FRENCH POLYNESIA
CAMOUFLAGE GROUPER SPAWNING
FAKARAVA ATOLL
THE EXPEDITION
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED - ADVANCED OPEN WATER LEVEL WITH 50 DIVES MIN
The Tuamotu Archipelago or the Tuamotu Islands are a French Polynesian chain of just under 80 islands and atolls in the southern Pacific Ocean.
They constitute the largest chain of atolls in the world, extending (from northwest to southeast) over an area roughly the size of Western Europe.,their combined land area is 850 square kilometres. Divers come here to dive the famous WALL OF SHARKS where Laurent Ballesta and his Gombessa team documented the spawning and shark predation at night.
Join Unique Ocean Expeditions team as we continue to document the annual spawning of the camouflage grouper.
FAKARAVA ATOLL
Fakarava, Havaiki-te-araro, Havai'i or Farea is an atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It is the second largest of the Tuamotu atolls. The nearest land is Toau, a coral atoll which lies 14 kilometres to the northwest.
The atoll is rectangular and its length is 60 kilometres, its width 21 kilometres. Fakarava has a wide and deep lagoon with a surface of 1,112 square kilometres with two passes. The main pass to enter the lagoon, located in its north-western end, is known as Passe Garuae and it is the largest pass in French Polynesia; the southern pass is called Tumakohua.
Fakarava has 837 inhabitants, mainly living in the main village called Rotoava, in the north.
PASSE GARUAE PASS (North Pass)
The Garuae Pass is the widest channel in French Polynesia and is located in the north of the atoll. Currents can be particularly strong, and the channel itself is usually only dived on a slack or incoming tide. Plenty of grey reef sharks patrol the giant entrance while thousands of fish are hiding in the channel dug outs.
Possible manta ray encounters can be seen further up the channel wall, as well as a healthy reef of beautiful hard corals and a number of pelagics - including huge numbers of grey reef sharks and plenty of dog tooth tuna.
TUMAKOHUA PASS (South Pass)
Tumakohua Pass located in the far south of the atoll, is an hour’s boat ride from Rotoava and is very different from Passe Garuae in the north.
Only 200-metres wide, this pass is far narrower with currents surprisingly calmer. On any given day, this site can provide some truly spectacular dives, particularly if you’re interested in sharks. The pass has several spots where divers can find shelter and watch as numerous sharks patrol through the pass. A cave cut into the side of the channel, known as Shark’s Hole or Shark Wall, is also home to tons of grey reef sharks.
Other than the WALL OF SHARKS, Tumakohua Pass is most famous for its annual camouflage grouper spawning event.
CAMOUFLAGE GROUPER AGGREGATION
Leading up to the full moon tens of thousands of Camouflage Groupers (Epinephelus polyphekadion) are gathering around French Polynesia’s channels preparing to spawn, especially that of Fakarava South Pass. This channel holds the record number of groupers documented at over 18,000 individuals.
We begin our expedition before the full moon diving some of the big name sites with currents in preparation for the main event. These dives are very early morning dives, as the sun rises, we will begin the dive to watch the spectacle that is about to unfold.
A huge aggregation of groupers will rise from their hiding places, to ensure the continuation of their species. Witnessing this natural behaviour--which only can be described as an underwater firework display of energy and excitement--also attracts the biggest predators in Fakarava south pass such as hundreds of grey reef sharks, silver tips, oceanic blacktips, lemon sharks and more.
AVAILABLE DATES 2026
19 - 04 JULY 2026
AQUA TIKI 3 - LIVEABOARD
FAKARAVA GROUPER SPAWNING & TUAMOTU ISLANDS EXPEDITION
15 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION, 16 DAYS, 2 DIVES PER DAY & NITROX - ALL FOOD INCLUSIVE - $6,699
AVAILABLE DATES 2027
11- 26 JUNE 2027
AQUA TIKI 3 - LIVEABOARD
FAKARAVA GROUPER SPAWNING & TUAMOTU ISLANDS EXPEDITION
15 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION, 16 DAYS, 2 DIVES PER DAY & NITROX - ALL FOOD INCLUSIVE - $8,299
ITINERARY
15 NIGHTS / 16 DAYS / 2 DIVES PER DAY
Day One - Domestic Flight to Fakarava Airport (FAV) - Tahiti Air (PPT) - Arrival at the airport of Fakarava, welcome by the crew of the AQUA TIKI, then transfer onto the boat.
