TIPUTA & AVATORU PASSES · LIVE TELEMETRY

Discover the wild depths of Rangiroa Atoll

Experience legendary drift dives, wild dolphin encounters, and pelagic shark passes in French Polynesia with Te Mao Diving Center's certified Polynesian dive masters.

PADI & SSI Certified · Small Ratio Groups · Eco-Friendly Charter

Tiputa Pass Drift

4.8 ktsIncoming tide · Optimal

OCEAN VISIBILITY

45m+Crystal clear clarity

Reef Wall Depth

10-50mMulti-level dive profiles

Pelagic Rate

98%Dolphins, Mantas & Sharks
Rangiroa Marine Telemetry & Ethics

Pristine Waters, Strict Conservation Standards

Te Mao Diving Center pairs elite safety protocols with profound Polynesian respect for our ocean. Discover verified telemetry metrics and certified environmental stewardship in the Tuamotu Archipelago.

Safety First
1 : 4
Guide to Diver Ratio
MAX 4 DIVERS / MASTER

Strict small-group policy in Tiputa and Avatoru passes to guarantee diver safety and personalized attention.

Live Field Parameter
Tiputa Resident
48%
Dolphin Encounters
YEAR-ROUND RESIDENT PODS

High probability interactions with the wild bottlenose dolphins of Tiputa on incoming drift currents.

Live Field Parameter
High Density
30+
Pelagic Shark Density
MOKARRAN & GREY REEF

Daily encounters with great hammerheads, silvertips, white-tips, and massive schools of grey reef sharks.

Live Field Parameter
Oceanic Clarity
45m+
Average Visibility
CRYSTAL ATOLL OCEANIC WATER

Unrivaled oceanic clarity inside the protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Tuamotu Archipelago.

Live Field Parameter
Protected Sanctuary Accreditations

Committed to Rangiroa's Living Biosphere

We dive under strict ecological charters ensuring zero reef contact, non-intrusive pelagic encounters, and active support for local marine biology research.

DIREM

Polynesian Environment Office

GF-PAC-884

Blue Oceans

Environmental Leadership

PADI-ECO-2024

Longitude 181

Responsible Diver Charter

L181-CHARTER

Polynesian Biosphere

Tuamotu Sanctuary Partner

UNESCO-TUAMOTU
Coordinates: 14°57′S 147°38′W • Avatoru & Tiputa Passes, Rangiroa
Daily Briefings: 8:00 AM -10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – • VHF CH 9
RANGIROA LIVE: 28°C · VISIBILITY 45M+ · INCOMING TIDE

Curated Guided Dives & Pelagic Encounters

From the world-renowned high-speed currents of Tiputa Pass to serene lagoon coral nurseries, our certified Polynesian dive team leads safe, personalized underwater adventures tailored to every experience level.

PADI & SSI Certified Center
Small Groups (Max 4-5 divers)
Tide-Optimized Planning
Scuba divers drifting alongside dolphins and sharks in Tiputa Pass Rangiroa
Signature Expedition
15 – 45 mStrong (3-5 kts)
Tiputa Pass Drift
High-voltage pelagic canyon drift

Ride the incoming oceanic current through the world-famous Tiputa Pass. Encounter resident bottlenose dolphins, schools of grey reef sharks, and gliding eagle rays.

PrerequisiteOpen Water Diver
Ratio & Time45 – 65 min
Expedition Highlights
  • Resident wild bottlenose dolphin interactions
  • Massive grey reef shark walls (100+ specimens)
  • Great Hammerhead (Mokarran) plateau encounters
Silvertip sharks swimming over pristine coral reef in Avatoru Pass
Pelagic Focus
18 – 30 mModerate (1-3 kts)
Avatoru Pass Drift
Silvertip sharks & giant trevally schools

A scenic pass exploration famous for encounters with inquisitive Silvertip sharks, schools of bigeye jacks, and vibrant coral formations perched at the lagoon threshold.

PrerequisiteOpen Water Diver
Ratio & Time45 – 65 min
Expedition Highlights
  • Consistent Silvertip shark observation zones
  • Thousands of schooling bigeye trevally jacks
  • Vibrant hard coral pinnacles & manta cleaning stations
Vibrant coral garden with clownfish and sea turtles in Rangiroa lagoon
All Skill Levels
3 – 12 mMild / Negligible
Lagoon Aquarium
Pristine biodiversity & gentle discovery

Calm, crystal-clear warm waters ideal for beginners, refresher dives, and underwater photography. Explore intricate coral heads teeming with tropical marine life.

PrerequisiteBeginner / No experience required
Ratio & Time35 – 45 min
Expedition Highlights
  • Gentle conditions with 40m+ horizontal visibility
  • Hawksbill and green sea turtle foraging sites
  • Endemic Polynesian reef fish & macro nudibranchs
Underwater diver exploring coral reef at night with dive light
Specialty Adventure
10 – 20 mSlack / Mild
Tiputa Reef
Nocturnal reef hunting & glowing waters

Experience Rangiroa after sundown. Watch reef sharks actively hunt under beam lights and witness mesmerizing natural bioluminescence dancing in the current.

