Seasonal· Fakarava· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Fakarava Marbled Grouper Spawning (South Pass)
16° 31.1′ S · 145° 27.7′ W
For a few nights around the June and July full moons, roughly 18,000 marbled groupers mass in the south pass to spawn, and the resident grey reef sharks hunt them. It is the event behind Laurent Ballesta's famous Fakarava films.
Practical
Timing: between the full moons of June and July (diveplanit); Jacaranda describes the July full-moon 'frenzy' with groupers spawning and sharks hunting at night. Manta rays wait at the pass exit. Top Dive confirms a marbled grouper mating season, with dates on request. This is a guided dive-centre event (night dives may be restricted), so book a south-pass operator well ahead. Tetamanu Village shows Laurent Ballesta's 3D model of the south pass. Coordinate is the published south-pass dive waypoint.
Best for
Divers timing a visit for the spectacle
Season
June-July full moons
Nearby
- Shark Cave Observatory (Tumakohua Pass)Right here
- Tumakohua Pass Wall of Sharks Dive (Fakarava South)Right here
- Tetamanu Coral Garden Snorkel (South Pass)0.1 NM away
- Tetamanu Village and Church (Fakarava)0.2 NM away
- Pension Teramanu (Fakarava)0.3 NM away
- Tetamanu Dive Center Shack Meals (South Pass)0.3 NM away
- Tetamanu Shark Shallows (South Pass)0.3 NM away
- Tetamanu Village Dive Center0.3 NM away