THE EXPEDITION

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.

RANGIROA ATOLL

Rangiroa ('vast sky') or Te Kokōta is the largest atoll in the Tuamotus and the second largest in the world. It is situated in the Tuamotu Archipelago, The vast inner lagoon is like an inland sea, protected by 200-kilometres of barrier reef and hundreds of islets decorated with palm trees and pink and white sand beaches, only two of which are inhabited.

Both of these towns are in the north, the towns of Avatoru and Tiputa. Both destination’s have a typical island style laid-back atmosphere synonymous with the pristine wilderness of the South Pacific Ocean.

Being very accessible yet secluded in every way, this island off the beaten track is both known from its renowned diving as well as exceptional lagoons.

These remote  atolls may take some effort to get to, but for adventurous divers, they are well worth the extra effort. Visitors get a front-row seat to some truly jaw-dropping experiences, including encounters with immense schools of fish, playful bottlenose dolphins , and several shark species including grey, lemon, silky, nurse and tiger sharks, as well as great hammerheads.

Rangiroa Atoll is made up of around 415 small islets and sandbars, with over 100 narrow passageways in between. Dive sites are scattered around these channels and are located both inside and outside the lagoon, offering a wide variety of experiences and levels of difficulty.

Typically, diving is done on the ocean side of the reef during outgoing tides, with drifts into the lagoon performed when the tide is coming in. And, while there is no shore diving in Rangiroa, all the sites are accessible by a short five or ten-minute boat ride.

AVATORU PASS AND TIPUTA PASS

Many of Rangiroa’s most famous dive sites are found in the north of the atoll, clustered around the two main channels lying either side of the Avatoru Island.

The western channel is home to the Avatoru Pass drift dive which is renowned for reef shark encounters, but for many, the eastern channel is where the real action is.

Known as Tiputa Pass, this site is only suitable for advanced divers and offers some of the atoll’s most iconic underwater experiences. Expect thrilling drifts with plenty of bigger species, including schools of jacks, surgeonfish and barracuda, occasional leopard rays, mantas and dolphins, and resident whitetip and grey reef sharks.

THE RATES

2025

FAKARAVA GROUPER SPAWNING EXPEDITION ONLY

09 NIGHTS, 8 DAYS DIVING - PRIVATE BOAT - ALL BOARD/FOOD - 12 Spaces ONLY - $4,899

06 NIGHTS, 5 DAYS DIVING - PRIVATE BOAT - ALL BOARD/FOOD - 12 Spaces ONLY - $3,649

RANGIROA ONLY

03 NIGHTS, 2 DAYS DIVING - 12 Spaces ONLY - $1,499

FAKARAVA & RANGIROA COMBO EXPEDITION

12 NIGHTS, 9 DAYS DIVING - 12 Spaces ONLY - $6,398

9 NIGHTS, 7 DAYS DIVING - 12 Spaces ONLY - $5,148

AVAILABLE DATES

FAKARAVA ONLY

2025

2026

AVAILABLE DATES

FAKARAVA GROUPER SPAWNING AND RANGIROA COMBO EXPEDITION

2025

2026

ACCOMMODATION

FAKARAVA SOUTH PASS

TETEMANU VILLAGE

ALL RATES ARE BASED ON SHARED ROOM PER PERSON BASIS

ACCOMMODATION

RANGIROA

LE MAITAI RESORT

ALL RATES ARE BASED ON SHARED ROOM PER PERSON BASIS

ALL EXPEDITIONS AVAILABILITY AND DATES

ITINERARY

LOCATION

(Google Earth)

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.

• Kauehi - Kauehi, or Putake, is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Raraka Atoll, located 17 km to the Southeast. Kauehi has a wide lagoon measuring 24 km by 18 km. The atoll has a lagoon area of 320 km², and a land area of 16 km². Kauehi's lagoon has one navigable pass

• Toau - Toau, Pakuria, is a coral atoll in French Polynesia, one of the Palliser Islands (Îles Pallisier). Toau has a wide lagoon; length 35 kilometres (22 miles), width 18 kilometres (11 miles). The nearest land is Fakarava Atoll, located 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) to the southeast.

• Tahaena - Tahanea Atoll measures 48 kilometres (30 mi) in length with a maximum width of 15.2 kilometres (9.4 miles). The southern reef fringing the atoll is wider than the northern one, but the largest islands are on the narrower northern rim. Tahanea has a wide and deep lagoon with a surface of 545 square kilometres (210 square miles) . There are three deep, navigable, passes into the lagoon, which are called Motupuapua, Teavatapu and Otao.

• Aratika - Aratika Atoll has an unusual butterfly shape. Its length is 20.8 km2 (8.0 sq mi) and its maximum width 10.7 km2 (4.1 sq mi) . It has a land area of approximately 8.3 km2 (3.2 sq mi) . The lagoon is wide and deep, and can be entered by two navigable passes.
  
  

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