TIKEHAU

Tuamotu Islands

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Tikehau Island

Tikehau Island travel Guide

Tikehau Island travel Guide

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Tikehau

Tikehau, an atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago that is mainly unexplored, is situated about 174 miles (280 kilometers) north of Tahiti. Tikehau may be reached by air from Papeete. You will arrive at the airfield on Tuherahera, the largest motu island Tikehau, in about an hour.

Tikehau is an oval-shaped atoll made up of several motus, some of which are small, and perfectly arranged next to one another like a string of pearls. The Tuheiava channel, which is also a fantastic place to go diving, is the only sea entrance to the lagoon.

Tourism on the Motus is marked by family-run lodging and private beach cottages. 40 of the 500 residents of Tikehau are employed by the only larger luxury resort, the Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort, which is situated on Motu Aua.

There are not many sights in Tikehau. On this atoll, there are no museums or historical sites. The natural beauty of the islands enthralls everyone who visits. More and more amateur birdwatchers are going to Tikehau because it has a lot of bird colonies.

How to get to Tikehau

Air Tahiti has many flights from Papeete to Rangiroa and Tikehau that stop only once or don’t stop at all. Two excellent options for traveling to Tikehau are the 55-minute nonstop flight from Papeete and the 20-minute trip from Rangiroa.

Getting around

Between the resort and Tuherahera’s main village is where the airport is situated. Your travel agent and the resort can make reservations for transportation to and from the airport. The resort may arrange for a boat to take you to the main village.

There is no need for public transit because there are only a few miles of roadways. Walking, scooters or bicycles are typical and fun ways to get around the hamlet. Motorboat, canoe, and sailboat rentals and charters are offered at the Tikehau resort or in the village for cruising the lagoon and nearby motu.

Where to stay on Tikehau

Best Things to do in Tikehau

Village Tuherahera

Most of the Tikehaus people live in the village of Tuherahera, which is thought to be the most beautiful village in the Tuamotu archipelago.

The face of the village is characterized by an incredible variety of flowers: uru (breadfruit trees), bougainvilleas, frangipanis, coconut palms, hibiscus, and other Pacific flora grow almost everywhere, and the inhabitants also maintain their own gardens meticulously and with much love.

In the village itself, there are several grocery stores, a post office, and a health clinic, but no bank.

Pass of Tuheiava

Jacques Costeau explored Tikehau in 1987, he proved that the atoll is the most biodiverse in all of French Polynesia. No wonder divers are attracted to this small atoll of the Tuamotus.

The top dive spot, Tikehau is the pass or channel of Tuheiava. The only navigable passage in the coral barrier gives divers a unique view of this biodiversity.

Here divers discover shoals of barracudas, dolphins, turtles, sharks, and tuna all year round, watch imposing manta rays doing their weightless dance, and are enchanted by huge shoals of South Sea fish in all shapes and colors.

Seasonally, you will also encounter hammerhead sharks and eagle rays from November to April and gray sharks from May to June.

Pink Sandbars & Bird Islands

Tikehau has some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire South Pacific. Precisely because the atoll is quite remote and has few accommodation options, you are actually often alone on the beaches or can always find a secluded spot where you can have it all to yourself. The whole atoll enchants with pure Robinson feeling.

The famous pink sand beaches are caused by the corals of the reef. The smallest pink coral particles are eroded by the tides and finally washed to the coast by the sea.

Over many millennia, a sandy beach with a pink sheen then formed around the motus, which exists in this way in a few other places in the world. On Tikehau, several of these pink sand beaches can be found, with the two most beautiful being Motu Aua and Motu Ohihi.

Île aux Oiseaux (Motu Puarua)

The bird island Île aux Oiseaux (Motu Puarua) is a haven for many bird species, such as red-footed boobies and brown noddies, among others, and makes the ornithologist’s heart beat faster. In general, many bird colonies nest on the various motus Tikehaus, enjoying the peace and seclusion here.

Churches in Tuherahera

On the other hand, the diversity of religions is unusually high: Catholics, Protestants, and Adventists, all of whom have their own church in Tuherahera, which you can also visit as a tourist.

The many different churches in Tuherahera (each dedicated to a different religion) can be visited by tourists. A highlight is a mass on Sunday, with beautiful singing and beautifully dressed islanders.

Tikehau Island Facts

Tikehau is a small coral atoll located in the Tuamotu archipelago of French Polynesia. It is known for its crystal clear lagoon, beautiful beaches, and abundant marine life. Here are some facts about Tikehau:

  1. Tikehau is located about 400 kilometers (250 miles) northeast of Tahiti and is part of the Tuamotu Archipelago, which consists of 78 small islands and atolls.
  2. The atoll is shaped like a horseshoe, and it measures about 25 kilometers (15 miles) in length and 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) in width. It has a total land area of about 5.5 square kilometers (2.1 square miles).
  3. Tikehau has a population of about 600 people, and the main village on the atoll is called Tuherahera.
  4. The atoll is surrounded by a large lagoon, which is home to a diverse array of marine life, including dolphins, sharks, and a variety of colorful fish. The lagoon is also a popular spot for snorkeling and diving.
  5. Tikehau is known for its beautiful beaches, including Pink Sand Beach, which gets its name from the pink hue of its sand.
  6. The main industry on Tikehau is tourism, and the atoll is a popular destination for visitors who want to experience the natural beauty and culture of French Polynesia.
  7. Tikehau is also a popular destination for birdwatching, as it is home to a variety of seabirds, including frigatebirds, terns, and boobies.
  8. The atoll is also home to several ancient marae (temples), which are considered important cultural landmarks and are visited by many tourists who come to Tikehau to learn about the island’s history and traditions.

Map

Frequently asked Questions

As you may expect, the two main activities in Tikehau are scuba diving and snorkeling. The western side near Tuheiava Pass, the only navigable entrance to the lagoon, is where you’ll find the best diving. Reef sharks and the occasional manta ray can be found here, but the area is most popular for its vast variety of vibrant fish. The more popular species are parrotfish, lionfish, clownfish, barracuda, snapper, tuna, and snapper.

Tikehau is a tiny, circular atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago that is close to Rangiroa. The lagoon resembles a massive natural swimming pool since it is constructed by an almost continuous ring of coral. This underwater aquarium, which is just 100 feet (30 meters) deep and only 16 miles (25 kilometers) across, is filled with marine life.

One of the most popular dive sites in the Tuamotus is the atoll of Tikehau, where the lagoon is incredibly teeming with marine life. Astonishing underwater life can be found in the lagoon with just one pass into the ocean. The richness and preserved nature of the dive sites, which are just a 15-minute boat ride from the main village, are without a doubt what makes diving in Tikehau unique.

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