DivePlnr
    Tairapa Pass dive site
    drift
    20-40m
    Rangiroa, French Polynesia

    Tairapa Pass

    Best months: Aug–Dec

    Why dive here

    With 146+ marine species recorded in the area - including blacktip reef sharks, dolphins, giant moray eels, octopuses and sperm whales - Tairapa Pass offers some of Rangiroa's richest drift 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
    CharacterDrift dive · max 20-40m
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Tairapa Pass, on the southern side of Rangiroa, offers a drift dive through a narrow channel. We’ve found the currents here can be quite strong, making it best suited for experienced divers comfortable with fast-moving water. Expect to see reef sharks, schooling jacks, and triggerfish riding the flow. It’s a raw, wild drift, a good contrast to some of the more well-known passes.

    Typical Tairapa Pass Dive Profile

    10m20mSafety Stop0m20m max~30 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Safety Notes

    Depth of 20m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.

    Drift dive - carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and stay with your group. Brief the current direction before entry.

    Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

    Today05:2117:4212h 21m daylightGolden hour 17:14

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Tairapa Pass

    Tairapa Pass Ocean Conditions

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

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    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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