I stay in the atoll of Rangiroa- meaning ("Great sky" in paumotu), in the archipelago of the Tuamotu, French Polynesia.
Rangiroa is made of a ring of motu, the Tahitian name for small islands ,separated from one another by passes. Rangiroa, is also a village, on the Avatoru motu one of the main islands. This motu is surrounded by two passes, where the exploration dives are carried out.
Courses and first dives are done in the lagoon, in quieter conditions.
These channels, particularly Tiputa, offer a great wildlife diversity.
They are transit areas between ocean and lagoon. After a first development phase in open ocean, larvae achieve their growth on the outside reef or in the lagoon and go through channels, where the trophic chain explodes. Concentrating biomass, the passes are ecologically very important. We are, in such places, the privileged witnesses of underwater wildlife beauty.
Job and passion have allowed me to get acquainted to the Rangiroa’ diving spots and their associated wildlife. Using a rebreather, I will show you how great this biodiversity is.
Ten species of sharks are potentially encountered in Rangiroa :
Rangiroa special features are the grey reef shark population settled in the Tiputa pass and the great hammerhead shark season from December to March every year. Hundreds of grey reef sharks use the current at the entrance to the pass. The “wall” they build can be seen during the incoming tide (from the ocean to the lagoon). During the mating season, they gather in canyons at a 60 ft depth in the middle of Tiputa pass. The sharks, and their special mating behaviours, can be observed more easily because the water are shallower.
The solitary great hammerhead shark is encountered throughout the year, with a main occurrence during the season from December to March. It is often furtively met on the bottom of the pass, around a 120 ft deep. The rebreather is the best adapted diving equipment to meet this exceptional species in its natural environment.
The great hammerhead shark season is linked to the spotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari season. If this species is encountered throughout the year, flights of dozen of individuals can be seen in this period, most of the time, in the blue and down the bottom.
If there is no specific season for manta rays Manta birostris, they are most commonly observed from July to September. Constant outgoing current phases are also good conditions to meet them. Rays are very shy and encounters, often furtive in open circuit. The rebreather will allow you unbelievable and unforgettable shots and scenes.
A group of wild bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, often play in the rough waves of the outgoing current. Used to divers, they may come to you and create this unique and exceptional interaction.
In addition to these remarkable animals, the outside reef and the passes are shelter for numerous smaller fishes. Parrotfish, butterflyfish, snappers, groupers, wrasses, jacks and surgeonfish are the quiet inhabitants of Rangiroa'’s reef. Many rare species are met in Tiputa and Avatoru : pygmy wrasses, soapfish, and more...…
Top
© 2008 Planète Recycleur, Patrick Plantard, All rights reserved.