14 Day Itinerary: Fakarava / Rangiroa
Day 1. Arrival in Fakarava. Askari will be anchored in a beautiful spot, you will be welcomed onboard with a glass of champagne and given a safety tour of the vessel. Famous Garuae pass is just minutes away by tender and the site for our first dive.
Day 2. Today we dive "the corner" and also have the opportunity to visit a pearl farm. The cultivation of Tahitian black pearl is a big industry in the Tuamotu and a fascinating process. We cruise south towards Fakarava Sud in the afternoon and anchor by sunset off a lovely beach.
Day 3. Fakarava Sud. One of our personal favorites, this anchorage at the southern end of Fakarava lagoon features "pink sand" motus (tiny islands) and a fabulous pass for diving.
Day 4. We dive and relax today with many different watersport activities available. Wake boarding, water skiing, paddle boarding, beach volleyball... And a picnic onshore under our own shade canopy on a deserted motu.
Day 5. Early departure to Tahanea Atoll some 50 miles distance. A great chance to set the trolling lines and catch our lunch. We anchor by Teavatapu pass and enjoy some fantastic dives at this area. Tahanea is an uninhabited atoll and we often see dolphin here during our dives.
Day 6. Exploring Tahanea. We have found a magical group of sandy motu inside the lagoon where we love to spend the day exploring. For nature lovers this is a special area as many birds nest here and you can see baby chicks in all stages of development as you explore the motus. We depart after dinner for an overnight passage to Toau, 85 miles away to the NW.
Day 7. Toau Atoll. Diving in Toau is wonderful whether you are drifting in the pass or diving "the corner" Lots of wildlife and beautiful clear water make this a great dive and always a memorable stop.
Day 8. To Apataki Atoll. We depart at daybreak for Apataki, 55 miles up the Tuamotu chain and arrive at Tehere Pass around lunchtime. Great fishing on this passage should see some excitement on the aft deck! Another beautiful anchorage and excellent dive location.
Day 9. Apataki. Diving and water sports are today's activities and we depart after dinner for Rangiroa atoll 75 miles away.
Day 10. Rangiroa. Perhaps the most well known of the Tuamotu dive areas Tiputa pass certainly deserves its reputation as a world class site. Lots of wildlife and wonderful encounters with dolphin, sharks, turtles, mantas and more make this a very special place.
Day 11. Diving, snorkeling, fishing, bicycling, dance shows...
Day 12. To Rangi Pink Sands and Otepipi. A cruise within Rangiroa lagoon is interesting to visit remote and beautiful motu of soft, fine, very PINK sands. Set amongst turquoise lagoon waters this is a lovely area indeed.
Day 13. Avatoru Anchorage, our last diving day is a shark day with Silvertip sharks featuring, wonderful and exciting this is a great wind-up site for your Tuamotu holiday.
Day 14. Departure day comes too soon! We fill in your last day with water sports or simply relaxing onboard. Rangiroa airport is accessible by tender, the runway is just metres from the dock! We wish you a bon voyage and hope to see you again soon.