Fakarava is an atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia, in the South Pacific. It is a low ring of coral and sand enclosing a lagoon, and it belongs to the Tuamotu chain, one of the island groups that make up this part of Oceania. The atoll is also known by the name Havaiki-te-araro.
Its reputation rests on its reefs and its sea life. Fakarava is recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a designation given to places valued for their natural systems and their careful management. Visitors come for the pristine coral and for the abundance of marine life that lives among it, which makes the lagoon and the surrounding waters the heart of any trip here.
What a visit offers
- Reef and lagoon: the coral and the water are the main draw, suited to those who want to spend their time on or in the sea.
- Marine life: the atoll is known for its abundance of fish and other creatures, so time on the water is rewarding.
- A quieter Tuamotu: as one of the chain's most beautiful atolls, it suits travellers who want the calm of a remote coral island.
Planning your trip
Fakarava is a destination for those who come to see open water, coral and an unhurried island life. Because it is an atoll in a remote archipelago, plan your travel and stay in advance, and expect the rhythm of a place where the sea sets the pace. If clear water, healthy reefs and a sense of distance from the everyday appeal to you, Fakarava is well worth the journey.