Avatoru Pass

Avatoru Pass is one of two channels connecting the Rangiroa lagoon to the open ocean in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia, the other being the better known Tiputa Pass a short distance away. Rangiroa itself is one of the largest atolls in the world, and its passes are shaped by the strong tidal exchange between lagoon and open sea. The village of Avatoru sits near the pass on the atoll's rim, reachable from the main airstrip and settlements along the northern motu. The dive here reaches a maximum depth of around 27 metres and is rated beginner. Divers have reported grouper, snapper, trevally, and tuna moving through the pass, along with sharks, and strong current has also been noted as a hazard.

Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.

• GrouperGrouperReported here · unconfirmed
• Small Giant ClamTridacna maximaReported here · unconfirmed
• Hawaiian Convict SurgeonfishAcanthurus triostegusReported here · unconfirmed
• Striped SurgeonfishAcanthurus lineatusReported here · unconfirmed
• Grey Reef SharkCarcharhinus amblyrhynchosReported here · unconfirmed
• Threadfin ButterflyfishChaetodon aurigaReported here · unconfirmed
• Blacktip Reef SharkCarcharhinus melanopterusReported here · unconfirmed
• Strawberry Hermit CrabCoenobita perlatusReported here · unconfirmed
• TrevallyTrevallyReported here · unconfirmed
• SnapperSnapperReported here · unconfirmed
• TunaTunaReported here · unconfirmed