FAKARAVA

Rectangular-shaped Fakarava is the second largest atoll in the Tuamoto, 37 miles wide by 15 miles wide. There are 2 main villages Rotoava which has a population of 248 and the small village of Tetamanu. This protected atoll together with six neighboring islands makes up a Unesco classifies nature reserve, which shows the richness of these atoll’s ecosystem, the especially rare flora and fauna and in the lagoons. Among the things to be explored here are a pearl farm tour, a visit to the sea slug smoke house and an exploration of the ancient town of Tetamanu which has one of the first Catholic churches built in coral in 1874. The real draw card is the scuba diving in virtually untouched spots where you can find many ocean fish in great concentrations as well as hammerhead and tiger sharks.

TIKEHAU

Tikehau is an almost circular atoll with an interior lagoon 16 miles across. It is near Rangiroa and about 180 miles northwest of Tahiti. When Jacques Cousteau’s research group made a study of the Polynesian Atolls in 1987, they declared the lagoon of Tikehau to contain the most fish. Fish parks earn an income for many of the 312 inhabitants who regularly ship parrotfish and other lagoon fish to Tahiti. The 3 towns are located on same southern motu. Tuherahera is swathed in flowers, Tuheiava is the fish park and fishing hub and Maiaia is the copra producer. Diving lets you see the giant manta rays, huge schools of barracuda and tuna as well as gray and white tipped sharks. The islands also boast many bird colonies.