Fakarava and Rangiroa for April 2026

[guillm]

Greetings, I was fortunate enough to visit French Polynesia this year (Moorea and Bora Bora). I really enjoyed the diving in Moorea with healthy coral, sharks, etc.

Next year I want to return to dive Fakarava and Rangiroa. I'm thinking 4 days on each island. I'm considering the Havaiki Lodge on Fakarava and the Kia Sofitel on Rangiroa. Probably will go to Fakarava first and then catch flight to Rangiroa. I always like to lodge at better hotel on end of trip. Few Questions:
a. For Fakarava, we'll lodge at the Havaiki Lodge. I would like to dive the North Pass and South Pass. How far is the boat ride to most North Pass sites from Havaiki? How far is the boat ride to the South Pass?
b. We're usually good with just two dives a day. I'm assuming any trip to the South Pass is a full day trip before you get back to North side lodging. What about dives to North Pass though? With 2 dives, what time are you usually back at lodging. Of course, I know this weather dependent.
c. Has anyone lodged at the Havaiki Lodge at Fakarava recently? What are your thoughts? A/C adequate? Food ok?
d. What about Kia Sofitel on Rangiroa? Did you use the dive shop at the hotel? If so, were you pleased with operation?

Thanks is advance for your help.

 

[Manuel Sam]

Something to be aware of: on an itinerary of Papeete - Fakarava - Rangiroa - Papeete, and unless Air Tahiti changes their schedules, it is only on Mondays that they have direct flights from Fakarava to Rangiroa. On all other days, it probably entails flying back to Papeete and possibly overnighting there before flying to Rangiroa the following day.

Your item a. I am not aware that Havaiki has an in-house dive operation, but that could have changed. Assuming that they don't and that you have inquired with one of dive operations and they have agreed to pick you up at the Havaiki dock, then it is probably about 20 minutes to the North dive sites, provided it is not really choppy. If they are not picking you up at the Havaiki dock, then it is likely that they will pick you up by car and bring you to the dive shop, and from there to the North dive sites might be 20-25 minutes, depending on how much further south they are from Havaiki , and again, sea conditions. The boat ride to the South is 1 1/2 to 2 hrs.

Your item b. Yes, any trip to the South is a full day, 2-tank trip. As for dives in the North, I always dive with Kaina, and usually it is a morning dive and an afternoon dive. On some occasions, it might be two morning dives if the tides are right and they can squeeze two dives with an incoming tide. The time back is variable because of the tides, which means that the start time might be different from day to day. Regardless, at least with Kaina, it is always 2 dives a day. I dont know if any of the others - O2, Dive Spirit or Top Dive - offer a third dive.

Can't help you with your items c or d. But on my most recent trip this past December, I stayed at Kaipolanie Gardens and their AC worked just fine. The issue with them is that they only have two bungalows and they book very fast. They are cheaper than Havaiki, but you better like fish, whereas at Havaiki, the menu is more varied.

 

[pintodog]

I was just there this week (Fakarava and Havaiki):
A. Havaiki does not have an onsite dive operation. Dive shops will pick you up by car from the lodge. Dive shops are relatively close by (5 minute drive). I dove the North with O2 Fakarava, which is just a little to the south of Havaiki. Trip to the pass took about 15 minutes or so. I took Top Dive (a little north of Havaiki) to the South Pass. It takes a bit under 1 hour and 30 minutes.
B. Correct. Trip to the South is all day. We left at 9 am and returned at 4 pm. Two dives with an awesome 2 hour surface interval with fresh lunch at pink sand beach. In the North, we only did two dives a day. The time of the trip depends on the tides. They want to time it with an incoming tide so that you get the best visibility and best shark action. This means that your start time depends on the tide. I did 3 days in the north and my pickup times at Havaiki were 12 noon, 11 am, and 7 am. They will tell you a few days before hand when the pickup times are.
C. Stayed at Havaiki in a Garden Fare this week. It is a beautiful place with a beautiful beach. The staff takes really good care of the place and there are lots of things you can do. Breakfast was a solid European style continental. Dinner was a set menu. Both were good. Lunch is not included but the onsite beach cafe has good food. The room had no AC (did have a fan) and there are mosquitos. Sunsets are glorious here. There is a reason this place books up so far in advance. It is great.
D. Cannot help you with this one. I dove only Rangiroa 4 years ago. The consistent point I heard was that Fakarava was better diving so I didn’t do both this trip. Having now dived both…I agree. Rangiroa has the potential to see dolphins but I enjoyed the diving in Fakarava so much more.
Good luck with your trip!