Question 16 Nights - How long in Tikehau, Rangiroa, & Fakahava

[DvrRick]

@DvrRick

Looks like a solid plan... We really enjoyed Tikehau (and we're looking forward to hearing how the renovations to the Pearl resort end up). Tekihau is the more interesting island of the three, however not nearly as many sharks or other pelagics, although mantas basically every day (if you go to the cleaning station).

One thing to consider (although it looks like you're schedule is already full):
The dive at White Valley on Tahiti is an interesting dive. They usually do it as a "shark feed" (which I'm not a huge fan of) - the tiger sharks they get there are beefy, and are there quite often. The lemons and grey reefies make for a good backdrop

The Tahiti dive sounds like it would have been great (although not a fan of feeding either). We changed a few things and will now be doing:
3 dive days Tikehau
4 dive days Rangiroa
5.5 dive days Fakarava N & S

We were told to extend Fakarava to make sure we got to both sides of the diving and sacrificed a bit in Tikehau. Due to no Friday flights we had to lose 2 days rather than 1 there.

We are considering dive shops now and could use advice. We can use Raye Manta Diving on both Tikehau and Rangiroa, or just on Tikehau. Then use Top Dive on Rangiroa and Fakarava N and S. Any suggestions on which shop is better? Both have multi-dive packages although it looks like Raye Manta comes out less expensive.

 

[Manuel Sam]

I've used Raie Manta on all my prior trips to Rangiroa and will be using them again in December.

In North Fakarava, I've always used Kaina Plongée, formerly Fakarava Dving Center.

And in South Fakarava, I've always gone with the dive operation at Tetamanu.

I'm not saying that the above are better than others - just that they have, for the most part, served me well and have not given me reason to switch.

 

[DvrRick]

I've used Raie Manta on all my prior trips to Rangiroa and will be using them again in December.

In North Fakarava, I've always used Kaina Plongée, formerly Fakarava Dving Center.

And in South Fakarava, I've always gone with the dive operation at Tetamanu.

I'm not saying that the above are better than others - just that they have, for the most part, served me well and have not given me reason to switch.

Good to know. That helps my decision. Thank you.

 

[DvrRick]

Another dive trip coming up and another request to help plan days at each location.

Update to the Tahiti trip: Canceled due to layoff. No work, no money, no diving. Thanks for the info everyone, it would have been an amazing trip.

 

[Knockneed Man]

Bummer. I hope you get to make another run at this soon.

 

[kara.mcnair]

Just commenting - not critiquing.

I've never been to Tikehau in seven prior trips to French Polynesia. I've done mostly Fakarava and Rangiroa.

This December, I will be doing a week in Fakarava, followed by a week in Rangiroa. Six dive days each, 2 dives a day. Then 4 nights to try out Tikehau (3.5 dive days). Maybe you are on to something by spending more dive days in Tikehau than in either of the other two.

You did well to research the Air Tahiti domestic flights for the days when they fly (and more importantly, when they don't) from one to the other. As far as I am concerned, there is no right or wrong order in which to do the three, altho me doing Fakarava first meant working around the Fakarava to Rangiroa nonstop flight being available only on Mondays.

I assume that you booked or plan to book the Tuamotu Pass, which comes out cheaper than if booking each leg individually.

In Fakarava, this time I will spend the entire week in the North rather than splitting the days between South and North. I will just plan on doing day trips to the south. Ours is a group of four so we have enough people to justify the operator doing the trip south. Then it is just a matter of the tides being in synch during our time there.

The bad thing about not staying in the South at Tetamanu is missing out on the night dive, which can be quite spectacular.

Thanks for this! We're trying to see if we can figure out a last-minute trip to Fakarava and Rangiroa in February and I'm wondering - do you have recommended dive operators?

 

[Manuel Sam]

In Fakarava North, I've always gone with Kaina Plongée, formerly Fakarava Diving Centre. And after having dived with them three weeks ago, they are still my go-to operation in North Fakarava.

O2 is reputed to be good too.

I did not stay in South Fakarava this time except for doing a daytrip from the North with Kaina, but when I have stayed there, I've always stayed and dived with Tetamanu Resort.

I mentioned in an earlier reply to this thread that I was staying at Kaipolanie Gardens in North Fakarava. Having ended up staying there for 10 nights due to an airport closure, I do not hesitate in saying that this is the REAL thing: in my opinion, the best place to stay in the north for the money ($200 a night for 2 sharing a bungalow that is clean, spacious, double vanity bathroom, small fridge, 1 queen and one twin bed, half-board (you better like fish tho), AC(!!!), easy walking distance (10-20 minutes) to just about everything (store, bakery, restaurants, church and even Kaina Plongée) and absolutely the nicest hosts/owners, Cedric and Vanina.

The caveat: others have noticed too, so virtually impossible to get a booking last minute.

In Rangiroa, I have always dived with Raie Manta and hereagain, nothing happened during my three days with them 2 weeks ago that would cause me to want to take my business elsewhere. Six Passengers is reputed to be good too.