Teonai - Rangiroa
Whittle Rock is one of those big, wild Cape Town sites that always delivers something unexpected. We love it because it’s massive, a genuine offshore reef system, not just a small pinnacle. You’ll drop onto a rugged rock and coral landscape, often seeing schools of streaky sardines and mackerel streaming by. Keep an eye out for the big stuff – we’ve spotted thresher sharks here, and even orcas have been sighted in the area. Our favourite part is the chance of a common stingray gliding over the sand patches between the reef sections. It’s a dive for those comfortable with deeper water and the occasional current, usually around 20-25m. The visibility can be hit or miss, but when it’s good, the sheer amount of fish life, from bluefin gurnards to dusky groupers, is astounding. It’s a proper expedition, and a dive we always recommend for experienced local divers looking for a true False Bay adventure.
- Location
- Rangiroa, French Polynesia, Central & South Pacific
- Coordinates
- -14.995700, -148.291700
- Type
- reef
Best Time to Dive in Rangiroa
The warmest water temperatures in Rangiroa occur in April, averaging 29.2°C. The coolest conditions are in September at 26.8°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.5°C
- February: 28.7°C
- March: 29.2°C
- April: 29.2°C
- May: 28.7°C
- June: 28.0°C
- July: 27.3°C
- August: 26.8°C
- September: 26.8°C
- October: 27.3°C
- November: 28.1°C
- December: 28.4°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Rangiroa
- 6 passengers
- Alibaba (reef)
- Alibaba (cenote)
- Avatoru Pass (drift)
- Blue Lagoon (reef)
- Eolienne (cenote)
- Mamaa
- Manta Point (reef)
- Motu Nuhi-Nuhi (l’aquarium) (wreck)
- Nuhi Nuhi
- Passe de Tikehau - Tuheiava (wreck)
- Passe de Tiputa (reef)
- Poito (reef)
- Pufana (reef)
- Tairapa Pass - 20-40m (drift)
Nearest Dive Centres to Teonai
Marine Life in Rangiroa
Home to 153 recorded species including 129 reef fish, 6 sea cucumbers, 5 whales & dolphins, 5 hard corals, 2 sharks & rays, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs.
Notable Species
- Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
- Manini (Acanthurus triostegus) - Reef Fish
- Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
- Bearded Sabretooth Blenny (Petroscirtes xestus) - Reef Fish
- Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
- Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) - Reef Fish
- Kihikihi (Zanclus cornutus) - Reef Fish
- Bluelined Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigroris) - Reef Fish
- Stripy (Katsuwonus pelamis) - Reef Fish
- Spotted Unicornfish (Naso brevirostris) - Reef Fish
- Threadfin (Chaetodon auriga) - Reef Fish
- Argus Grouper (Cephalopholis argus) - Reef Fish
- Banded Goatfish (Parupeneus multifasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) - Reef Fish
- Floral wrasse (Cheilinus chlorourus) - Reef Fish
- Black-barred Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigricauda) - Reef Fish
- Saddleback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium) - Reef Fish
- Citron Butterfly (Chaetodon citrinellus) - Reef Fish
- Blue-lined Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - Reef Fish
- Brown Sandfish (Bohadschia vitiensis) - Sea Cucumbers
Recommended Packing List for Teonai
Based on average water temperature of 28.1°C, currents 11 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories