Dive· Fakarava· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Garuae Pass Drift Dive (Fakarava North)
16° 4.4′ S · 145° 43.0′ W
A high-voltage drift dive through French Polynesia's widest pass: grey reef sharks on the step at the entrance, tuna, barracuda and eagle rays, then a fast ride in on the flood over coral.
Practical
Pass about 1,600 m wide, 10 m deep in the centre (2025 brief). Dives run only on the incoming tide or at slack, timed daily to conditions. Currents regularly exceed 3 kn and are 'sporty'. The usual profile drops to a step at 20-30 m to watch the sharks, then drifts up (diveplanit); Top Dive gives 50-70 ft and asks for significant experience. A 2010 report started at 100 ft with a fast drift to 70 ft. Astra (2008) drifted from outside past the Ali Baba trench with about 5 kn of current and surfaced in overfalls inside. Outer-reef sites either side of the pass (Ohotu to the east, Maiuru) are coral drop-offs with barracuda, sharks, Napoleons and occasional mantas or dolphins. Book with a Rotoava operator (Top Dive, Kaina, O2, Te Ava Nui); Pufana-zone boats are minutes away. Cruiser verdict: the south pass is the better snorkel, the north pass the more spectacular dive (2018).
Best for
Experienced divers who like current
Itineraries that stop here
Nearby
- Garuae Pass Mantas, Hammerheads and Humpbacks (Fakarava North)Right here
- Maraamu Season at Garuae Pass (Fakarava)Right here
- Ali Baba Canyon Dive (Garuae Pass)0.5 NM away
- Ohotu Reef Wall Dive (outside Garuae Pass)0.8 NM away
- Otohu Bay Moorings (inside Garuae Pass)1.1 NM away
- PK9 Snorkel (Fakarava)1.4 NM away
- Pufana North Pass Anchorage (Fakarava)1.4 NM away
- PK9 Public Beach (Fakarava)2.8 NM away