Fakarava or Rangiroa for family diving

[KateBubbles]

I am planning an island-hopping trip for me, my husband and 10 year old daughter (who will be qualified by the time we go). We will have three and a half weeks to cover Singapore, Tahiti, Moorea, one of the Tuamotus and Bora Bora.
Our Tuamotu leg will be for four nights with the main focus being on diving, but I can't decide whether to go to Fakarava or Rangiroa.
Fakarava looks epic and the passes looks amazing, even though my daughter won't be able to do them. The dive centres have said that there are some great dives within the lagoon that she can do and my husband and I could take turns doing the passes while the other dives with our daughter.
Rangiroa also looks amazing and I'm really encouraged by reading that it has a wide variety of marine life there like manta rays, dolphins, eagle rays etc, more so than Fakarava. But it has far less coral and beaches -is that all true? Is the diving there better for young divers than in Fakarava?

If I was just going with my husband then I would probably head to Fakarava but with our daughter in tow, I'm wondering if Rangiroa might be more enjoyable for her.
Any recommendations on either atoll?

 

[keptium]

Hi! Unfortunately, I do not have any answers but I am in a similar situation and would love an update if or when you end up going. I have 3 kids (10, 12, and 14) so we too will be limited by the 10 year old.

 

[moorish8idol]

Totally just one opinion, but I think Fakarava North might be a better option for your family, as between Rangi and Faka. I can highly recommend Veke Veke Village - they have a few family villas at the resort that would accommodate the 3 of you comfortably. (this is a very local, family run "resort" which very nice but somewhat rustic accommodation and stays there include breakfast and a 3-course dinner with wonderful fresh, local cuisine)

I really enjoyed Faka's non-diving activities as well as the fantastic diving in both the North and South passes (and along the North reef during outgoing tide). Veke Veke (and several other locally run resorts) is right on the lagoon and when you are not diving, you can grab snorkel gear and walk right into a snorkeling paradise just in front of the hotel, enjoying coral, tons of fish and lots of reef sharks (white tip, black tip and nurses). We even got to see plenty while sitting out on the desk eating dinner. Veke Veke also offered bikes to explore the small island and go into town to visit the shops, and was within walking distance of a few lagoon-front "snacks" (casual lunch eateries). The lagoon and beaches are not as accessible in Rangiroa which is a bigger island (so still lots to do but its a bit less accessible by foot/bike) that is a bit more spread out. I stayed in a waterfront location while there but there was no beach and no calm lagoon area where I could bathe and snorkel, like in Faka.

The pass in Rangi is quite a bit wider and the lagoon much bigger and deeper, which I think does create sometimes more challenging diving conditions in the lagoon. I dove there with very experienced people who described one of the dives as a "@&*ing vortex" (with currents changing directions quickly and sometimes moving up and down). I can't otherwise speak of what would be available for junior diver though I know it is still possible for them to dive in Rangi.

 

[RickFDA]

My wife and I have been to French Polinesia loong time ago, 2009...
We spent one week in Rangi and one in Fakarava, at Veke Veke...
At that time Veke Veke was VERY simple... No door, No windows... no hot water... but it was fine, especially when they moved us on the new rooms, which were an upgrade.
At that time one of the best pension was called Hawaiky, we went visiting them and it was a step up, even two...
Said this.. sleeping at few meters from the lagoon beach and the sound of the calm little waves, and listening the huge waves hitting the outer reef behind us.... still gives me goosebumps

regarding diving... in Rangi we basically always dove Tiputa pass, and it was awesome... two dolphins, mum and baby (Tresor & Bebè), joining us every dive at the beginning, and staying with us for the first minutes... playing with us... it was magic... and Mantas every dive, lot of sharks... and VERY strong currents... very deep diving, regularly more than 50m (above a Rescue cert. they were bringing people to 60m) so, lot of deco every dive, not for beginners, cannot imagine to gothere with our daughter (10 YO) certified, and did around 20 dives so far.
Fakarava was different but still awesome, we went two times in the south pass, possibly the best dives ever for us: a river of sharks flowing... we were holding at 20m depth looking the show.. amazing.
Anyway.. especially in the north pass I think there is more margin to dive with beginners, and still it is wonderful.

Said this, if I can... with our daughter we went to Egypt and maldives this summer, and it was fine... of course you are limited to 12m, but still there is a lot to be seen. A destination we are evaluating is Indonesia, we did (Siladen and Gangga in 2011 and it was quite nice.. relaxing shallow dives, with a lot of small stuff to be seen... kind of good introduction for a kid

My two cents...
Rick

 

[moorish8idol]

My wife and I have been to French Polinesia loong time ago, 2009...
We spent one week in Rangi and one in Fakarava, at Veke Veke...
At that time Veke Veke was VERY simple... No door, No windows... no hot water... but it was fine, especially when they moved us on the new rooms, which were an upgrade.
At that time one of the best pension was called Hawaiky, we went visiting them and it was a step up, even two...
Said this.. sleeping at few meters from the lagoon beach and the sound of the calm little waves, and listening the huge waves hitting the outer reef behind us.... still gives me goosebumps

regarding diving... in Rangi we basically always dove Tiputa pass, and it was awesome... two dolphins, mum and baby (Tresor & Bebè), joining us every dive at the beginning, and staying with us for the first minutes... playing with us... it was magic... and Mantas every dive, lot of sharks... and VERY strong currents... very deep diving, regularly more than 50m (above a Rescue cert. they were bringing people to 60m) so, lot of deco every dive, not for beginners, cannot imagine to gothere with our daughter (10 YO) certified, and did around 20 dives so far.
Fakarava was different but still awesome, we went two times in the south pass, possibly the best dives ever for us: a river of sharks flowing... we were holding at 20m depth looking the show.. amazing.
Anyway.. especially in the north pass I think there is more margin to dive with beginners, and still it is wonderful.

Said this, if I can... with our daughter we went to Egypt and maldives this summer, and it was fine... of course you are limited to 12m, but still there is a lot to be seen. A destination we are evaluating is Indonesia, we did (Siladen and Gangga in 2011 and it was quite nice.. relaxing shallow dives, with a lot of small stuff to be seen... kind of good introduction for a kid

My two cents...
Rick

Veke Veke has been updated! There is definitely hot water, doors and windows on all of the villas (which are all steps to the lagoon if not right on top of it). Havaiki Lodge is probably the nicest accommodation on the island and at least when I was there a few years back, was the only place on the island that had A/C accommodations as options. I did visit it for an amazing Polynesian massage (amazing, recommended) and a few drinks on the beach, but I personally preferred the more authentic, intimate, family-vibes at Veke Veke.