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The largest of the Polynesian archipelagoes has come back to life through the establishment of 250 pearl farms.
Fishing and diving are the main attraction of the islands.
The Tuamotu Archipelago consists of 77 atolls.
An atoll is called a "low island" because it is formed by an exposed ring of coral. The Tuamotu Archipelago is the oldest group of Tahitian Islands geologically speaking. Originally a chain of volcanic islands, the warm waters attracted the coral, which formed reefs around the islands. Eventually the weight of the islands on the moving continental plates caused them to sink leaving only the coral reef. The coral grows as fast as the island sinks.
An atoll generally has 0 - 2 channels (passes) and the currents in these passes can be quite strong.
In accordance with the tides and general swells the water enters and exits renewing the limpid lagoons.
It is in these passes that are undoubtedly found the most abundant fauna in Polynesia. Drift dives are generally orgainized to ride the current from outside the reef into the lagoon through these passes.
These dives are not to be missed!
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