French Polynesia
/ Island ou Atoll / Rangiroa

Rangiroa is the largest atoll in the Tuamotus, and one of the largest in the world. It lies 350 km northeast of Tahiti and comprises some 415 motus, islets and sandbanks. Thanks to its exceptional lagoon and magnificent passes, Rangiroa is one of the world's top 5 destinations for scuba diving. The atoll is famous for its bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), which regularly play in the pass. Although they can be seen from the mainland, Rangiroa is one of the few places on earth where you can dive close to them. The island is also renowned for its great hammerhead shark sightings, which take place from December to March. It's at this time of year that divers from all over the world come to Rangiroa to try and catch a glimpse of this fascinating shark, original in the shape of its cephalofoil and its imposing size. This idyllic setting attracts many tourists, who stay in hotels or homestays. Daily air connections with Tahiti make it easy to get around.