Things to Do in Tikehau —
Top 9 Activities,
Diving & Where to Stay

Snorkeling in Tikehau — 4-meter manta rays at the cleaning station

This is the number one excursion in Tikehau, and for good reason. The lagoon is exceptionally rich in marine life. You board a local boat for a full day with four distinct highlights — each unforgettable in its own way.

The full-day program

The day starts with snorkeling at the manta ray cleaning station — the absolute highlight. Manta rays with 3 to 4-meter wingspans come here regularly to be cleaned by small fish. You slip into the water quietly, and these giants glide around you with absolute grace. Even children can enjoy this experience — the water is shallow and the visibility perfect.

Next comes a guided walking tour of Bird Island — a deserted motu where frigatebirds, terns and boobies nest in impressive numbers. The guide explains the species, nesting cycles and the unique ecosystem of this preserved islet. A place very few travellers know about.

Then comes a local picnic lunch in the fishermen's village, right next to the pass. Fresh fish, coconut crab, local fruits — prepared on site by the residents. A chance to chat with the fishermen, see the pirogues, and understand why the Tuheiava pass is so incredibly rich in marine life.

The day ends with a drift snorkel through Tikehau's unique pass. You let the current carry you while leopard rays, giant schools of barracuda and trevally, Napoleon fish and sometimes sharks drift below. An experience that requires being comfortable in the water — but absolutely worth it.

Tikehau's lagoon — its crystal-clear waters and exceptional marine life make every snorkeling excursion an unforgettable experience

Diving in Tikehau — Coco Dive, our recommended dive center

If Tikehau is famous for its snorkeling, it's while diving that the island reveals its true face. Cousteau didn't call it "the world's most fish-rich atoll" for nothing — below the surface, it's an explosion of marine life that takes your breath away. Enormous schools of fish, dense formations of barracuda, trevally, and in the pass, the encounters that make your heart race.

Tikehau's dive center — dives in the Tuheiava pass are among the most spectacular in all of French Polynesia

What you see diving in Tikehau

The Tuheiava pass is a sanctuary. Here's what you regularly encounter depending on conditions and season:

• Hammerhead sharks — present in the cold season, often in groups in the blue of the pass
• Tiger sharks — rare but unforgettable encounters, particularly impressive
• Grey reef sharks — almost guaranteed in the pass, circling elegantly in the current
• Massive schools of barracuda — formations of several hundred individuals
• Trevally schools — fast predators hunting in tight groups
• Leopard rays — graceful, they seem to fly through the water
• Napoleon wrasse, tuna, moray eels — exceptional richness at every dive
• Manta rays — sometimes encountered while diving too, especially in season

The pink sand beach of Tikehau — a waking dream

This is without doubt the most beautiful place in Tikehau. A pale pink, almost pearlescent sandbank floating in the middle of the lagoon like an illusion. When the sun is at the right angle and the sky is clear, the scene is surreal: the turquoise blues, the silver reflections of the shallow water, and that rosy tint that gives the scene an almost fairy-tale quality. A postcard… but real.

The sandbank is only accessible by boat. The easiest way is to include it in a snorkeling excursion or a motu day trip — most guesthouses and hotels organise these outings. We recommend going in the morning for the soft light, or late afternoon for a sunset over the pink sand.

Tikehau's pink sand beach — one of the most photographed and magical spots in all of French Polynesia

Exploring Tikehau's motus by kayak

The motus of Tikehau — small islets of white sand and coconut palms that ring the atoll — are best discovered by kayak. Paddling across Tikehau's lagoon, in water so turquoise and shallow you can see the bottom with every stroke, is an experience of absolute freedom. You go at your own pace, stop on whichever motu catches your eye, and rest the kayak in the pink sand. No boat, no group — just you, the lagoon and the silence. The kind of quiet that is increasingly hard to find.

The motus of Tikehau — small deserted islets of white sand and coconut palms, best reached by kayak

Guesthouses organise kayak outings — some with a picnic on a deserted motu, others with kayaks freely available. We recommend heading out early morning to enjoy the golden light and perfectly flat water. Snorkeling along the way is possible everywhere — turtles and rays regularly glide beneath the kayaks in the shallow lagoon.

