Fakarava

Fakarava is a tiny atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago consisting of 177 atolls.  Fakarava means "beautiful" and it really is.  The atoll consists of only 9 square miles of land and has a population of only 837.  Fakarava has no fresh water and all drinking water is collected via rainfall.

We entered the atoll at the northern passage at around 6:30am and had some great photo ops!

Lighthouse in the distance

In 2006 Fakarava was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.  This proteced coral atoll is a natural reserve for many many rare species of birds, plants and crustaceans.  It's often called a natural aquarium!  You can see its shape on the map of the atoll below.

We had a short tender ride in and were greeted with the customary band and dancers.  We were here in March,2022 and thank goodness not much has changed.  

We were also treated to a primary school group of local children on a field trip and they couldn't wait to say "HI" and get their picture taken!!!

On the last arrival photo above you can see a structure in the background.  It's the old lighthouse and this trip I was determined to find it.  So off I went on foot, in 90 deg. sun, and 3 kilometers later -- voila!!!  The lighthouse is made completely of blocks of coral and is quite the site.

The sites are different on both sides of the atoll as the photos below show.  Inside the coral reef the waters are calm, crystal clear and coral is everywhere.  

On the other side of the atoll the waves breaks on the coral and waters are rough.

So au revoir to Fakarava  and French Polynesia once again!!