Dive· Aratika· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Aratika Pass Dive
15° 30.4′ S · 145° 27.0′ W
Aratika's narrow, winding east pass, Fainukea: a sheer outer drop-off, live coral and more fish than the west pass, best dived on a gentle flood.
Practical
Coordinate is the east pass in OpenStreetMap. No dive shop on Aratika: you need your own gear and compressor, and it is a long way to a recompression chamber. Ari B (2020): excellent snorkeling in the east pass with slack or incoming current; very narrow, with a sheer drop-off outside; amazing visibility in settled weather; good bommies just inside. Hoodoo (2020) drift-snorkeled it and found more fish and sea life than the west pass; go on an incoming tide for clear water. White Princess (2010): interesting snorkeling just inside the entrance, but watch the currents. Ocean Crusaders (2016) saw 40-50 m visibility outside the pass with schools of fish and pristine coral. They made 80-85 minute drift dives towing the dinghy, with the best coral at 10 m or shallower, plus reef sharks and curious grouper. Outgoing current can exceed 8 kt; in 15-20 kt E it may ebb all day. Dive only near slack-to-flood, with a boat tender following.
Best for
Drift diving and snorkeling a wild, uncrowded pass
Nearby
- Aratika Magasins0.4 NM away
- Aratika Village Anchorage (Paparara)0.6 NM away
- Aratika Nord Airport (RKA)1.7 NM away
- Aratika North Shore Moorings (Mairie)3.4 NM away
- Aratika Mairie and Post Office3.5 NM away
- Aratika Biosphere Reserve Rules4.3 NM away
- Aratika West Pass Moorings7.2 NM away
- Aratika Pearl Farm (South Rim)7.5 NM away