Fakarava 2024 & 2025 w/Christophe

Fakarava is a beautiful atoll and the last stop in French Polynesia. There really isn’t much on island since there are only 800 Permanent residents. But there are beaches. Miles and miles of Beautiful white sand beaches!

Welcoming Committee

www.fakaravaexcursions.com

For the last two years I have booked with Christophe from Fakarava excursions. You MUST book early. His morning tour will take you to both a blue and green lagoon which is spectacular. Sometimes he also stops to snorkel at Pufana Rock which is a deeper snorkel for those more advanced. We weren't able to stop here in 2024 due to the weather, but we had an amazing stop in 2025. If you are a strong snorkeler, Pufana Rock is spectacular.

His afternoon tour goes only to Pufana Rock which was the second best snorkeling of the trip (second only to the snorkeling from my lanai at the Sofitel on Moorea). No need to do both if you do the morning unless you LOVE snorkeling as much as I do. The morning is the star of the show with the blue and green lagoon.

He does ask that you get on one of the first three tenders. They had tender tickets available at 8:00. Some in my group were there at 7:15 and got the first tender. Those arriving at 7:30 were on the second tender. Everyone in my group made the first or second tender but he won’t wait. By the time the third tender gets there Christophe will likely have people waiting standby to get on. In other words, his tour will go full whether or not you are on it even if you have reservations. He does not collect money ahead of time. He says he takes credit card but his machine is broke so plan on cash. USD are fine. I can highly recommend this trip even though I’m not going to take it in 2026 (I’ve done it two years in a row and I’m off to find a hidden beach next year).

Meet Christophe

Approaching the lagoon. You get out here and walk through the water and then across that little island.

You will 'hike' over this island to reach the blue lagoon. Watch out for falling coconuts (seriously).

You have arrived! Crystal clear stunning blue lagoon.

You can swim to the other side for more beach action.

This strip of sand between the green and blue lagoon- Christophe serves little croissants, cookies, cheese/tomato fingers, juice, and water. You can see the palm tree has fallen :(

Sadly, the famous palm tree you see in so many Fakarava photos (was leaning over the water with a stick for support) fell down sometime between my visit here in 2024 and 2025

It's a long boat ride and can be a bit rough. You may want to take preventative meds.

Fakarava is a tender poet. It is sometimes missed so be aware. The cruise director will give a warning about going ashore if you have walking difficulties. You can see that there isn’t any concrete, you walk off the tender onto a dirt path, but unlike Nuka Hiva it is flat. I think 'most' people should be able to navigate the landing at Fakarava. This is not true of the landing at Nuka Hiva (which is extremely sketchy).

There isn’t much shopping and HAL doesn’t offer any tours. If you don’t get a private tour (book early), you can walk to several beaches or rent bikes and ride around the entire island. Bikes book fast also, so plan accordingly.

This is the area where you debark the tenders. You can see its dirt, but hard packed and quite flat.

Edited to add: I have decided not to go out with Christophe in 2026 since I've gone in both 2024 and 2025 I have another idea for this day, but Fakarava is VERY difficult to find excurstions for and it is some of the very best snorkeling (and diving) of the entire trip. If you are interested in snorkeling book this tour immediately. Last year it sold out 10 months in advance. Stay tuned for my 2026 Fakarava adventure.