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Voykit pocket guide · French Polynesia
Rangiroa
Spend 3–4 days on Rangiroa for diving and lagoon sights; a short stay is enough if diving only.
Rangiroa is the second‑largest atoll in the world, known for drift dives in Tiputa Pass, shark and dolphin encounters, and a pink‑sand lagoon. Most visitors stay 3–4 nights to combine diving, a day trip to the Blue Lagoon and a visit to the pearl farm, with easy bike travel around the main motu.
- Country
- French Polynesia
- Best months
- All year (dry season Oct–Apr offers calmer seas)
- Avoid
- Feb–Mar (higher rain days, check local forecast)
- Stay
- 3–4 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 8,000–12,000 excl. bed · Mid XPF 12,000–18,000 excl. bed · High XPF 18,000+ 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 · Medical (SAMU) 15 · Fire 18
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Meal at a local restaurant | XPF 1,200–2,500 |
| Bottle of local rum | XPF 800–1,200 |
| Bike hire (full day) | XPF 800 |
| Shark-watch dive (incl. gear) | XPF 12,000–15,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- RGI · Rangiroa Airport
- Air Tahiti flights from Papeete, Bora Bora, Fakarava
Typical fares
- Air Tahiti Papeete → Rangiroa
- ≈ XPF 25,000–38,000 round-trip (check)
- Bike hire per day
- ≈ XPF 800 (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
Bike hire is common; the main road on Avatoru motu is only a few kilometres. Boats are needed to reach Tiputa motu and dive sites.
See and do
Known for
- Tiputa Pass drift diving
- Blue Lagoon
- Pearl farm tours
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tikehau | Air Tahiti flight, about 20 min | ≈30 min total |
Sleep
- Kia Ora
- Luxury resort with overwater bungalows; near Avatoru motu
- Hotel Maitai Rangiroa (formerly Novotel Lagoon Resort)
- High‑range hotel on lagoon, close to airport
- Pension Loyna
- Family‑run pension, offers free bike rental
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Excuse me | Ia ora naee-ah-oh-rah-nah |
| Thank you | Māuruurumah-oo-roo-roo |
| How much? | E hia te utu?eh-hee-ah-teh-oo-too |
| Where is the beach? | E hea te one?eh-heh-ah-teh-oh-neh |
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
- Sharks are common but generally harmless; follow dive‑guide instructions.
- Limited nightlife; plan meals early.
Rangiroa is low‑risk; main hazards are marine (sharks, currents) and limited medical facilities – carry basic first‑aid and know the local clinic number.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Rangiroa yet. Suggested stay: 3–4 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Tiputa Pass drift diving
- Blue Lagoon
- Pearl farm tours
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Rangiroa, revision 5330119 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5330119
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/rangiroa). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.