Manihi

Manihi is an atoll 312 miles northeast of Tahiti in the Tuamotu Archipelago. Its clear lagoon, which is 3 1/2 miles wide by l9 miles long, has a deep navigable pass through the reef. 

It is here, in the purest, blue-green waters surrounding this remote atoll, that that South Seas "gem," the rare black pearl, was first farmed. Manihi is still the center of black pearl farming, and a visit to one of many black pearl farms sprinkled arround the lagoon is a must.

Mast of the population of 400 live in Turipaoa village alongside the pass. Activities are naturally centered around the lagoon, and no matter where you stay, your hosts will arrange boat trips to show you around the lagoon, visiting the fish parks and pearl farms, with picnics on a motus and line or spear fishing.

Fakarava

An hour and a half flight from Papeete ( 3 times a week, Mon,/Fr.  via Air Tahiti, Wed. via Air Oceania ),  Rectangular-shaped Fakarava is the second largest atoll in the Tuamotu, 37 miles long by 15 miles wide. It has a very large pass at the north end and a smaller one at the south end.

Rotoava village has a small airport and is located 6 miles from the Ngarue pass (one-kilometer wide). It is a charming village, home to most of the atoll's 248 inhabitants. The only other - sort of - settlement (11 people ) is on Tetamanu motu (islet) located at the opposite end of the lagoon next to the smaller but prettier pass.

Fakarava's immense lagoon has several black pearl farms, idyllic white sand beaches and is peppered with small islands, homes to many breeds of nesting birds oblivious to visitors. The passes provide endless and exciting discoveries for snorkelers and scuba divers in dream-like purple water where 150 foot visibility is the norm.