Snorkeling in various coral gardens

Exploring the "hoa" (channels) with fins, mask and snorkel offers wonderful opportunities to observe the lagoon's fish and coral.

Snorkeling in Tikehau: A magical immersion in the turquoise waters of the Pacific

Imagine floating on the surface of crystal-clear water, the sun caressing your skin and the shimmering colors of the underwater world before your astonished eyes. Welcome to Tikehau, a hidden gem in the Tuamotu archipelago of French Polynesia, where snorkeling is much more than a simple activity - it's a magical experience that transports you to an aquatic universe of spellbinding beauty.

Tikehau is often described as one of the world's best snorkeling spots, and rightly so. Its unrivalled lagoon is a veritable Eden for snorkeling enthusiasts, offering exceptional biodiversity and breathtaking underwater scenery.

Equipped with mask, snorkel and fins, aquatic explorers venture into the shallow waters of the lagoon to discover a dazzling underwater world. From the very first fathoms, the show begins. Brightly colored corals unfurl before your eyes, forming a breathtaking tableau. Hard and soft corals intermingle to create a colorful patchwork that is home to a multitude of marine creatures.

Tropical fish form a veritable farandole, swimming gracefully around you, indifferent to your presence. From playful clownfish in brilliant colors to majestic surgeonfish and delicately patterned butterflyfish, a veritable parade of colors and shapes evolves before your amazed eyes.

But that's not all. Tikehau lagoon is also the playground of many other marine inhabitants. Stingrays move elegantly through the shallow waters, creating an unreal vision. If you're lucky, you might come across the shy sea turtles, feeding peacefully at the bottom of the lagoon. Blacktip sharks, harmless to humans, patrol gracefully, adding a touch of mystery and excitement to the experience.

The beauty of snorkeling on Tikehau also lies in its simplicity. You don't need to be an experienced diver to get the most out of the experience. Snorkeling is accessible to all and requires no special training. It's a family activity par excellence, allowing everyone to discover the wonders of the underwater world together.

One of the special features of snorkeling on Tikehau is the clarity and limpidity of the water, allowing snorkelers to fully enjoy every detail of the underwater landscape. The sensation of floating above this fairytale world is a soothing, almost meditative experience, allowing you to connect with nature and recharge your batteries.

Beyond the aesthetic aspect, snorkeling at Tikehau also offers an opportunity to raise awareness of the need to protect the marine environment. We make visitors aware of the fragility of this exceptional ecosystem. Respecting the rules of responsible conduct at sea is essential to preserving Tikehau's rich marine life for future generations.

In conclusion, snorkeling at Tikehau is an unforgettable experience that transports you to an underwater world of enchanting beauty. The richness of the marine flora and fauna, the clarity of the lagoon waters and the simplicity of this activity make it an adventure accessible to all. Floating above this aquatic paradise is an experience that leaves an indelible mark on you, leaving unforgettable memories and an irrepressible desire to return to this unspoilt sanctuary in the heart of the Pacific.

Snorkeling photos

Spending a family vacation in a secluded location in an exceptional area like Tikehau’s atoll can be a very attractive vacation project.
Fafarua Private Island is certainly the place.
On the private island, everything has been done to provide the necessary comfort for a pleasant stay in an environment that remains rather hostile to non-native people.

There are, however, certain realities to consider.

The concept of a secluded private island responds to the notion of enjoying an exceptional environment with peace, tranquility and respect for the place and its inhabitants.
We ask our guests to share these values. We appreciate good humor, music and general conviviality. However, we do not tolerate yelling, screaming, fighting or aggressive behavior, regardless of the age of the guests.

Parents are responsible for supervising their children, whether in the buildings, on the grounds, during unsupervised swimming, or on excursions.
In addition, the natural environment can present a number of hazards:
- Risk of injury from coral, which is omnipresent on an atoll,
- Numerous coconut trees with coconuts that can fall,
- Unsupervised swimming.

The remoteness of the island should be taken into account, as we are 30 minutes by boat (in calm seas) from the village clinic (there is no doctor on the island) and one hour by plane from the nearest hospital (in Tahiti).

