Fakarava
French Polynesia · Tuamotu Archipelago
Fakarava is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and one of the world's premier drift diving destinations. The South Pass (Tumakohua) is legendary for its wall of sharks — hundreds of grey reef sharks hunting in formation during the June grouper spawning aggregation. Two coral-fringed passes funnel nutrient-rich Pacific water through the atoll, creating powerful drift dives past healthy coral gardens teeming with reef fish, Napoleon wrasse, and eagle rays.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Live science signals for this reef are still being gathered.
Coral cover
Fish life
More fish than a healthy reef of its kind.
Heat
Fishing
Open to fishing, and the water is fairly quiet.
Sources · Reef Life Survey · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
What you will see
17 species across the dive sites here
Napoleon Wrasse
Seen 4 months ago
at Tetamanu Wall
Endangered
Bluefin Trevally
Seen 10 months ago
at Garuae Inner Lagoon
Least concern
Giant Moray Eel
Seen Aug 2025
at Tetamanu Wall
Least concern
Moorish Idol
Seen Jul 2025
at Tetamanu Wall
Least concern
Yellowtail Parrotfish
Seen Jul 2025
at Tetamanu Wall
Blacktip Reef Shark
Seen Oct 2024
at Garuae Inner Lagoon
Vulnerable
Acropora Coral
Seen year round
at Tetamanu Wall
Black-tipped Butterflyfish
Seen year round
at Tetamanu Wall
Least concern
Blue-spotted Stingray
Seen year round
at Garuae Inner Lagoon
Least concern
Garden Eel
Seen year round
at Garuae Inner Lagoon
Giant Clam
Seen year round
at Tetamanu Wall
Critically endangered
Golden Trevally
Seen year round
at Garuae Inner Lagoon
Least concern
Porites Coral
Seen year round
at Tetamanu Wall
Yellowmask Angelfish
Seen year round
at Tetamanu Wall
Least concern
Yellowtail Fusilier
Seen year round
at Garuae Inner Lagoon
Least concern
Blackfin Barracuda
Seasonal visitor
at Tetamanu Wall
Crown-of-thorns Starfish
Seasonal visitor
at Garuae Inner Lagoon
