Fakarava
The ultimate get-away expedition remote and soletary shark diving aboard a luxury catamaran
The Tuamotu Archipelago offers the very best diving in French Polynesia.
With vibrant coral reefs, dramatic walls, exhilarating drift dives through passes, and abundant pelagic life—all with remarkably few divers—it remains a true hidden gem and a new addition to Insider Divers favorite sites. The region is renowned for its extraordinary shark populations: channels in each atoll teem with white tips, black tips, tiger sharks, great hammerheads, and lemon sharks. Our journey will include three to four atolls, from North and South Fakarava to lesser-visited gems like Kauehi and Taou. On the latter, we’ll enjoy the rare luxury of being the only divers in the water.
OUR PROMISE
Insider Divers thrive to create the best possible scuba expeditions by selecting the optimal season and best operator for every destination.
- Season: In French Polynesia you want to travel in the South Pacific winter, with calmer and clearer seas, and lots of action.
- Operator: There are only a handful of boats diving that area, and this is the best ship with the longest track record.
- Group Trip: You will be in the company of nine other ocean lovers
- Insider: Your Insider Divers group leader who handles logistics, making your trip effortless. He will enrich your experience with wildlife talks and provide professional photos as a memory of your trip.
Overview
Animals
Accommodation
Aquatiki 3
AQUATIKI III is purpose-built for exceptional diving across remote Polynesian atolls. The team brings decades of local experience and is widely regarded as the region’s only reliable operators.
Aquatiki 3
VIP Double Cabin
Room for couples and the most spacious of the rooms
Modular Cabin
This room can be either a double for a couple or a twin with a wall and curtain installed.
Twin Bunk
Two individual travellers in a bunk bed set up
Activities
Shark Dives
Shark Dives
The diving in French Polynesia's most famous atolls is all about the sharks. There are endless reef sharks that you either drift by, or hold on for closer observation.
You will likely also encounter other larger sharks like Tiger Shark, Great Hammerhead or Silky Sharks
Drift Dives
Drift Dives
Almost all dives are drifts through the passes (channels) between the atoll outer reefs. The dives are timed with the tides, so that you always have the ingoing current in your back, drifting along the wonderful reefs of Polynesia.
Current Dives
Current Dives
When it is not a drift dive it is a current dive. The water masses are pushing through the passes (channels) and in the speed of the water the fish and sharks are swimming at ease while humans have to hold on or use a reef hook.
Other Activities
Other Activities
These cruises offer far more than scuba diving. Guests can enjoy land excursions and cultural tours, meeting welcoming locals and experiencing traditions preserved for generations. You’ll discover the art of copra extraction and the secrets behind black pearl grafting. The idyllic lagoons also invite you to indulge in water sports such as snorkeling, waterskiing, fishing, and of course, diving.
Trip leader
Matt Boyle
Matt Boyle is an experienced dive professional, tour guide and marine biologist with over 15 years of experience exploring the Pacific's islands and waters. Palau is his home and he is one of leading experts in animal behaviour and fish spawning aggregations in particular.
REsponsibilities
- Briefings
- All organisation and logistics
- Wildlife presentations on sharks, rays and marine life
- History Talks on WWII
- Scuba coaching
- Taking and sharing professional underwater photography
Itinerary
Inclusions
- Accommodation based on twin share
- All diving, snorkeling and activities
- Full board, snacks and soft drinks
- Wildlife Presentations
- Towels, soap & shampoo
- Professional photos
- Access to Insider Divers Portal
- FREE T-shirt
- International and local flights
- Rental equipment
- Nitrox (mandatory on Insider Divers trips)
- Tips
Reviews
Fakarava and the 700 Sharks of Fakarava dives ranks as one of the top three dive sites for me.
Simon, as usual, works his magic when things don't go as planned. We ran into some unforeseen situations. As he normally does, whether he's on the trip or working from afar, he worked things out.
I have been impressed with every one of my four trips with Insider Divers. Whether SCUBA diving, snorkeling, or free diving, Insider Divers provides some of the most unique, most exciting, and off-the-beaten path trips one can imagine.
Without a doubt, recommend Insider Divers and Simon's crew!
Insider Divers exceeded expectations on my first trip to French Polynesia.
Expertly planned dives brought us face‑to‑face with sharks, manta rays, vibrant reefs, and pristine corals.
Simon improved my breathing and bottom time with new techniques, while educational presentations enriched every dive. Add in his stunning photography shared with us — it was truly a world‑class experience.
If you want expert diving, book with Insider Divers.
Insider Divers exceeded expectations on my first trip to French Polynesia.
Expertly planned dives brought us face‑to‑face with sharks, manta rays, vibrant reefs, and pristine corals.
Simon improved my breathing and bottom time with new techniques, while educational presentations enriched every dive. Add in his stunning photography shared with us — it was truly a world‑class experience.
If you want expert diving, book with Insider Divers.
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FAQ
What dive experience do I need for this trip?
This destination offers accessible diving conditions, but it is not suitable for beginners. To join, participants should have:
- A minimum of 80 logged dives
- Advanced Open Water (AOW) certification or higher
- Nitrox certification (mandatory on all Insider Divers trips to ensure longer, safer dives)
- Liveaboard experience
This is an advanced diving location and recommend that you are a comfortable diver with liveaboard experience for joining this trip.
All of this is relative - arrange a call with us to discuss your experience and we can discuss if this trip is suitable or perhaps what steps should be taken to achieve it.
Will I get seasick?
This destination can be moderately challenging for those prone to seasickness, as we have to cross between atolls and we are on a sailing ship. On the other hand, the water is very calm inside the atolls where the boat will spend most of the stationary time as well as at night.
For peace of mind, we recommend packing seasickness medication, though most guests find it unnecessary and only use it in rare, unexpected cases.
What should I pack and bring?
As part of our process you will receive a log in to our Insider Divers portal which will have downloads, such as an extensive packing list after signing up.
We do recommend bringing your own gear but you can also rent everything on site.
When is the best time to dive Fakarava and the Tuamotus?
French Polynesia offers year-round diving. The dry season from May through October tends to bring the most stable weather and visibility. The famous grouper spawning aggregation at Fakarava's south pass typically happens in June or July around the full moon, with thousands of camouflage groupers and wall-to-wall shark action. On the other hand August to October is Humpback Whale season allowing us to offer a whale swimming extension to this trip.
What marine life can I expect in Fakarava?
Fakarava is famous for dense shark populations, particularly grey reef sharks in the passes. Expect drift diving with sharks, schooling fish, napoleon wrasse, turtles, eagle rays, manta rays in season, and occasional dolphins. Healthy coral cover and vibrant reef fish life complete the picture.
How do I get to Fakarava?
Fly into Faa'a International Airport (PPT) in Tahiti, then take a domestic flight with Air Tahiti to Fakarava (FAV). Our liveaboard will board in Fakarava.
An overnight in Tahiti before the cruise is mandatory to avoid missed connections.
We’re here to help — reach out with any question you may have.