Sunset at Pension Herearii

This is our favourite ritual in Tikehau. At the end of the day, from Pension Herearii, we settle facing the lagoon to watch the sun go down. The setting is absolutely perfect — the guesthouse beach, the coconut palms, and in front of you this pink lagoon turning gold and orange at sunset. No need to go looking for a spot — it's right there, just outside the cabin door.

Pension Herearii at sunset — from the beach, the pink lagoon turns gold and orange. A spectacular view right from the cabin.

The sky shifts from pink to orange to violet as the clouds dance above the palms. And that moment when the sun slips behind the ocean… The kind of sunset where you realise how lucky you are to be here, far from everything. After sunset, we recommend a short bike ride to the village dock — the fishermen come in at the end of the day with their catch, pirogues glide across the lagoon, and the atmosphere is pure authentic Tikehau.

Cycling around Tikehau

If we had to choose one way to get around Tikehau, it would be by bike — without hesitation. The atoll is flat, the distances are short, and the pace is gentle. Perfect conditions for wandering without a plan. We love starting the day with a ride to Tuherahera village in the morning — the golden light filters through the coconut palms, tropical flowers explode with colour, and everything feels peacefully unhurried.

Along the way, you pass children cycling, fishermen returning with the day's catch, and always that warm smile from the locals who greet you as if you were a neighbour. What we love most: taking the bike, heading out with no plan, and stumbling — around a bend — upon a deserted pink sand beach. Leaving the bike in the sand, going for a swim, then heading off again when the mood takes you. Perfect life.

Visiting Tuherahera village

You can't visit Tikehau without spending time in Tuherahera, the island's small main village. This is where everything happens. The village is human-scale, colourful, full of flowers and overflowing with charm. Gardens are tended, houses often painted in pastel tones, and everywhere the bougainvillea bursts with colour.

Tikehau's lagoon and motus — white sand islets and coconut palms set on a lagoon of an unreal shade of blue

We love wandering on foot or by bike, stopping at the small grocery shop for a local ice cream or a packet of coconut biscuits, and chatting with the residents — always welcoming and curious about where you come from. There's also a simple church, typical of Polynesian archipelagos. It's in this village that you truly feel the soul of Tikehau.

Watching the fishermen at the dock in the evening

At the end of the day, after sunset, hop on your bike and head to the village dock. This is where the fishermen return from the pass with their catch — tuna, grouper, parrotfish — unloading the pirogues. A simple, authentic spectacle, typical of life in the Tuamotu. The locals are friendly, children play on the dock, the cats wait for their share. You often end up staying far longer than planned, just watching and chatting.

Tikehau's coconut oil distillery — artisanal production

Not to be missed if you're curious about local life: Tikehau's coconut oil distillery. A local association produces coconut oil using an entirely artisanal process — from harvesting the nuts to pressing, everything is done by hand. The visit is short but fascinating, and you gain a much deeper understanding of the coconut palm's role in Polynesian economy and culture.

You can buy pure locally-produced coconut oil on site — an authentic gift to bring back from Tikehau, far removed from the industrial products found in Tahiti. Ask your guesthouse about opening hours — they vary by day.

Accommodation in Tikehau — from guesthouse to the Pearl

Tikehau offers two radically different worlds of accommodation: authentic family guesthouses where you live alongside the locals, and the Pearl Tikehau, one of the most beautiful hotels in all of French Polynesia. Here are our direct recommendations, from our own experience.

Pension Herearii in Tikehau — on a paradise beach, two charming cabins and exceptional cooking

The Pearl Tikehau — one of the most beautiful hotels in French Polynesia, set on the atoll's pink lagoon

Tikehau or Fakarava — which one to choose?

This is the question we're most often asked. Both atolls are magnificent and complementary — the answer depends on your priorities.

If you're a diver, plan 4 to 5 nights on each island — you need time to multiply the dives in the pass and fully appreciate the underwater richness. If you don't dive, 3 nights on each can be enough to cover the essential activities. Air Tahiti flights allow Tuamotu loops via Rangiroa, Tikehau and Fakarava before returning to Tahiti.

Prepare your Tuamotu journey