The 77 atolls that make up the Tuamotu Archipelago together form the world’s biggest coral system spread across an area of 600,000 sq. km.  Rangiroa or ‘the Great Sky’,  a part of Tuamotu is the second largest atoll in the South Pacific.

The atolls form a ring 125 miles long, yet land is only a few hundred feet at its widest point. All around is a 400 sq mile lagoon with crystal clear waters inhabited with rainbow coloured fish and delicate coral gardens that present a kaleidoscopical underwater world perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling, sailing and parasailing. White beaches and many little motus or islets ring the huge lagoon and like a gigantic water park, it has perfect visibility of up to 150 ft and comfortable temperatures at around 22° C.

Rangiroa is the best destination for diving in all of the Polynesian islands – the huge lagoon is connected to the open waters of the Pacific Ocean via the Avatoru and Tiputa channels. As the currents bring in and take out the ocean water from and into the lagoon, along come hordes of fish - tuna, barracuda, manta rays, eagle rays, turtles, dolphins, sharks etc.

Connected to some of the other islands by plane and ferry/ boat, Rangiroa is one hour flying time from Tahiti (125 miles). Rangiroa has just a couple of good resort complexes and so is very much off the beaten track. Few tourists come here, preferring to holiday in Tahiti or Bora Bora, thus making Rangiroa the perfect escape/getaway.

Rangiroa’s population is concentrated in the two villages of Avatoru and Tiputa. Avatoru is the commercial hub of the island with a concentration of businesses, banks, shops and hotels and the airport while Tiputa is the administrative centre with government offices, post office, town hall and hospital/dispensary. The two villages are 45-minute boat ride apart.

A quiet holiday on Rangiroa is enlivened by such pastimes as drag and/or line fishing, boat trips and picnics to the outer motus, a visit to Tiputa village or to the bird sanctuary on Motu Paio and time off at the famous ‘Blue Lagoon’ of Toeo'o.

For detailed country and visitor information, see French Polynesia.