Rangiroa, French Polynesia
    Atoll de Fakarava

    Pufana

    Best months: Aug–Dec

    Protected Area

    Atoll de Fakarava

    Why dive here

    With 146+ marine species recorded in the area - including blacktip reef sharks, dolphins, giant moray eels, octopuses and sperm whales - Pufana offers some of Rangiroa's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-29°C, warmest February, March, April.

    Best timeAug–Dec
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlacktip Reef Sharks, Dolphins, Giant Moray Eels, Octopuses and Sperm Whales · 146+ species recorded
    Water27-29°C · warmest February, March, April
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Pufana, tucked inside Rangiroa’s vast lagoon, is one of our go-to spots when we want to slow down and really look. It’s shallow, topping out around 15 metres, which makes it perfect for longer bottom times. We love the bright, white sand flats here, they reflect the sunlight beautifully, creating conditions that are absolute gold for photographers. There’s barely any current to contend with, so you can really settle in and watch the resident Blackstriped Cardinalfish schooling over the sand or try to spot a Camouflage Grouper blending in perfectly. We’ve seen plenty of reef sharks cruising through, even a few young Blackfins, and the macro life keeps us occupied for ages – look for Darkglove Hermit Crabs scuttling about. It's a prime spot for beginners getting comfortable with buoyancy, but frankly, we find ourselves returning just to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and incredible light. This is where you come to unwind and soak in the gentle rhythm of the lagoon, rather than chasing pelagics in the passes.

    Today05:1917:4212h 23m daylightGolden hour 17:13

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Pufana

    Pufana Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Pufana, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-14.98, -147.62) (32km away)

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    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    28°C

    82°F · Range: 27.2–28.7°C

    Current Speed

    11.05 cm/s

    Direction: W (264.8°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.062 mg/m³

    Very clear (oligotrophic)

    Salinity

    36.23 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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