Things to do — Tuamotu

The Tuamotus are an essentially marine, minimalist destination. Activities revolve around diving, snorkelling, lagoon excursions and a few specific cultural visits.

Diving is the headline activity. Several recognised clubs operate on the main atolls: TOPdive Rangiroa (PADI 5-star), Six Passengers Rangiroa, Topdive Fakarava, Tetamanu Diving (south pass Fakarava). Prices: €60-90/bottle dive, €500-800 for a 10-dive package. The legendary dives include: Tiputa pass at Rangiroa (dolphins, grey reef sharks, manta rays), Avatoru pass (school of grey reef sharks), Fakarava north pass (Garuae) and above all the Fakarava south pass (Tumakohua) — the wall of grey reef sharks and the grouper aggregation in June-July are experiences unique in the world.

Snorkelling from the motus already offers magnificent sightings without the technical gear of diving. Day pirogue excursions (€60-120/person) take visitors to deserted motus: picnic on pink sand at Tikehau, observation of stingrays and blacktip reef sharks in shallow lagoons, fresh coconut tasting. At Fakarava, the excursion to the south-east point Pink Sands (€90-150/person, full day) is one of the highlights of a stay.

Fishing — big game fishing from the boat, or traditional pa'e (net) fishing with the Paumotu (Tuamotu inhabitants) — is an authentic activity. The pearl farms at Manihi or Rangiroa (visit €25-40/person) explain Polynesian black pearl culture, one of the territory's emblematic productions.

At Rangiroa, two specific visits: the Dominique Auroy vineyard (the only vineyard in the South Pacific, at Avatoru — producing 30,000 bottles/year of a unique white wine on coral soil — visit and tasting €25) and the Gauguin's Pearl Farm. At Fakarava, the village of Tetamanu at the southern tip (former capital of the Tuamotus) preserves an old coral church and a historic cemetery rich in history.