Avatoru Pass — Tiputa Pass

Planning a trip?

Hotels, dive operators, gear, and how to get here are on the Tiputa Pass location page.

Overview

Rangiroa’s western pass, fronting Avatoru village and split into two channels by a small islet. Shallower than Tiputa and angled across the flow, it can be dived even when the tide runs outward. Grey reef sharks — the local ‘raira’ — patrol the channel mouth in squadrons, manta rays hang in the current to feed, and whitetip reef sharks rest in shallow grottos. Eagle rays and dense schools of snapper pour past before the drift releases you into the calm turquoise lagoon. Currents here are strong and shift fast.

Briefing note

Currents are strong and less predictable than Tiputa; dive with a local guide who knows the tide windows. The two-channel mouth and shallow grottos reward good buoyancy.

What you'll see

6 species curated

Grey reef shark
year-round
Manta ray
seasonal
Peak: Nov · Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar
Whitetip reef shark
year-round
Great hammerhead
seasonal
Peak: Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar
Spotted eagle ray
seasonal
Peak: Nov · Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar
Schooling barracuda
year-round

Conditions

Month	Water	Visibility	Current
Jan	28–29 °C	25–40 m	strong
Feb	28–29 °C	25–40 m	strong
Mar	28–29 °C	25–40 m	strong
Apr	27–29 °C	25–40 m	strong
May	27–28 °C	25–40 m	strong
Jun	26–28 °C	25–40 m	strong
Jul	26–27 °C	25–40 m	strong
Aug	26–27 °C	25–40 m	strong
Sep	26–28 °C	25–40 m	strong
Oct	27–28 °C	25–40 m	strong
Nov	27–29 °C	25–40 m	strong
Dec	28–29 °C	25–40 m	strong

Season calendar

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Peak season highlighted · current month outlined

Gear for this site

Beyond the basic kit

SMB — Every dive ends as a drift out into the lagoon — deploy before surfacing in boat traffic.
Reef hook — Hook into the channel lip to hold position while sharks and mantas work the current.

Next step

Book your trip to Tiputa Pass

Hotels, liveaboards, dive operators, gear recommendations, and travel logistics for the whole region.

Plan your trip →

Some links earn us a commission. Learn more