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Last updated on August 6, 2023
Looking for a reef full of colorful tropical fish? Head to the Aquarium, one of Rangiroa’s most famous snorkeling locations. Fringing Motu Nui Nui, a coral islet located at the entrance of the Tiputa Pass-, it is within easy reach from the atoll’s main villages. Whether you are a beginner or advanced snorkeler, don’t leave the atoll without a visit to this irresistible “open water aquarium”.
The Aquarium is just a 5 minutes boat ride from Rangiroa’s main villages, Avatoru and Tiputa. There are two main options to snorkel the Aquarium:
Whatever option you choose (the Aquarium snorkeling tour only or Tiputa Pass drift snorkeling), you will enter the water from a boat.
The snorkeling area covers the healthy coral reef (mainly made of hard coral) fringing the western side of the motu. Depth ranges between 3ft/1m on the top of the reef and 12ft/4m on the slope.
This spot boasts an abundance and variety of reef fish, that can be seen in a small area. Schools of hundreds of humpback red snapper and convict tangs teem above the coral, while sergeant major, double-saddle butterflyfish and sixbar wrasse abound just under the surface of the water. Blacktip reef sharks are also a regular sighting at the Aquarium.
Underwater visibility is generally perfect on this spot, with moderate currents, but sea conditions may vary. Follow the advice of your guide.
The closest facilities are located in Avatoru and Tiputa, the two main villages of Rangiroa.
These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
Bignose Unicornfish
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
