Located in Fakarava Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Tumakohua Pass is famous for its “wall of sharks.” The endless supply of food here attracts sharks and brings scuba divers from all over the world to see them. For snorkelers, it is also a beautiful site to discover, both in the pass which can be explored by drift snorkeling and on the reef flat which can be snorkeled freely from the island shore. In the area, you will discover coral reefs inhabited by Napoleon wrasse, several species of sharks, and a myriad of colorful fish.
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How to get to the Tetamanu/Fakarava South Pass snorkeling spot
Tumakohua Pass and Tetamanu Island are located south of Fakarava Atoll, about an hour and a half by boat from Rotoava and the airport. To visit Tetamanu, you can book a stay in one of the island’s guesthouses (Tetamanu Village, Tetamanu Sauvage or Motu Aito), or make the day trip from Rotoava (from $100 pp.).
Water entrance for snorkeling Tetamanu & Fakarava South Pass
Fakarava South Pass has drift snorkeling. It is advised to enter the water only during incoming current (from the ocean to the lagoon). The dive club can inform you about current/tide times.
For drift snorkeling itinerary (itinerary 2 on the map), it is advised to enter the water from a boat, near the white buoy (water entrance 1 on the map). Ask to the dive club if they can drop you. Alternatively, you can enter the water from the shore, behind the church, but the water entrance here is tricky (from a reef flat, too shallow at low tide – water entrance 2 on the map). For shorter (and easier) drift snorkeling, enter the water from pontoon 1 (water entrance 3 on the map).
To snorkel the areas close to the resort (pontoons/”pools” areas, area 1 on the map), you can enter the water from the pontoons or from the beaches.
Tetamanu/Fakarava South Pass snorkeling tips and recommendations
Two areas are recommended for snorkeling Tetamanu & Fakarava South Pass:
1.) Tetamanu Village pontoons/pools areas (zone 1 on the map).
The “pools”, two small natural lagoons found between the jetties (zone 1 on the map), are a perfect start for beginners. Here you’ll swim with almost tamed Napoleon wrasse and dozens of blacktip reef sharks that come here to enjoy the leftovers from the restaurant. From time to time, grey sharks and whitetip sharks also come up to the flat.
Have a look under the jetties: in the shade, you’ll find huge schools of snappers, trumpetfish, groupers, moray eels, and resting Napoleons.
In the healthy coral areas at the top of the drop-off, you’ll discover the diversity of Polynesian marine life, including about 10 species of butterflyfish, triggerfish, parrotfish, schools of yellowfin goatfish, and Moorish idols.
2.) The reef flat and the pass deeper areas (itinerary 2 on the map).
The exploration of the pass consists of letting yourself drift with the current, but only during the incoming current.
If you start from the white buoy, you will snorkel over the “shark wall” (↕65ft/20m), where about a hundred grey reef sharks patrol in the current. If you are lucky, you may spot in the blue, green sea turtles, manta rays, or other species of sharks including occasional sicklefin sharks.
On the drop-offs that border the pass, you’ll spot many fish around dense and colorful corals. Local sea life includes the Napoleon wrasse, which is a Tetamanu snorkeler’s favorite sighting.
Around 15 individuals, including 2 or 3 bright green terminal phase males, live around the village. Peaceful and inquisitive, swimming with this unique fish will leave you with an unforgettable memory.
You can exit the water from one of the jetties, or extend your snorkeling and drift to the yellow buoy. Be careful though, as the current gets stronger past the restaurant.
Restaurants and accommodations nearby
Two guesthouses, Tetamanu Village/Tetamanu Sauvage, and Motu Aito are set up along the reef.
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