Day Two - Toau - Early morning departure for Toau, sunrise at sea, smooth sailing helped by the trade winds, breakfast and two dives.
Day Three - Toau - Sunrise on the spectacular Toau lagoon, water sports, scuba-dive
Day Four - Amyot bay - Early-morning sail towards the Amyot bay, anchorage in a cove, scuba-dive.
Day Five - Aratika - Early morning sail for Aratika, big-game fishing, anchorage in front of a sublime bay, scuba-dive.
Day Six - Aratika - Sunrise, smooth sail in the lagoon, scuba-dive on an exciting wall, tour of the charming little village of Aratika, where you will meet many pearl farmers.
Day Seven - Kauehi - Early morning scuba-dive, then departure for Kauehi, big-game fishing or sailing initiation. Anchorage on the coral reef, scuba-dive
Day Eight - Tahanea - We will dive the North Pass of Fakarava Atoll
Day Nine - Tahanea- We will dive the North Pass of Fakarava Atoll
Day Ten - Tahanea - We will dive the South Pass of Fakarava Atoll, looking for Camouflage Groupers
Day Eleven - Fakarava - South Pass We will dive the South Pass of Fakarava Atoll, looking for Camouflage Groupers
Day Twelve - Fakarava - South Pass - We will dive the South Pass of Fakarava Atoll, looking for Camouflage Groupers
Day Thirteen - Fakarava - North Pass - We will dive the South Pass of Fakarava Atoll, looking for Camouflage Groupers
Day Fourteen - Fakarava - North Pass - We will dive the South Pass of Fakarava Atoll, looking for Camouflage Groupers
Day Fifteen - Garuae Pass - We will dive the South Pass of Fakarava Atoll, looking for Camouflage Groupers
Day Sixteen - Depart - Domestic Flight to Papeete Airport (FAV) - Tahiti Air (PPT) from Fakarava Airport
ACCOMMODATION
AQUA TIKI 3 - LIVEABOARD
10 Divers
AVAILABLE DATES 2029
23 - 29 JUNE 2029
AITO MOTU - LANDBASED
FAKARAVA GROUPER SPAWNING EXPEDITION ONLY
6 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION, 5 DAYS DIVING - ALL MEALS INCLUSIVE
ACCOMMODATION
MOTU AITO PARADISE - LANDBASED
Motu Aito Paradise welcomes you to its private island south of Fakarava. Its eight bungalows, built in traditional style, bring out the charm of old Polynesia.
Motu Aito Paradise welcomes you to its private island south of Fakarava. Its eight bungalows built in a traditional style bring out the charm of old Polynesia.
Each bungalow is equipped with a comfortable bed, storage space and a private bathroom.
When you make your reservation, you can choose from our two garden bungalows, two lagoon bungalows on the water and our four suites!
For your dining pleasure, we offer you hearty and very good dishes served in the morning, midday and evening. During your tastings, you will be able to taste freshly caught fish, lobsters*. Everything is there to delight your taste buds in a heavenly setting!
The team is at your disposal to make your stay as pleasant as possible. Comfort and authenticity give rhythm to this pension.
