Dive site · access from Fakarava
Garuae (North Pass)
A fast drift through the widest pass in the country, dived only on the incoming tide so you are carried into the lagoon rather than out to sea.
- Depth
- 15–40m
- Current
- Strong
- Minimum level
- Advanced open water
- Access
- Boat
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The case for it
Why dive here
- The widest pass in French Polynesia, about 1,600m across
- Fast incoming-tide drift, currents routinely over three knots
- Grey reef sharks, jacks and Napoleon wrasse along the drop-off
Check before booking
What may rule it out
- Advanced open water certification is the stated minimum.
Access and timing
Plan this through Fakarava
Best overall months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep. Check the destination planner for operating season, wildlife and other matching sites.
Wildlife
Seen around Fakarava
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed
These are destination-level records, not confirmed sightings at Garuae (North Pass).
Humpback whale
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | not seen |
| February | not seen |
| March | not seen |
| April | not seen |
| May | not seen |
| June | not seen |
| July | not seen |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | not seen |
| December | not seen |
Humphead wrasse
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Grey reef shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | peak season |
| July | peak season |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Camouflage grouper (marbled grouper)
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | peak season |
| July | peak season |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Bottlenose dolphin
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Nearby alternatives
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Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 3 sources and checking notes
- The Garuae Pass, Fakarava, TOPDIVE
- Scuba Diving Fakarava North Pass, Scuba Diving Earth
- A Tale of Two Passes, Divers Alert Network (Alert Diver)
Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate; not surveyed dive-site GPS.