Tuamotu Islands

The Tuamotu Islands are a vast archipelago of several island groups in French Polynesia.

Islands

King George Islands
  • Manihi — a ring shaped atoll that forms a lagoon perfect for scuba diving and black pearl farming. With only 400 local inhabitants working at either the pearl farms or the single resort, this destination is truly at the edge of the world.
  • Undeveloped — Ahe (100 people), Takapoto (440 residents), Takaroa (1,000 residents)
  • Uninhabited — Tikei.

Palliser Islands
  • Fakarava — also great for diving. It has 2 passes, the north Garuae pass and the south Tumakohua pass. They are quite far away from each other, but local dive operators will take you to both. Sharks are aplenty in the south pass of Fakarava!
  • Rangiroa — one of the largest atolls in the world, and the most populous island in the Tuamotus. Very popular with SCUBA enthusiast and those looking to get away from civilization.
  • Tikehau — one resort, plus great diving and birding.
  • Undeveloped — Apataki (400 residents), Arutua (1,750 residents), Kaukura (500 residents), Mataiva (200 residents), Niau (100 residents), Toau (40 residents).
  • Uninhabited — Makatea (one ghost town and a visit from Harrison Ford in Six Days Seven Nights).

Raeffsky Islands
  • Undeveloped — Anaa (400 residents), Aratika (250 residents), Faaite (250 residents), Katiu (250 residents), Kauehi (670 residents), Makemo (900 residents), Nihiru (25 residents), Raroia (150 residents), Taenga (Mormon community of 75 residents), Takume, (100 residents).
  • Uninhabited — Haraiki, Hiti, Marutea Nord, Motutunga, Raraka, Tahanea, Taiaro (private), Tepoto Sud, Tuanake,

Disappointment Islands
  • Undeveloped — Napuka (250 residents), Puka-Puka (100 residents), Tepoto Nord (50 residents).

Duke of Gloucester Islands
  • Undeveloped — Hereheretue (50 residents), Nukutepipi (2 residents).
  • Uninhabited — Anuanuraro, Anuanurunga.

Far East Tuamotu Group
  • Akiaki
  • Fakahina
  • Fangatau
  • Fangataufa
  • Moruroa
  • Nukutavake
  • Pinaki
  • Pukarua
  • Reao
  • Tatakoto
  • Tematangi
  • Tureia
  • Vahitahi
  • Vairaatea
  • Vanavana

Hao Group
  • Ahunui
  • Amanu
  • Hao (French Polynesia)
  • Manuhangi
  • Nengonengo
  • Paraoa
  • Rekareka (Tehuata)
  • Tauere

Hikueru Group
  • Hikueru
  • Marokau
  • Ravahere
  • Reitoru
  • Tekokota

Understand

The Tuamotu Islands are the largest chain of atolls in the world. All of the islands are low lying atolls, built on coral reefs. The most important source of cash income in the Tuamotu Islands is black pearl cultivation.

Get in

Totegegie Airport (GMR IATA), Hao airport (HOI  IATA).

A number of container and/or passenger vessels travel regularly to the Tuamotu islands from other ports in French Polynesia. These may be an option if you have the time and money, as travelling on these vessels is far more expensive than flying. See the Tahiti Tourism website for more information.

Get around

Tureia airport (ZTA  IATA).

See
  • Black pearl farms

Do

Scuba diving is a popular activity in these islands.

Go next
This article is issued from Wikivoyage. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.