The use of equipment such as paddleboards, kayaks, fins, masks and snorkels must be under the supervision and responsibility of parents.

The installations, furnishings and decorations of the lodge are the result of more than twenty years of work and are often difficult to repair or replace. Therefore, we ask that everyone be respectful and make appropriate use of the facilities, equipment and environment. The house as a whole, should not be considered a playground.

Rooms must be used according to their normal occupancy. For example, a room with a bathroom for 2 to 3 people cannot be used for 4 to 6 people. The 60 000 square meter motu and its beaches are available for physical exercise.

The remoteness of the atoll and the private island makes sourcing very complicated, forcing the chef to constantly adapt to what's available.
We give great preference to fresh local produce and our cuisine is based on fish in all its forms, caught locally and whenever we can.
It is very difficult to plan "special children's" meals and cater to everyone's specific tastes. We therefore recommend that you contact us prior to booking to find out how we can accommodate your needs.

Similarly, the isolated location of the private island and the need to be self-sufficient in water and electricity means that we have to consider the wise use of these two resources without wasting them.

For all these reasons, although we are happy to welcome children, we feel that Fafarua Private Island is not a "particularly suitable" structure for children, especially young ones.
That's why, after ten years of experience, we have decided not to accept children under the age of 12.
We would be happy to welcome children over the age of 12, and we ask families bringing children to understand that this will only be possible if they make an effort to adapt to what we offer and to the rules of conviviality on the motu.

Spending a family vacation in a secluded location in an exceptional area like Tikehau's atoll can be a very attractive vacation project.
Fafarua Private Island is certainly the place.
On the private island, everything has been done to provide the necessary comfort for a pleasant stay in an environment that remains rather hostile to non-native people.

There are, however, certain realities to consider.

The concept of a secluded private island responds to the notion of enjoying an exceptional environment with peace, tranquility and respect for the place and its inhabitants.
We ask our guests to share these values. We appreciate good humor, music and general conviviality. However, we do not tolerate yelling, screaming, fighting or aggressive behavior, regardless of the age of the guests.

Parents are responsible for supervising their children, whether in the buildings, on the grounds, during unsupervised swimming, or on excursions.
In addition, the natural environment can present a number of hazards:
- Risk of injury from coral, which is omnipresent on an atoll,
- Numerous coconut trees with coconuts that can fall,
- Unsupervised swimming.

The remoteness of the island should be taken into account, as we are 30 minutes by boat (in calm seas) from the village clinic (there is no doctor on the island) and one hour by plane from the nearest hospital (in Tahiti).

The use of equipment such as paddleboards, kayaks, fins, masks and snorkels must be under the supervision and responsibility of parents.

The installations, furnishings and decorations of the lodge are the result of more than twenty years of work and are often difficult to repair or replace. Therefore, we ask that everyone be respectful and make appropriate use of the facilities, equipment and environment. The house as a whole, should not be considered a playground.

Rooms must be used according to their normal occupancy. For example, a room with a bathroom for 2 to 3 people cannot be used for 4 to 6 people. The 60 000 square meter motu and its beaches are available for physical exercise.

The remoteness of the atoll and the private island makes sourcing very complicated, forcing the chef to constantly adapt to what's available.
We give great preference to fresh local produce and our cuisine is based on fish in all its forms, caught locally and whenever we can.
It is very difficult to plan "special children's" meals and cater to everyone's specific tastes. We therefore recommend that you contact us prior to booking to find out how we can accommodate your needs.

Similarly, the isolated location of the private island and the need to be self-sufficient in water and electricity means that we have to consider the wise use of these two resources without wasting them.

For all these reasons, although we are happy to welcome children, we feel that Fafarua Private Island is not a "particularly suitable" structure for children, especially young ones.
That's why, after ten years of experience, we have decided not to accept children under the age of 12.
We would be happy to welcome children over the age of 12, and we ask families bringing children to understand that this will only be possible if they make an effort to adapt to what we offer and to the rules of conviviality on the motu.

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