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Voykit pocket guide · French Polynesia
Fakarava
Four nights minimum for divers; two nights for snorkellers. Fly in via Rangiroa or Manihi on Air Tahiti's limited schedule.
Fakarava is a remote Tuamotu atoll and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, known for the world's densest concentration of grey reef sharks at its southern pass. The island has one upscale hotel and a handful of pensions; most visitors come for diving or solitude. Flights are infrequent, so plan a minimum of four nights.
- Country
- French Polynesia
- Best months
- All year; May–Oct for drier weather and calmer seas
- Avoid
- Dec–Mar (wetter, stronger currents at passes)
- Stay
- 4 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- XPF
- Money
- Currency is the CFP franc (XPF), also used in New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna, pegged to the euro (€1 = 119.33 XPF); euros are sometimes taken at poor rates.
- Daily spend
- Budget XPF 12,000–18,000 excl. bed · Mid XPF 18,000–30,000 excl. bed · High XPF 30,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vini (OPT) is the main network, with Vodafone (Onati) as the other; tourist SIMs at Faa'a airport and Vini shops need a passport.
- Emergency
- Police 17 · Fire 18 · Medical (SAMU) 15 · From a mobile 112
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 220 V · 60 Hz · French two-pin sockets; some resorts also have 110 V US sockets. Bring a universal adapter.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: Not expected; service is included.; Tours and dives: Optional; XPF 1,000–2,000 for a great guide.; Taxis: Not expected.; Resort staff: Optional; some resorts have a shared staff fund.
- Water
- Tap water in Papeete and many Tahiti and Moorea communes is treated; on atolls it is rainwater. Ask, or drink bottled.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; few public ones — use cafés, malls and the ferry terminal.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dive (single tank) | XPF 10,000–15,000 |
| Half-board meal (pension) | XPF 3,000–5,000 |
| Car rental, one day | XPF 7,000–10,000 |
| Bicycle rental, one day | XPF 1,500–2,500 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | XPF 200–400 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- FAV · Fakarava Airport
- Air Tahiti flights connect via Rangiroa or Manihi; check schedule carefully
Typical fares
- Air Tahiti Papeete → Fakarava
- about XPF 25,000–40,000 one way, check
- Car rental, one day
- XPF 7,000–10,000, check
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Rent a car or bicycle on the main island road (about 20 km (12 mi) from north to south). No public transport. Boat transfers arranged by dive shops.Rent a car or bicycle on the main island road (about 12 mi (20 km) from north to south). No public transport. Boat transfers arranged by dive shops.
See and do
Known for
- Grey reef shark wall at South Pass
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Remote pensions and solitude
- World-class diving and snorkelling
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rangiroa | Air Tahiti, about 30 min | About 3 h (including check-in and transfers) |
| Tikehau | Air Tahiti, about 25 min | About 3 h |
| Manihi | Air Tahiti, about 20 min | About 3 h |
Sleep
- North Pass (Rotoava)
- Main village; Le Maitai Fakarava hotel and a few pensions. Closer to the airport.
- South Pass (Tetamanu)
- Remote; Tetamanu Village bungalows. Best for diving the shark wall. 1.5 h drive from the airport.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Ia ora naee-ah oh-rah nah |
| Thank you | Māuruurumah-oo-roo-roo |
| Yes / No | E / Aitaeh / eye-tah |
| How much? | E hia?eh hee-ah |
| Goodbye | Nananah-nah |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Bonjour or ia ora na; a kiss on the cheek among acquaintances; avoid: Starting a request without a greeting
- Flowers: Accept the flower garland (hei) on arrival; flower behind the right ear means single, left means taken; avoid: Throwing a hei away in front of the giver
- Homes: Shoes off at the door; avoid: Entering yards without asking
- Church: Neat clothes, quiet photos only when allowed; avoid: Beachwear
- Pace: Patience; 'aita pe'ape'a' (no worries); avoid: Pushing for speed
Scams and watch-outs
- Flights are not daily; book Air Tahiti well ahead and confirm the schedule.
- The road between north and south is unpaved in parts; allow 1.5 h by car.
- No bank or ATM on the atoll; bring enough CFP francs for your stay.
- Sharks are safe with a professional guide; never dive the passes alone.
Fakarava is safe for tourists; the main risks are sun exposure, strong currents at the passes and limited medical facilities. Bring a first-aid kit and travel insurance that covers diving.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Fakarava yet. Suggested stay: 4 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Grey reef shark wall at South Pass
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Remote pensions and solitude
- World-class diving and snorkelling
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Air Tahiti: www.airtahiti.com/
- Top Dive Fakarava: www.topdive.com/
- Tetamanu Diving Center: www.tetamanudiving.com/
- Wikivoyage: Fakarava, revision 4864452 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4864452
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/fakarava). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.