Fakarava Atoll's Tumakohua Pass

Colin Gans · Issue 52, Jan/Feb 2010 · pp. 41–43

Products mentioned: Sealux Nikon D300 housing, Nikon D300, Tokina 10-17mm lens, Nikon 12-24mm lens

One might be mistaken for thinking that diving the same pass each day would become a little monotonous but with the volume and variety of life which passes through Fakarava Atoll’s Tumakohua Pass there is little time for boredom or complacency. Fakarava is renowned as a remote destination less frequently visited and for its parade of grey reef sharks. One of a group of many low lying atolls in the South Pacific’s Tuamotus group of French Polynesia, like its sister island, Rangiroa; Fakarava has two deep water passes which concentrate marine life entering and egressing its large rectangular shaped lagoon. A higher proportion of divers visit the more easily reachable north pass which is relatively close to the airport. The only way to reach the Tumakohua (south) pass is by boat; a fact which in my opinion places this location in my ‘special places to visit’ category. The waters of the prot…