Upcoming Bluewater Expedition in Fakarava for Grouper Spawning Spectacle in 2024
Experiencing the 2024 Grouper Spawning event in Fakarava
In June 2024, Bluewater Travel's inaugural 'Travel with Bluewater' Grouper Spawning Trip to Fakarava was a remarkable success. In spite of the logistical complexities associated with such a distant location, a group of 16 divers, led by the skilled General Manager and Trip Leader, Tim Yeo, encountered an abundance of marine life and an unparalleled shark spectacle.
Day 1: Welcome to Fakarava
The journey began with more than half the group arriving early, venturing to other motus (islands) before touching down in Fakarava. One participant missed a connection in Los Angeles, resulting in a delayed arrival in Tahiti. After contacting the Trip Leader and liaising with Bluewater agents, an alternative flight was secured, preventing a significant delay. A crucial tip for travelers: arriving early ensures you don't miss domestic flights between Papeete and Fakarava, which do not operate daily.
Upon arrival, the group was warmly welcomed by a charming transfer bus and whisked away to Havaiki Lodge, situated in the remote Tuamotu Atolls of French Polynesia. Within minutes of arrival, dozens of sharks could be seen gracefully gliding in the waters just off the beach. The accommodation offered a blend of Polynesian and modern aesthetics, along with air conditioning – a unique feature among Fakarava resorts.
The evening's meal was a delightful BBQ served by the water, providing a scrumptious yet relaxed start to the trip. As the day was lengthy due to travel, most opted to retire early, while others spent their time getting acquainted with their dive buddies on the dock.
Days 2-3: Diving in Fakarava's Passes
The diving schedule consisted of three dives per day for the first couple of days – two in the morning and one in the afternoon. Known as the Garuae Pass or Fakarava North Pass, these dives were timed according to the tides. The boat ride from the resort to the dive site took approximately 20 minutes, with surface intervals spent on the boat or a rocky beach, depending on conditions. Returning to the resort at around 12:30 p.m., lunch was served in a leisurely fashion before diving resumed at 2:30 p.m.
Day 4: A Day of Leisure
The fourth day offered a two-tank dive schedule, giving participants the afternoon free to explore other activities. Some rested, others visited the on-site spa, and a select few rented bicycles to pedal around the island.
Day 5: Transfer Day
The transfer to Motu Aito in the south was scheduled for day five, but wave conditions forced a change in plans. The original plan was to board the boat at Havaiki Pearl's pier, but rough seas made it impossible, causing significant delays and a journey of over three hours. Fortunately, everyone safely arrived at Motu Aito by the end of the day.
Days 6-7: Diving the South Pass
The following days were spent diving in the famous Tumakohua Pass, also referred to as the Fakarava South Pass. Initially, huge waves reduced visibility to around 30 feet, but as they subsided, the diving conditions improved, allowing for a closer look at the groupers and shark action. The highlight of the trip was the massive gathering of marbled groupers – thousands of them, motionless near the bottom – and an abundance of sharks, including grey reef sharks, blackfin sharks, silvertip sharks, and even 10-foot-long lemon sharks.
Days 8-10: The Grouper Spawning Event
On the full moon, the group awoke with excitement, anticipating the peak of the grouper spawning event. Unfortunately, the groupers had spawned a day early, leaving only hundreds behind. Despite this, the sharks continued to put on an awe-inspiring performance. On the final day of diving, the group enjoyed exceptionally clear waters, a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable underwater adventure.
After two more morning dives and a picturesque visit to Pink Beach, the group bid farewell to their friends at Top Dive and Motu Aito, completing their journey back to the airport and eventually back home.
Fakarava's passes offer world-class shark diving opportunities, with the week of the grouper spawning in the south pass bringing a thrilling escalation in excitement. Join Bluewater Travel in Fakarava during the grouper spawning for an extraordinary diving experience! Interested in signing up for the next trip? Book your spot on the Fakarava Grouper Spawning Trip in 2025 or 2027.
- Despite an initial hiccup with a delayed participant, the Travel with Bluewater Grouper Spawning Trip in Fakarava proved to be a noteworthy success, showcasing a wealth of marine life and an unparalleled shark spectacle.
- Throughout the trip, divers marveled at the rich environmental beauty of Fakarava, particularly the coral reefs that teemed with an array of colorful fish and other marine creatures.
- In the tranquil ambiance of Havaiki Lodge, participants relished the harmonious fusion of Polynesian and modern styles, found comfort in the air-conditioned rooms – a rarity among Fakarava resorts – and were captivated by the plethora of sharks gliding in the waters just off the beach.
- The exhilarating diving trips organized by Bluewater Travel brought divers to Fakarava's renowned passes, delivering once-in-a-lifetime encounters with various shark species and the mesmerizing sight of thousands of marbled groupers.
- For those seeking an immersion into a unique diving lifestyle and the chance to witness extraordinary marine phenomena, joining the Fakarava Grouper Spawning Trip offered by Bluewater Travel promises an unforgettable adventure, with opportunities to book a spot for 2025 and 2027 trips.
