At 30km (16 miles) long by 5.6km (4 miles) wide, the clear lagoon is bigger than Tikehau's but not nearly as large -- nor as deep -- as those in Rangiroa and Fakarava. Like Tikehau, it's better for diving among colorful tropical fish, as opposed to the big rays and sharks that make diving at Rangiroa so exciting. That's not to say there are no sharks here; to the contrary, the lagoon seems infested with the small reef varieties, and rays feed on plankton near Tairapa Pass, which is wider and deeper than those at Rangiroa. Its strong-enough current makes "riding-the-rip" diving and snorkeling trips a highlight here. All dive sites are in or just outside the pass.
As at Tikehau, Gilles Petrie's Manihi Blue Nui Dive Center, based at the Manihi Pearl Beach Resort , provides top-of-the-line PADI diving. It charges about 6,700CFP (US$84/£42) per one-tank dive. The resort also allows for fishing (both deep-sea and hand-line in the lagoon), snorkeling trips, picnics on deserted islands, and lagoon excursions.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
