Manta-cleaning snorkels and fish-stacked pass dives on a quiet pink-sand atoll
Updated Apr 21, 2026 • 26 sources
Top species linked to approved dive spots in Tikehau.
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Last updated: April 21, 2026 • 26 sources
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Overview
Tikehau is the quiet Tuamotu choice for travelers who want land-based diving without losing the remote-atoll feeling. Most trips orbit Tuherahera village, local dive boats, the single ocean pass at Tuheiava, and the shallow old pearl-farm manta cleaning station. Scuba ranges from introductory lagoon dives to tide-timed pass drifts with reef sharks, barracuda, tuna, Napoleon wrasse, and occasional larger pelagics. Snorkelers can build an entire trip around mantas, coral gardens, pink-sand motu, and Bird Island. Non-divers do well here because the lagoon is not just scenery, it is the main activity space. Plan Tikehau as a small-capacity, local-operator destination: bring cash, allow flight buffers, book water days early, and let tides decide the exact dive schedule.
Tuheiava is Tikehau's main ocean pass, so tide-timed dives can focus schooling fish, reef sharks, tuna, barracuda, and other pelagic traffic into a compact plan.
The old pearl-farm cleaning station is shallow enough for snorkelers and introductory divers when conditions cooperate, making big-animal encounters accessible beyond certified divers.
You sleep ashore, use local operators, and still get the far-atoll Tuamotu feeling. This is ideal for couples or groups mixing scuba, snorkeling, and quiet motu time.
Bird Island, coral gardens, pink-sand motu, Hina's Bell, kayaking, and village cycling give non-divers real itinerary depth instead of waiting at a dock.
Trip Planning
External Booking PartnerThis destination works either as a land-based plan or as a longer liveaboard itinerary. Use the guide for local planning, or compare boats if the remote circuit is the priority.
Land-based guide
Base areas, day boats, local operators, and shore logistics
Liveaboard planning
Boats, departures, and longer expedition-style routes
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2 linked spots
Best time to go
May to October, with September to October usually the easiest window
Dryseason finish, often easier surface conditions, and water around 27°C to 28°C.
Main caution: Warm humid rainy season, with storms and swells able to affect flights, boats, and pass plans.
