{"id":10866,"date":"2026-06-24T21:19:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T19:19:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturelfes.com\/?p=10866"},"modified":"2026-06-25T08:29:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T06:29:41","slug":"fakarava-a-paradise-on-earth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturelfes.com\/en\/fakarava-a-paradise-on-earth\/","title":{"rendered":"Fakarava: a paradise on Earth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fakarava: a paradise on Earth<\/h1>\n\n
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Fakarava was my greatest love story in Polynesia! A lost atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where life is stripped down to the bare minimum\u2026 and that’s exactly what makes it so magical. An incredibly rich underwater world, sharks everywhere, lagoons in breathtaking colors, magnificent sunsets\u2026 <\/p>\n\n

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When<\/strong>: Late October 2018Location<\/strong>: Fakarava, Tuamotu Archipelago, French PolynesiaWhat<\/strong> to do<\/strong>: Snorkeling, pass excursions, shark watching and relaxing \ud83d\ude09<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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The place in a few words<\/h2>\n\n
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Fakarava is the second largest atoll in French Polynesia, stretching 60 km long and 25 km wide. Listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve<\/strong>, it is home to one of the greatest marine biodiversities in the Pacific. The atoll is famous for its two passes, the North Pass<\/strong> (Garuae) and the South Pass<\/strong> (Tumakohua), considered among the best diving and snorkeling spots in the world, particularly for shark watching. <\/p>\n\n

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Unlike the other islands of French Polynesia, there is no relief here, no lush vegetation \u2014 just a thin strip of land sitting on the ocean with the bare minimum: no school beyond primary level, a doctor who visits every six months\u2026 Here, life is simple and that’s exactly what I loved about it. No stress, no schedules, just the sun, the water and the fish \ud83d\ude0a. <\/p>\n\n

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Practical information<\/h2>\n\n

Fakarava is served by Air Tahiti<\/a><\/strong> and Air Moana<\/a><\/strong>. Most flights depart from Tahiti (around 1h10 direct flight, \u20ac115\/person return at the time of my trip), but some connections also exist from other islands. Air Tahiti offers multi-island passes which can be a great option if you plan to visit several atolls in the Tuamotu archipelago. <\/p>\n\n

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The only village on the atoll is Rotoava<\/strong>, a tiny village of around 850 inhabitants with its pretty church built from white coral walls and a few shops. There are no large hotels on the atoll, only family guesthouses and a few lodges. Excursions (snorkeling, diving\u2026) are organized either by the guesthouses themselves or by local providers. Getting around is simple \u2014 there is only one road of about 25 km, so this is definitely not a road trip destination \ud83d\ude09! Cycling is the most common way to get around the atoll. It is also possible to rent scooters or cars from local providers. Most restaurants and diving clubs offer to pick you up and drop you back at your guesthouse. <\/p>\n\n

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\ud83d\udccd<\/strong> Good to know<\/strong>: French Polynesia has two seasons, a dry season from May to October and a wet season from November to April. The dry season is the ideal time to visit Fakarava, with less rainfall and slightly cooler temperatures. That said, it’s warm all year round! <\/em><\/p>\n\n

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South Pass: pink sands, sharks and drift snorkeling<\/h2>\n\n
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The South Pass excursion was one of the many highlights of this trip. First you have to reach the South Pass, which is quite far, but you get to enjoy the scenery and the flying fish along the way \ud83d\ude0a. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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