Rangiroa
SCUBA DIVING in RANGIROA
Rangiroa means "long sky" and certainly this atoll is appropriately named. Rangiroa is the largest atoll in the Southern Hemisphere and it is a diver's mecca. There are two passes in Rangiroa and both are just a short boat ride away. Rubber Zodiacs drop you in the ocean at the foot of the pass where the current sweeps you into the lagoon for a technicolor spectacle of fish. You will see caves crammed full of Red Snapper, walls of Barracuda and dozens of Napoleon Fish. You'll dive with Turtles, Dolphins, Rays and Sharks. If you schedule your trip between November and February you are likely to see Hammerhead sharks. In September you can see Manta Rays as they migrate from within the lagoon to their final destination in Hawaii. Just 55 minutes by plane from Tahiti, Rangiroa is world renowned for her fast paced drift dives and abundance of sea life.
DIVE SITES in Rangiroa
TIPUTA PASS
Tiputa Reef
Depth: 50-65 feet
View: Coral plateau at 50’ . Abrupt drop-off at 65’’. Turtles, Sponges, Whitetip Sharks, Grey Sharks, Barracuda, Napoleon Wrasse, Dolphins
Difficulty: All Certification Levels
The Step
Depth: From 65 feet
View: Fantastic underwater topography. Exciting pelagic encounters including a variety of sharks.
Difficulty: Mastery of buoyancy control required
The Canyons
Depth: From 65 feet
View: Schools of Surgeonfish, Whitetip Sharks, Napoleon Wrasse, Soldierfish, Manta rays, and Hammerhead Sharks in season.
Difficulty: Experienced Certification Level
Mypristis (Soldierfish) Reef
Depth: 50-65 feet
View: Named after the Soldierfish that populate this site, Anemones & Clown Fish, Soft Coral, Marbled Grouper, Grey Sharks, Whitetip Sharks and Rays.
Difficulty: All Certification Levels
The Angle
Depth: From 65 feet
View: Depending on season; Paddletail Snappers, Bigeyed Scads, Napoleon Wrasse, Dogtooth Tuna, Sharks, Barracuda, Dolphins, Sailfish. Likely a strong current.
Difficulty: Experienced Certification Level
Motu Nuhi-Nuhi (Aquarium)
Depth: 20-60 feet
View: Shallow and sheltered from currents. Ideal for novice divers. Coral garden, variety of colorful lagoon fish
Difficulty: All Certification Levels
The Blue
Depth: From 65 feet
View: Descend into the blue, Barracudas, Jackfish, Tuna, Grey Sharks, Silvertip Sharks, Silky Sharks, Bottlenose Dolphins
Difficulty: Mastery of buoyancy control required
The Wall
Depth: 35-165 feet
View: Steep drop-off w/rock overhangs and delicate branches of orange & purple soft coral, giant grouper, random encounters with sharks, scads, tuna.
Difficulty: All Certification Levels
AVATORU PASS
Avatoru Reef
Depth: 50-65 feet
View: Main dive site at 50-65” on a coral plateau. Silver tip sharks, Bigeye Jackfish, African Pompano Jackfish
Difficulty: All Certification Levels
Little Pass
Depth: Maximum 65 feet
View: Timed with the incoming current. Several species of sharks including Blacktop & Whitetip, Groupers, Moray Eels, Scorpion Fish
Difficulty: All Certification Levels
Mahuata
Depth: Maximum 60 feet
View: Timed with the incoming current. Undersea valley with wonderful coral formations, Unicorn Fish, Surgeon Fish, Paddletail Snappers, Fusiliers, Occasional manta or leopard ray, Nudibranchs, Moral Eels, Groupers, Kingfish, Whitetip & Blacktip Sharks
Difficulty: All Certification Levels