Safety · Destination Guide
Fakarava
Two legendary passes, shark-rich drift dives, and a lagoon that still feels wild
Updated Apr 21, 2026 • 9 sources
Safety And Conservation
Fakarava's core risks are strong current, remoteness, heat and sun exposure, and the legal reality of protected wildlife rules.
Top Risks
- Primary risk: Pass currents are serious
- Secondary risk: Medical backup is remote
- Emergency contact: Ambulance and medical emergency (15)
- Safety overview: Fakarava's core risks are strong current, remoteness, heat and sun exposure, and the legal reality of protected wildlife rules.
Dive safety
Pass dives are tide-planned, guide-led dives with current, depth, and pickup logistics. Stay within certification and recent-experience limits, follow no-fly-after-diving guidance, and carry an SMB. Freedivers should not train alone and should avoid independent pass work.
Serious dive or medical problems may require evacuation to Tahiti. Carry dive accident and evacuation insurance and keep key contacts offline.
Snorkel and freedive safety
Pass currents are serious
Garuae and Tumakohua are tide-driven channels, not casual drift sites. Expect guides to reschedule or change sites when needed.
Medical backup is remote
Serious dive injuries may require evacuation to Tahiti, so dive and evacuation insurance are essential.
Wildlife disturbance is illegal
Do not feed or attract sharks and rays, and do not harass protected marine species.
Wildlife and protected areas
French Polynesia protects sharks, rays, turtles, dolphins, whales, and other marine species. Do not feed, attract, chase, or harass wildlife. Keep fins and hands off coral and use operators who brief good conduct clearly.
Do Not Do This
Avoid entering when pass currents are serious. Confirm local briefings before committing.
Emergency contacts
| Contact | Role | Phone | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambulance and medical emergency | Emergency medical response | 15 | 24/7 emergency number |
| Fire and emergency | Fire and rescue | 18 | 24/7 emergency number |
| Police | Police emergency | 17 | 24/7 emergency number |
| Sea rescue | Maritime emergency | 16 | 24/7 emergency number |
| European emergency number | General fallback | 112 | 24/7 emergency number |
| Divers Alert Network | Diving emergency hotline | +1-919-684-9111 | 24/7/365 |