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Rangiroa atoll - French Polynesia
| Location | Rangiroa, French Polynesia | Date | February 3, 2010 | Views | 885 |
| Source | tahiti-tourisme.com; en.wikipedia.org; youtube.com | Rate | |||
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About Rangiroa
From the air, the atoll - the second largest in the world - seems to be a giant pearl necklace laid upon the water. Here is a world where 240 tiny islets, or motu, each no more than three feet in elevation, lay upon the ocean for more than 110 miles completely encircling an infinitely deep lagoon. Surrounded by two legendary bodies of water, Moana-tea (Peaceful Ocean) and Moana-uri (Wild Ocean), the main villages of Avatoru and Tiputa offer the visitor with a unique look at the South Pacific. Along the few roads, coral churches, craft centers, local restaurants, and tiny shops provide enjoyable land-based experiences to complement the many activities in the lagoon. Some of the most fantastic Tahitian Pearls are produced in the lagoon of Rangiroa. On the island, you can visit one of the largest pearl farms of French Polynesia. When visiting a pearl farm, you will have the opportunity to witness how the pearls are grafted and harvested, learning all the secrets of the cultivation of this mysterious gem. Rangiroa AttractionsTourism is a major economic activity of the island: daily connections with Tahiti, an exceptional lagoon and passes which are good sites for scuba diving attract a steady number of tourists. These are accommodated in some hotels and guesthouses.Rangiroa scuba diving Rangiroa offers some of the best dives in the world in and around the Tiputa Pass, which lies at one end of the one main road and runs 3.5 km to the Avatoru Pass. Sedentary dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) regularly play group in the Pass. They can be viewed from the mainland but it is also one of the few places where they can be approached in scuba diving. Because of its large size and the existence of only two passes, each high tide creates a strong incoming current while each low tide creates a strong outgoing current in those two passes. When the current is flowing outward through Tiputa Pass, about 200 shark specimens gather at the entrance to the Tiputa Pass, at fifty meters deep. Led by the strong current, sharks can remain motionless and allow divers to observe them without any difficulty. Large manta rays, green sea turtles, and humphead wrasses can also be seen. Occasionally, tiger sharks and hammerhead sharks can also be spotted. In January, large number of stingrays gather in the Tiputa Pass, as well as hammerhead sharks that feed on them.Rangiroa Snorkeling Rangiroa's lagoon carries an astounding assortment of marine life, which makes it a prime spot for snorkeling. L'Ile aux Recifs Beach, Papiro Point and the Mahuta area are all known for their superb snorkeling. However, you don't have to go anywhere in particular to snorkel on the atoll of Rangiroa. Just grab your mask and fins, walk out the front door of your hotel and jump in!
Rangiroa Lagoon ExcursionsEnjoy a day excursion to Rangiroa's nearby islets, explore the lagoons, the Blue Lagoon, the bird sanctuary, or to watch the dolphins frolicking at Tiputa Pass.Rangiroa Pearl Farm VisitsSome of the most fantastic Tahitian Pearls are produced in the lagoon of Rangiroa. On the island, you can visit one of the largest pearl farms of French Polynesia. When visiting a pearl farm, you will have the opportunity to witness how the pearls are grafted and harvested, learning all the secrets of the cultivation of this mysterious gem.Rangiroa Beaches Rangiroa boasts such an abundance of white sand, the atoll can be described as one big beach. That said, Rangiroa does have its share of officially-designated beach areas. Blue Lagoon Motu is perhaps the most popular of the beaches here. Tiputa Point has a wonderful vista point that doubles as a picnic area, while L'ile Aux Recifs is noted for its fossilized coral formations.
Avatoru and Tiputa villagesThe majority of Rangiroa's residents live in these two villages. Located on the western end of a string of connected islands, Avatoru is where you'll find most of the island's businesses, hotels, shops and banks. Rangiroa's airport is also located here. Tiputa is a 45-minute boat ride from Avatoru. Though both communities boast a similar number of government agencies, Tiputa is the main administrative community, with an infirmary, post office and town hall.Rangiroa - TransportationRangiroa is served by Air Tahiti with frequent direct flights from Papeete and Bora Bora. Connections to other Tuamotu airports including Manihi, Tikehau, Fakarava can be made from Rangiroa. The flight time from Papeete to Rangiroa and Bora Bora to Rangiroa is one hour and fifteen minutes. The airport is located on the same motu and within a few miles of the primary resorts and the main town of Avatoru. Transport to and from the airport can be reserved by your travel arranger. With only a few miles of roads, there is little need for public transportation. For venturing around the populated part of Rangiroa, open-air cars, scooters, or bicycles can be rented or the resorts can arrange for transport into the villages. For exploring the lagoon and surrounding motu, motorboat, canoe, and sailboat rentals or charters are available from the resorts or in the villages.VIDEO Rangiroa atoll - French PolynesiaPICTURES Rangiroa atoll - French Polynesia
WALLPAPERS Rangiroa atoll - French Polynesia
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Exotic Rangiroa (French Polynesia), a string of coral encircling a luminous turquoise and jade-green lagoon, is one of the world's greatest dive destinations. 
