Things To Do in Rangiroa
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Rangiroa Attractions
The Villages
Avatoru and Tiputa are typical Tuamotuan villages. I consider Avatoru to be the more interesting of the two. Not only is it on the main island (you will need to ride a boat across the pass to Tiputa), but it is also larger and has a bit more to see. When you get into town, follow the main road straight ahead until it makes a right turn at the picturesque Protestant church beside Avatoru Pass. Along the way, you'll see the mairie (town hall), post office, banks, and three general stores. The whitewashed stone wall along this part of the road is typical of Tuamotuan villages. You can make a loop by following the main street beyond the church; it circles a large public park before returning to the main road.
Rangiroa Shopping
You wouldn't expect to be doing any wine-tasting in these atolls, but Cave de Rangiroa, near Avarotu (tel. 96.04.70; www.vindetahiti.pf), is the display room for Vin de Tahiti (Tahiti Wines), French Polynesia's only vineyard and winery. The Carignan, muscat de Hambourg, and Italia varieties were first planted in a coconut grove out on the motu west of the main islet in 1999. You can take a half-day tour to the vineyard for 6,000CFP (US$75/£38) per person, or just stay here in the cave and taste the results in air-conditioned comfort for 1,800CFP (US$23/£11). Open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 1pm and 3 to 6pm.
Rangiroa does not produce black pearls in the same quantity as Manihi, but you can visit Gauguin's Pearl Farm, west of the airport (tel. 93.11.30), and see how it's done. You can buy loose pearls in the shop, which is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm (with demonstrations Mon-Fri at 8:30am, 10:30am, and 2pm), weekends 9am to noon and 3 to 5pm.
You might find good locally produced pareus, shell necklaces, or baskets woven of pandanus palm leaves at Fare Artisant Vaitarip, the local women's cooperative beside the lake in Avatoru village (no phone). At the east end of the village, Coconut Boutique (tel. 96.85.12) carries woodcarvings, pareus, aloha shirts, French magazines, and toiletries in small sizes. Both are open Monday to Saturday 8am to 5pm.
