île de Rangiroa
By Chloé MARCHENOIR 
By Chloé MARCHENOIR
- What is there to do in Rangiroa?
- What are the best places to visit from Rangiroa?
- When to go to Rangiroa?
- How do I get to Rangiroa?
A trip to Polynesia would not be complete without a detour to Rangiroa, in the northwest ofthe Tuamotu Archipelago. There's nothing better than sailing from island to island on a catamaran cruise to visit an archipelago! Book your cabin now on board a luxurious catamaran, shared with a few other privileged individuals. A skipper will take care of navigation and the pre-determined sailing itinerary from the side of the boat, while a hostess will keep the common areas clean and prepare delicious meals for you.
The largest atoll in Tahiti and the second largest in the world with more than 200 motus making up its coral reef, you can't pass by Rangiroa when sailing in the archipelago. Although the atoll is world-famous for its diving spots, which resemble natural aquariums, there is no need for an anchored boat to appreciate its beauty! There are many possibilities for visiting the atoll, with excursions to the Blue Lagoon or Reef Island.
What is there to do in Rangiroa?
Rangiroa is the ideal destination for exploring the underwater fauna, as the diversity of fish is so great. Whether you are experienced in diving or a novice in the field, you can discover the seabed and have the chance to swim alongsideof whales, manta rays, dolphins and even sharks of all kinds (tiger, gray, hammerhead, white tip…). The most recommended diving sites are certainly in the Tiputa and Avatoru passes. Life populates the depths there, so much so that those who enter it enter a true fantasy world.
Seabed of the Tiputa Pass
The natural wonder that is the atoll of Rangiroa contains another. The Blue Lagoon, a small lagoon created in the heart of the atoll's small islands, is well worth a stop during a catamaran cruise for a swim or a snorkeling session. Here, the totally harmless black-tipped sharks are the masters of the place. Another site not to be missed for snorkeling: Reef Island. Created over thousands of years of corrosion, this lunar landscape is different from the rest of the atoll. You can swim in small natural pools surrounded by feo, coral formations that can reach two meters in height.
île aux Récifs
A catamaran cruise to Rangiroa is also an opportunity to be charmed by the local culture. Visit the Gauguin pearl farm, located on Avatoru motu, one of the largest black pearl farms in the Pacific. You can discover the grafting process during a guided tour of the farm and, who knows, you might even leave with a pearl! Don't leave Rangiroa without tasting its wine, coral wine! Produced on a small motu of the atoll, it is the pride of the locals. You can taste it at Dominique Auroy's estate.
What are the best places to visit from Rangiroa?
The atoll of Tikehau
The atoll of Tikehau is a must during a catamaran cruise in the Tuamotu Archipelago. It is renowned for its pink sand beaches, which owe their color to the accumulation of foraminifera shells, which are similar to fragments of coral reefs and other marine animals. The latter give pink nuances to the sandbanks that emerge from the translucent, shallow waters of the lagoon. Described by Jacques Cousteau as the most fishy atoll in the world, the site is ideal for scuba diving or snorkeling. Away from the tourist trail, the atoll of Tikehau offers the opportunity to sail from motu to motu in complete tranquility, especially since the latter are uninhabited. Only the atoll's wildlife populates these small islets. Motu Puarua is a true natural reserve, inhabited by thousandsof seabirds.
Beach on the Tikehau atoll
The island of Makatea
On a cruise in the archipelago, you can't pass by Makatea, makatea meaning elevated atoll, hence the name of the island. A coral limestone plateau with cliffs on its side of the boat that rise to over 80 meters, the island has a rather surprising geography. In addition to its atypical shape, it has many cultural attractions. Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Vaitepaua, a city created to house the thousands of workers in the former phosphate mine! This deposit had been discovered in very large quantities on the island and proved to be Polynesia's primary resource in the mid-20th century. Today, the island has only about sixty inhabitants, who make a living from fishing, the coconut crab trade and copra cultivation. The island's caves, of which there are many due to the dissolution of limestone, are a must-see. The most popular, both with tourists and locals who come to have fun and wash, is Hina Cave. It has several chambers: the Vaimarui cave, inside which hangs a stalactite known as the "elephant's foot", which you can make disappear by touching the seabed with your left handu for it to come true; the Vairoa cave, in which the stalagmite «of the princess» rises out of the water. Princess Hina would come there to bathe on full moon nights, coated in monoï de Maiere ma'atea.
Makatea Plateau
When to go on a cruise to Rangiroa?
Rangiroa, located in Polynesia, enjoys a tropical climate, with high temperatures (around 30°) all year round and constant sunshine. However, it is preferable to visit the region during the dry season, which runsfrom April to October; rainfall is rare and the heat less stifling. Moreover, it is the period least exposed to the risk of cyclones, as the cyclone season runs from November to April.
How do I get to Rangiroa?
Unsurprisingly, the easiest way to get to Polynesia isby plane. You must first take a flight to the capital, Papeete, located on the island of Tahiti, to reach Faa'a International Airport. From Papeete, you can take a direct flight of just over an hour to Rangiroa airport with the local company Air Tahiti. You can then easily reach a nautical base to start your Rangiroa cruise!
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