Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XPF
- Best months
- All year; May–Oct for drier weather and calmer seas
- avoid Dec–Mar (wetter, stronger currents at passes)
- Airport
- FAV
- Nights
- 4
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Polynesia ↗In much of Polynesia Sunday is kept for church and family: expect shops, tours and some flights to stop, and dress and behave quietly in villages.
- French Polynesia ↗Entry rules are set by France but separately from Schengen: EU citizens enter freely, other passports should check the French government's rules for French Polynesia, and an onward ticket is required.
- French Polynesia ↗Declare food, plants and animal products on arrival; moving plants and soil between islands is also restricted.
- French Polynesia ↗Drive on the right, as in France; scooters and cars can be hired on the main islands.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Fakarava17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Fakarava, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the CFP franc (XPF), also used in New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna, pegged to the euro (€1 (≈ US$2) = 119.33 XPF)…French Polynesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMVini (OPT) is the main network, with Vodafone (Onati) as the other; tourist SIMs at Faa'a airport and Vini shops need a passport.French Polynesia-wide
- Tap waterTap water in Papeete and many Tahiti and Moorea communes is treated; on atolls it is rainwater.French Polynesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; service is included.French Polynesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.French Polynesia-wide
- SafetyFakarava is safe for tourists; the main risks are sun exposure, strong currents at the passes and limited medical facilities.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; few public ones — use cafés, malls and the ferry terminal.French Polynesia-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire · 15 Medical (SAMU) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close around 11:30–13:30 on many islands and most close Sunday afternoon; the Papeete market is busiest on Sunday dawn.Shops close around 11:30 AM–1:30 PM on many islands and most close Sunday afternoon; the Papeete market is busiest on Sunday dawn.French Polynesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckFAV Fakarava Airport (Air Tahiti flights connect via Rangiroa or Manihi; check schedule carefully).
- Getting aroundRent a car or bicycle on the main island road (about 20 km (12 mi) from north to south).Rent a car or bicycle on the main island road (about 12 mi (20 km) from north to south).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedPension bungalow (half-board), a night, per personXPF 12,000
- Mid-range bedLe Maitai Fakarava double room, a night, per roomXPF 35,000
- High-end bedLe Maitai Fakarava double room, a night, per roomXPF 50,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XPF 12,000 · Mid XPF 22,000 · High XPF 40,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FAV Fakarava Airport (Air Tahiti flights connect via Rangiroa or Manihi; check schedule carefully)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jun (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Fakarava: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Rent a car or bicycle on the main island road (about 20 km from north to south). No public transport. Boat transfers arranged by dive shops.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Rangiroa
goDoor to door: About 3 h (including check-in and transfers)
Air Tahiti, about 30 min
Dolphin and shark dives, pink sand beaches. Combine with Fakarava for a Tuamotu trip.
Tikehau
goDoor to door: About 3 h
Air Tahiti, about 25 min
Pink sand and bird island; good for a day trip if flights align.
Door to door: About 3 h
Air Tahiti, about 20 min
Pearl farms and black-tip sharks; fewer flights than Rangiroa.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- XPF 12,000–18,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- XPF 18,000–30,000 excl. bed
- High
- XPF 30,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pension bungalow (half-board)2 × 4 nights × XPF 18,000 | XPF 144,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × XPF 22,000 | XPF 176,000 |
| Dive package (2 dives per day, 2 days)2 × XPF 40,000 · check | XPF 80,000 |
| Car rental, one day1 × XPF 8,000 · check | XPF 8,000 |
| eSIM for travel2 × XPF 5,000 · check | XPF 10,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XPF 62,700 |
| Trip total≈ XPF 60,100 per person per day, bed included | XPF 480,700 |
check
2026 estimate in CFP francs; flights to/from Tahiti excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Dive (single tank)check | XPF 10,000–15,000 |
| Half-board meal (pension)check | XPF 3,000–5,000 |
| Car rental, one daycheck | XPF 7,000–10,000 |
| Bicycle rental, one daycheck | XPF 1,500–2,500 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L)check | XPF 200–400 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
- Medical (SAMU)
- 15
- From a mobile
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
FakaravaFakarava
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
I teie vahi, mauruuruTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire18
- Medical (SAMU)15
- From a mobile112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Air Tahiti Papeete → Fakarava: about XPF 25,000–40,000 one way, check
- Car rental, one day: XPF 7,000–10,000, check
Say or show
- Ia ora na — Hello (ee-ah oh-rah nah)
- Māuruuru — Thank you (mah-oo-roo-roo)
- E / Aita — Yes / No (eh / eye-tah)
- E hia? — How much? (eh hee-ah)
- Nana — Goodbye (nah-nah)
Tahitian phrases are widely understood; French also works.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Fakarava. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: All year; May–Oct for drier weather and calmer seas · avoid Dec–Mar (wetter, stronger currents at passes) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialAir Tahiti
- officialTop Dive Fakarava
- officialTetamanu Diving Center
- secondaryWikivoyage: Fakarava, revision 4864452 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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