PrerequisiteOpen Water
Ratio & Time50 min
Expedition Highlights
  • Active night-hunting moray eels and whitetip sharks
  • Fluorescent corals under specialized blue UV torches
  • Bioluminescent plankton bursts upon light switch-off
Sleek dive catamaran boat resting on turquoise lagoon water in Rangiroa
VIP Bespoke
Custom profileTide-selected
Private BoatCharters
Exclusive custom boat & bespoke dive master

Tailor your dive day across Rangiroa's outer reefs and Blue Lagoon. Enjoy flexible schedules, gourmet Polynesian snacks on board, and dedicated dive master guidance.

PrerequisiteAll levels welcome
Ratio & TimeHalf / Full Day
Expedition Highlights
  • Flexible launch times timed precisely to optimal slack tides
  • Dedicated boat captain and master instructor for your group
  • Access to remote outer reef locations and secret drift drop-offs
Dive instructor teaching student underwater hand signals in turquoise lagoon
Accredited Training
Course specificProtected sites
PADI & SSI Certification Courses
Comprehensive training from beginner to pro

Earn your global dive credentials in warm Polynesian waters. From Scuba Diver to Rescue & Divemaster, train with experienced instructors using top-tier Mares equipment.

PrerequisiteMedical clearance
Ratio & Time2 – 4 Days
Expedition Highlights
  • PADI and SSI certified multilingual instructors
  • Digital e-learning combined with small practical lagoon modules
  • Complimentary high-definition underwater graduation photos

Need a Custom Multi-Day Dive Package?

We organize complete dive packages including pass drifts, Nitrox refills, rental gear, and airport transfers in Rangiroa.

Signature Standards

The Te Mao Difference

We prioritize marine sanctuary stewardship, intimate four-diver groups, high-end telemetry gear, and rigorous tidal planning for exceptional experiences in Rangiroa.

IUCN Biosphere Practice01 / 04
Diver gliding peacefully over vibrant Rangiroa coral reef

Standard Metric

100%

Verified Protocol

Eco-Conscious Policy

Zero-Touch Coral RuleMooring-Only Anchoring
Protecting Rangiroa's Pelagic Sanctuaries
We strictly adhere to zero-trace diving and coral protection protocols across Tiputa and Avatoru passes. Our guides provide comprehensive marine biology orientations before every descent, ensuring fragile atoll ecosystems remain undisturbed.

Operational Commitments

  • Comprehensive Polynesian marine ecosystem briefings prior to water entry
  • Active contribution to local shark and manta ray identification databases
  • Reef-safe sunscreen mandates and single-use plastic prohibition on dive boats
Rangiroa Atoll · Tuamotu Archipelago

Pass Specialists

Tiputa & Avatoru expertise with real-time current calculation.

Native Guides

Polynesian instructors with deep understanding of local pelagics.

PADI / SSI Center

Complete internationally recognized certification progressions.

Pure Air & Nitrox

State-of-the-art multi-stage Bauer compressor filtration.

Ready to dive the world-famous Tiputa & Avatoru Passes?

Contact our instructors directly to organize custom schedules and equipment fittings.

Verified Dive Logs & Reviews

Passages Through the Deep

Authentic experiences from international divers in Rangiroa’s world-renowned passes.

Dr. Alistair Vance

United Kingdom

PADI Master Scuba DiverTiputa Pass (Incoming Drift)

"Drifting through Tiputa at full flood surrounded by a school of thirty great hammerheads and playful wild dolphins is something that changes you forever. Teva and the boat crew manage current drift lines with unmatched precision."

Telemetry & Conditions
32m / 105ft
Max Depth
45m+ / 150ft
Visibility
28°C / 82°F
Temp

Elena Rostova

Switzerland

SSI Advanced AdventurerAvatoru Pass (Shark Cavern)

"My first time pelagic drift diving and I never felt safer. Lana's boat maneuvers and the bespoke briefing kept our small pod relaxed while manta rays flew barely two meters above our bubbles."

Telemetry & Conditions
24m / 78ft
Max Depth
40m / 130ft
Visibility
29°C / 84°F
Temp

Marcus & Keiko Tanaka

Japan / USA

Eco-Tourist & Certified DiverThe Blue Lagoon & Tiputa Reef

"Te Mao exemplifies true Polynesian oceanic stewardship. Pristine Mares gear, top-tier Nitrox fills, and deep respect for Tuamotu marine sanctuaries. We have already rebooked for the mokarran migration."

Telemetry & Conditions
18m / 60ft
Max Depth
50m+ / 165ft
Visibility
28°C / 82°F
Temp
4.98 / 5.0Guest SatisfactionVerified reviews across global dive networks
99.2%Pelagic EncountersDolphin, hammerhead & manta pass sightings
100%Safety RecordStrict safety protocols & dedicated boat skippers
Max 5:1Group RatioSmall teams per certified Polynesian divemaster

Ready to log your Tuamotu underwater adventure?

Small team expeditions departing daily from Avatoru Marina.

Peak Pelagic Season · Limited 6-Diver Boat Capacities

Plan Your Rangiroa Expedition with Unrivaled Ocean Encounters

Drift alongside great hammerheads, manta squadrons, and playful bottlenose dolphins in the legendary passes of Tiputa and Avatoru. Small group sizes ensure tailored safety and direct access to French Polynesia's wildest marine habitats.

Water Temperature27°C – 29°CWarm equatorial currents
OCEAN VISIBILITY40m – 60m+High-definition clarity
Optimal Pass Depth15m – 35mTiputa & Avatoru drift
Ratio per BoatMax 5 DiversPolynesian certified guides
Certified PADI & SSI Instructors
100% Eco-conscious Dive Guidelines
Premium Mares & Aqualung Gear Included