2029 ITINERARY
6 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS
Day One - Domestic Flight to Fakarava Airport (FAV) - Tahiti Air (VT 557) from Papeete (PPT) @ 13.35pm, arrives in Fakarava (FAV) @ 15.50pm
Day Two - North Pass - We will dive the North Pass of Fakarava Atoll
Day Three - North Pass - We will dive the North Pass of Fakarava Atoll
Day Four - South Pass - We will dive the South Pass of Fakarava Atoll, looking for Camouflage Groupers & Night Dive
Day Five - South Pass - We will dive the South Pass of Fakarava Atoll, looking for Camouflage Groupers & Night Dive
Day Six - South Pass - We will dive the South Pass of Fakarava Atoll, looking for Camouflage Groupers
Day Seven - South Pass - We will dive the South Pass of Fakarava Atoll, looking for Camouflage Groupers
Day Eight - Depart and onBoard Aqua Tiki III
29 - 09 JULY 2029
AQUA TIKI 3 - LIVEABOARD
TUAMOTU ATOLL DIVING EXTENSION
10 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION, 9 DIVING DAYS - ALL FOOD INCLUSIVE - $11,200
2029 ITINERARY
AQUA TIKI III EXTENSION
10 EXTRA NIGHTS / 9 EXTRA DAYS / 9 EXTRA DIVING DAYS
Day Eight - Sat Overnight in Papeete
Day Nine - Snorkel/Dive - Papeete Island
Day Ten - Travel Day - Travel To Moorea Island with Ferry
Day Eleven - Snorkel/Dive - Moorea Island
Day Twelve - Depart - Ferry back to Papeete (PPT) and onto Airport
Day Eight - Sat Overnight in Papeete
Day Nine - Snorkel/Dive - Papeete Island
Day Ten - Travel Day - Travel To Moorea Island with Ferry
Day Eleven - Snorkel/Dive - Moorea Island
Day Twelve - Depart - Ferry back to Papeete (PPT) and onto Airport
FAKARAVA ATOLL LOCATION
INCLUDES
14 or 6 days of Diving
16 or 7 Nights Accommodation in Fakarava North
All Meals
Tanks & Weights
EXCLUDES
International Flight to Papeete
Domestic Flight to Fakarava
Gratuities
Rental Dive Equipment
DIVE SITE INFORMATION
WATER TEMPERATURE - 26c / 73F
WETSUIT - 5mm / 3mm
Fakarava
Located southeast of Rangiroa, Fakarava is home to the second largest lagoon in the Tuamotu Atolls. This rectangular reef encloses such a rich ecosystem that it has been designated by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. The area both inside and around Fakarava is known to safeguard a variety of endemic wildlife. In fact, out of the entire commune including small atolls such as Niau, Raraka, Taiaro and Toau, some are completely closed to the ocean, creating a nursery for precious underwater flora and fauna.
Fakarava South Pass - One of French Polynesia’s most famous dives, and probably the sharkiest dive on the planet. It’s all about diving the passes in French Polynesia and generally done on an incoming tide. On most dives you will start in the mouth of the pass spending time watching the wall of sharks 200+ and let the current drift you inside as you pass by the marine life. Divers are dazzled by the incredible variety of fish, including barracudas, jacks, Napoleon wrasses and schooling grey reef sharks. Strong tidal currents render it a dive for the more experienced.
Fakarava North Pass - The only other pass in Fakarava and normally has strong currents. This pass is much wider than the south pass and currents here can be wild. Schooling yellow snappers are hiding in the large holes which make a great place to hide and let the sharks and fish come to you. Silvertip’s, hammerheads and eagle rays are common visitors.
SPAWNING DIVE INFORMATION
POTENTIAL CURRENT DIVES
The yearly aggregation of camouflage grouper (Epinephelus polyphekadion) has been known for many decades in the South Pacific. Scientists have come and gone since the late 70’s observing their patterns and protecting them and their vulnerable spawning sites around the islands during the months of June through to August.
WORKSHOP SKILLS
RICHARD BARNDEN will be leading this expedition and sharing his knowledge and skills of shooting spawning groupers at night and grey reef shark at night. Each evening Richard will give in depth presentations about the following days diving along with photography tips on settings and compositions.
SKILLS EXPLORED
Equipment and Photographic Gears
Night Diving Environments
Photographing Sharks
Lighting - Ambient Light
Lighting - Strobes vs Continues light
Settings and Compositions
