2 Best Sights in Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia

The Passes

Avatoru and Tiputa passes offer some of the best drift diving in the world. Divers, accompanied by a guide, are dropped off on the ocean side of the atoll into the fast-moving current and are sucked through the pass by the tide. Feeling an amazing adrenaline rush, divers come (literally) face to face with hundreds of fish, along with giant napoleon wrasses, hawksbill turtles, manta and eagle rays, dolphins, and sharks—gray reefs, lemons, hammerheads, and dozens of black-tips. Snorkeling and glass bottom boat trips explore the calmer waters of the Tiputa Pass, and seek out the dolphins that are cavorting in the waves.

sights Details
Rate Includes: Snorkeling from 4,000 CFP for two hours; dives 6,450–6,800 CFP; glass-bottom boat trips 3,000 CFP for one hour; dolphin watch cruises and snorkeling in quieter waters from 4,500 CFP for two hours.

Vin de Tahiti

Vin de Tahiti. Vin de Tahiti is the only vineyard in the South Pacific—the grapes are grown on a motu in Rangiroa's lagoon. Owner Dominique Auroy's estate produces red, white, and rose varieties. Day trips can be arranged to see the vineyard on Motu Ovavan, near the Avatoru Pass, and include a tour of the vines and a tasting at the wine cellar back on Rangiroa. Full-day tours also include a motu picnic. If time is short, you can visit the cellar by yourself for a free tasting. Wine cave about 1.6 km (1 mi) east of Avatoru village, Main road, Tuamotu-Gambier Islands. 46–35–00 in Rangiroa. www.vindetahiti.pf.