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. Strong current and depth make it an advanced dive with drift experience needed.

Depth

15–40m

Current

Strong

Diver level

Advanced open water

Entry

Boat

Unique features

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

Sources & last checked

Checked July 2026

This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.

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.