French Polynesia, Best Of Tuamotus

French Polynesia Shark Paradise 🇵🇫 – ’28

Travel details

Available spaces

2 spot(s)

Trip duration

10 nights

Travel dates

18 October, 2028 - 28 October, 2028

Price per person

6.295 € per person

Trip Highlights

Large Pelagics 🫧 The waters of French Polynesia are remote, and uninterrupted. As a consequence its marine life offers an abundance of large fish such as manta and eagle rays, sharks of various species and sizes, stingrays, tunas, dolphins and even swordfish. Most divesites are entirely unfrequented, so we forget about bubbles from other dive groups!

Wall of Sharks 🦈 Fakarava's "Wall of Sharks" is much like a highway at rush hour, only this tine hundreds of grey reef sharks patrol the Corso in the South wall! This vertical drop off is a world renowned dive site, with stunning visibility and sharks effortlessly gliding into the current. While every diver in the world wants to have a shot at this site, only a few get it.

Aquatiki III ⛵ Zipping through French Polynesia by catamaran has so much advantages: it's spacious, agile and just so comfortable. The Aquatiki III is the best vessel to dive these waters by quite a distance.

Trip description

The waters of French Polynesia are remote and uninterrupted. The marine life is abundant, with manta and eagle rays, sharks of many species and sizes, stingrays, tunas, dolphins, even the occasional swordfish. Most divesites are entirely unfrequented, so we forget about bubbles from other dive groups.

We move between atolls by catamaran, which means the boat is the base. You sleep on board, eat on board, and most dives drop straight off the back. Cabins are comfortable, the crew handles everything, and the food is fresh and simple. No transfers, no checking in and out, no rush.

Above water it stays quiet in a way that is getting hard to find. Empty divesites, lagoons that genuinely look like the photos, sundowners on deck. The luxury here is not in the trim. It is in the space, the time, and the fact that for ten days almost nothing is asked of you.

Aquatiki III

Nights

Price per person

6.295 €

DATE START

18 October 2028

DATE END

28 October 2028

The trip is all about 3 things: the dreamlike Polynesian atmosphere, a fantastic catamaran with laid back Polynesian hospitality and of course the infamous Wall of Sharks.

Year round, the incoming tides funnel through the narrow passes of Fakarava and the surrounding Tuamotu atolls, concentrating huge volumes of fish in just a few cubic metres of water. Where the bait goes, the predators follow. Hundreds of grey reef sharks gather in formation at Tetamanu Pass in Fakarava South, holding into the current in a slow motion squadron that gives the dive its name.

Bonus sightings often include silvertip sharks, manta rays around Garuae, eagle rays and the occasional hammerhead at depth.

The Aquatiki III is a purpose built sailing catamaran run by a Polynesian crew who know these atolls better than anyone. She hosts up to 10 guests across 5 cabins, with a shaded saloon, sunset trampolines and a dive platform that puts you in the water in seconds. She operates year round in the Tuamotus, linking Fakarava, Kauehi, Toau and Apataki on the Best of Tuamotus loop.

The Fakarava Liveaboard is one of our paradise classics, delivering consistent shark action with almost no other boats in sight once you leave Rotoava behind.

Be prepared for warm water, long surface intervals on the trampolines and several afternoons where you forget what day it is.

Included

Airport transfers
Accommodation in your assigned cabin
2 dives per day including tank, weights, guide, and Nitrox
3 meals per day
Drinking water
Rental equipment

Not Included

Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages
Flights, travel arrangements, hotels
Dive and travel cancellation insurance
Gratuities for the crew (recommended €15-30 per person per day)

Day-by-day program

-The following is a sample itinerary; the actual schedule may vary depending on weather and sea conditions – Arrival at Fakarava airport, where the Aquatiki crew picks you up and brings you to the boat at Rotoava dock. Cabin allocation, dive briefing, and a welcome cocktail at sunset. First night on board in the lagoon, with a Polynesian welcome dinner to set the tone for what is coming.

Early morning departure through Fakarava’s lagoon down to the southern tip. Anchorage off the tiny village of Tetamanu (population: a handful). Afternoon checkout dive on the inner reef to find your weight and rhythm, with grey reef sharks already cruising past. Sunset on a deserted beach.

The dive everyone came for. Two drift dives in Tetamanu Pass with the incoming current, gliding over the legendary Wall of Sharks in Fakarava South. Hundreds of grey reef sharks holding in formation, with the occasional silvertip and a constant backdrop of jacks, snappers and Napoleon wrasse. Surface intervals on the catamaran, lunch served at anchor.

A second day in Fakarava South to dive the pass at different tides and depths. Optional excursion to the Pink Sand Motu, a remote islet where the coral debris turns the beach pale rose. Beach time, swim, and a Polynesian-style barbecue evening.

Sailing day with the trade winds. A few hours of glass water and reading on the trampolines, then arrival at Kauehi atoll, one of the lesser-visited gems of the central Tuamotus. Afternoon dive in the pass, manta and eagle ray territory. BBQ on board at sunset.

Morning crossing to Toau, an almost uninhabited atoll where time slows down. Anchorage off a coral sand beach with no other boats in sight. Afternoon dive on the outer reef, then a sunset swim and dinner under the stars.

Full day at Toau. Two dives, including the famous Otugi pass with its sloping reef and big pelagic action. Land excursion in the afternoon: shell collecting on an empty motu, coconut milk demonstration with the crew, and a chance to meet some of the few residents who farm copra here.

Sailing further north to Apataki, even less travelled than Toau. Dive the pass for grey reef sharks, eagle rays and the chance of hammerheads at depth. Apataki’s lagoon is a pearl-farming centre, and the welcome from local families is part of the experience.

Morning sail back south toward Fakarava’s northern end. Anchorage off the coral reef just outside the famous Garuae Pass, the largest pass in French Polynesia at over 1.6 kilometres wide. Afternoon dive to scout the pass on a calmer current.

The grand finale. Two drift dives through Garuae with the incoming tide, riding the conveyor belt past sharks, mantas (in season), and dense schools of fish. Smooth sail back to Rotoava village, last sunset on board, farewell cocktail and dinner with the crew.

Final breakfast on board, village stroll, last swims, transfer to Fakarava airport for your onward flight to Tahiti. For those continuing: connect to the Rurutu Whale Extension (Sep 2 to 7) for five nights of in-water encounters with humpback mothers and calves.

TRIP LEADER

Your Trip Leader

A man that needs little explanation. Armed with his RED camera, he has knows the world’s prime dive locations like his backpocket. A forever optimist and young spirit, proud to call him our most experienced Group Trip Guide.

We are Behind the Mask Travel.

We offer individual tailor-made dive travel and organised group travel to the finest dive spots in the world.