What is a pass?
A pass is a wide channel that cuts through the coral ring of the atoll. The lagoon empties and fills through it with the tides. On the incoming tide, the current flows into the lagoon: it is time for drift diving. On the outgoing tide, it flows out to the ocean.
Tiputa Pass
Avatoru Pass
Our dive sites
- The Tiputa Pass: every day, a few minutes by boat from the centre.
- The Avatoru Pass: twice a week, on the incoming current.
- Les Failles: once a month, a remote site.
What you can see
Dozens, sometimes hundreds of grey reef sharks; the great hammerhead shark; the impressive tiger shark; solitary manta rays and squadrons of spotted eagle rays gathering at the bottom of the Tiputa pass; and the bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that live in the pass all year round. Depending on their mood, they sometimes come close to the divers. They remain wild animals, which we watch without touching them.
When to come?
All year round: the water is between 26 and 29 °C, and the encounters change with the months.
- From November to March, sometimes April: the great hammerhead shark, and large squadrons of spotted eagle rays at the bottom of the pass.
- Around June: grey reef shark gatherings, during the breeding season.
- All year round: the bottlenose dolphins of the Tiputa pass.
A 3 mm shorty is enough; a 3 mm full wetsuit if you feel the cold.
Without a tank: snorkeling
One hour at the Aquarium with a mask, fins and a snorkel: all equipment is provided, you just need to be able to swim.
