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RANGIROA
Calling Code: +689
Of all the Tuamotu Islands, Rangiroa is the most popular with visitors
- primarily divers and travellers seeking an atoll experience. Located 200 miles
(322km) northwest of Papeete, Rangiroa is actually a series of islands around
a lagoon, make it the largest atoll in the Tuamotus, and the second largest in
the world. Indeed, its 393 square mile (1020sqkm) lagoon is the star attraction.
Marine life of every size and description live in its waters.
Most of the water flowing into and out of the immense lagoon is carried through
two passes, which provide the only access for boats venturing in and out. The
two towns, Avatoru and Tiputa, each sit on the eastern shore of a pass. The extraordinary
tidal flow through the passes allows for exceptional scuba diving and snorkelling.
Divers can observe a virtual freeway-traffic stream of marine life zipping by.
This huge atoll has mile of empty white-sand beaches and silent groves of coconut
palms. Rangiroa's lagoon is so wide that it is impossible to see the opposite
shore when standing one one side looking for the other.
Some of the local hotels specialize in diving, snorkelling and glass bottomed boat excursions. From port it is possible to see local divers spear fish and then feed the unfortunate, wriggling creatures to the nearest shark.
Tourism has been an important factor in the island's economy for about two decades.
In the days before tourism, Rangiroans depended mostly upon copra, fishing and
the mother-of-pearl trade for their income. The mother-of-pearl industry disappeared
when plastic buttons replaced pearl shell, but tourism, and lately black pearl
cultivation, has reinvigorated the island economy.
If there's a place you've stayed or something you've done, but we haven't listed, review it for us!
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