Fakarava Island - Island of Fakarava - Tropical Island Vacation

Fakarava Travel

Fakarava Island is the second largest atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago, after Rangiroa. Located about an hour's flight from Tahiti, the Island of Fakarava has become a dream location for those who seek a tropical island vacation getaway, especially those who enjoy scuba diving. Fakarava Island is a developing island with accommodations that include 1 major hotel as well as several guest houses and bed and breakfast properties. Dining choices are limited on the Island of Fakarava, but each property caters to their own guests with a good selection of local produce and locally caught fresh fish.

Fakarava Island is protected as a biosphere reserve classified by UNESCO because of its rare flora and fauna as well an ecosystem rich in birds and lagoon crustaceans. The beautiful scenery on the Island of Fakarava makes it the perfect spot for a tropical island vacation.

The Fakarava Island lagoon is outstanding and is home to amazing sharks, manta rays, and beautiful tropical fish. The 2 major passes of Fakarava Island allow for very active water circulation between the lagoon and the ocean. The Garuae Pass on the northwest coast is 1km wide and is the largest pass in French Polynesia. On the southeast side of Fakarava Island is the Tumakohua Pass which is about 650 feet wide and 45 feet deep. To get from one pass to the other takes about 1½ hours by speedboat.

There are approximately 650 residents who live on Fakarava Island between the villages of Rotoava and Tetamanu. Most of the residents on the Island of Fakarava live in Rotoava, which is home to the post office, churches, town hall, shops, as well as a new supermarket. You will also find the dive center in this village which offers experienced divers a selection of amazing dives.

Fakarava Island is home to the first church ever to be completely built out of coral. It was built in 1862 and today just the shell remains.

At the end of the lagoon is a very special motu called Hirifa. It can still only be reached by boat and here you will find magnificent sandbanks. The leading attraction of this tropical island vacation spot is scuba diving where loachs, groupers, barracuda and hammerhead sharks can be seen. The Fakarava Island lagoon provides an incredible mirror reflection of the hundreds of coconut palms that grow beside the beach. Other Fakarava Island activities include: boat rentals and fishing excursions.

On a side note, there is no bank on the island of Fakarava so make sure you have cash with you before you arrive.

Call us anytime at 1.866.982.4484 to plan your vacation