conditions before every dive and may modify the plan accordingly.