Tiputa Pass
French Polynesia · Tuamotu Archipelago
Rangiroa is the world's second largest atoll, with two passes (Tiputa, Avatoru) that funnel current and pelagics — grey reef sharks, dolphins (often), hammerheads (in season), tuna, manta rays. The Tuamotu archipelago's gateway atoll.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Tiputa Pass dolphins and shark schooling are the draw. Reef cover at the pass is stable.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
No unusual heat right now.
Fishing
Some fishing is allowed here, in marked zones.
Sources · Reef Check surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
Coral cover over time
Live coral cover, by survey year
Across surveys in 2014 and 2024, live coral cover here has fallen from 44% to 42%. Every point is a real survey reading, never a projection.
Live coral cover, percent by year
| Year | Coral cover |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 44% |
| 2024 | 42% |
What you will see
7 species across the dive sites here
Bottlenose dolphin
Seen 3 months ago
at Tiputa Pass
Least concern
Whitetip reef shark
Seen 3 months ago
at Avatoru Pass
Vulnerable
Grey reef shark
Seen 3 months ago
at Tiputa Pass
Endangered
Schooling barracuda
Seen 6 months ago
at Tiputa Pass
Least concern
Great hammerhead
Seen Dec 2024
at Tiputa Pass
Critically endangered
Spotted eagle ray
Seasonal visitor
at Avatoru Pass
Endangered
Manta ray
Rare sighting
at Tiputa Pass
Vulnerable
Dive sites
What divers say
Dolphins joined our pass dive at Tiputa and surfed the current with us. Polynesia's signature moment.
Good to know
Combine with Fakarava
Most divers do both Tuamotu atolls in one trip.