Snorkel· Totegegie· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Totegegie Reef Snorkel and Dive
23° 6.1′ S · 134° 52.6′ W
The 'false pass' through the barrier reef between Totegegie and Tarauru Roa ends in a sandy pit where black-tip and white-tip sharks, stingrays and big fish gather. Sugar Shack calls it one of the best snorkels in the Gambier.
Practical
Coordinate is the false pass (Sugar Shack, May 2020). Take the dinghy up the pass on a sunny day and anchor it on the sandy spot just right of the breaking waves. Sugar Shack gives about 23 deg 06.48'S 134 deg 51.940'W in one report and 23 deg 06.055'S 134 deg 51.944'W in another, so pick the sand by eye. Bring a long painter. Swim right (west) to the large pit. Snorkel at slack water, or drift in on the incoming tide towing the dinghy. The sharks are curious and go after speared fish, so don't spearfish here. Divers rate it highly too, but bring all your own gear and compressor (no dive shops in the Gambier). Pitufa notes the cut is shallow, so take the dinghy out through it only at higher tides.
Best for
Shark-and-ray snorkeling
Season
Calm days near slack or on the flood
Nearby
- False Pass Anchorage (Totegegie South)0.2 NM away
- Motu Gaioio0.9 NM away
- Tarauru Roa Motu1.1 NM away
- Tokani Airport Shuttle1.2 NM away
- Totegegie Airport Anchorage (Gambier)1.3 NM away
- Aukena Private North Shore (no access)1.8 NM away
- Pointe Puirau Anchorage (Aukena)2.3 NM away
- Aukena Watchtower and Re'e Seminary Ruins2.5 NM away