One of the world’s largest atolls, Rangiora is a gorgeous slice of French Polynesia, with deep-blue water, white-sand beaches, and a delicate ecosystem that supports everything from pearl oysters to a one-of-a-kind vineyard. In Rangiroa, sun, sand, and relaxation are the name of the game. Things to do include snorkeling among blacktip reef sharks at Blue Lagoon, scuba diving at Tiputa Pass, and picking out the perfect piece of black pearl jewelry to remember your time on the atoll.
The best time to visit Rangiroa and other atolls in the Tuamotus is from May to October. These exposed islands are extremely low-lying, so it’s best to visit during the dry season, when there’s not as great a risk of storms disrupting the fresh water supply or causing transportation issues. The dry season also means better underwater visibility, with wind or rain less likely to stir up the sand on the seafloor.
Shaped like a ring, Rangiora has a circumference of 120 miles (200 kilometers), with a single road circling the entire atoll. You can pick up a rental car to navigate it on your own, but many tours offer pickup and drop-off at your hotel or bed-and-breakfast. Cycling is also a popular mode of transit in Rangiora, and many accommodations provide guests with a free set of wheels.
To taste some truly unique wine, visit Vin de Tahiti in Avatoru, where you can learn how ambitious wine lovers have managed to grow grapes on a coral atoll. The tour of the wine cellar includes a wine and rum tasting, plus information about the vineyard’s history and process. Thanks to their unusual location, they’re very selective in what they grow, with most of the wine coming from carignan, italia, and black muscat varietals.
