Fakarava Grouper Spawning Trip June 2027

Join us in the Fakarava Atoll in June 2027 and experience the Grouper Spawning.

Trip Dates:

June 14 - 21, 2027

Guided Group Trip

Havaiki Lodge & Motu Aito

Double-Occupancy Room From $4,299 per person

All prices are per person, based on double-occupancy.

Why Join This Trip?

Experience the spectacular event that is the Grouper Spawning, where millions of eggs and sperm are released to ensure fertilization
Get the chance to see other pelagics such as sharks and barracudas
The trip is scheduled to target the expected Grouper Spawning date: June 19, 2027
Get a total of 17 dives in Fakarava, with Free Nitrox!
Diver to Guide ratio is 6:1
25% discount on rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
Fully refundable deposit until 12 months from departure

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Trip Overview

Every year, the Grouper Spawning occurs in Fakarava Atoll, where numerous groupers of different species come together. The primary gathering spot for these groupers is the southern pass, which connects the lagoon to the open ocean. During this event, female groupers release millions of eggs, and the males release clouds of sperm, ensuring successful fertilization.

This spawning event is essential for sustaining grouper populations and also attracts various marine predators and scavengers. Sharks, barracudas, and other predatory fish often gather in large numbers to capitalize on the abundant food available during the spawning season.

Our Bluewater trip has been planned to coincide with the predicted date of the grouper spawning in 2027. Please note that this will occur overnight and night diving is not permitted in Fakarava, however, in the days before and after the grouper spawning we can expect to see huge aggregations of grouper and sharks. We will also plan a dive very early in morning on the day after the grouper spawning to catch the final stages of the event.

This remarkable occurrence offers a unique and unforgettable experience for those lucky enough to witness this spectacular event.

Check out this amazing video of thousands of groupers in Fakarava!

Read our full 2025 Fakarava Grouper Spawning Trip Recap, and check out Scott Gietler's photo essay from our past grouper spawning trip. There's more than just sharks in French Polynesia!

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Sample Itinerary

Jun 14: Arrival in Fakarava (FAV) and transfer to Havaiki Lodge to check in
Jun 15: 3 dives in Fakarava North Pass
Jun 16: 3 dives in Fakarava North Pass
Jun 17: 2 dives in Fakarava North Pass and transfer to Motu Aito to check in
Jun 18: 3 dives in Fakarava South Pass
Jun 19: Expected day of grouper spawning -3 dives in Fakarava South Pass
Jun 20: 3 dives in Fakarava South Pass
Jun 21: Check out of Motu Aito and transfer to Fakarava airport (FAV)

See what to expect during this trip, with our video recap from our 2024 Fakarava Grouper spawning trip:

Video recap of Bluewater Travel's 2024 Fakarava Grouper Spawning Trip

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Diving Conditions

During the summer months, Fakarava offers excellent diving conditions as part of its dry season. The weather is generally warm and sunny with minimal rainfall, making it an ideal time to explore this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Water Temperature: 26–28°C (79–82°F)
Visibility: 30–40 meters (100–130 feet)
Depth Range: 5–30 meters (16–98 feet)
Diving Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced; strong currents in passes

Recommended Scuba Gear

Download our full scuba gear guide to Fakarava, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF! Click the image below to download (PDF).

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Trip Type

This trip is a GUIDED GROUP TRIP. Led by an experienced Bluewater trip leader or accredited local guide who will manage the trip logistics and ensure your needs are met throughout. While this trip is designed to optimize your photography opportunities, it is not led by one of our photo instructors and so meaningful photography advice from your trip leader should not be expected.

What to Expect From Our Guided Group Trips

Meet like-minded travelers - Our Group Trips are perfect for solo travelers who enjoy meeting other divers or photographers and enjoy the support of a pre-arranged itinerary. Your trip leader will arrange group activities such as meals or game nights to ensure everyone feels part of the Bluewater family.
Problems solved - Your trip leader will be on hand to assist with any issues you may have. From delayed or canceled flights, to lost room keys and dietary requirements. We have dealt with it all before and will ensure that your trip runs smoothly.

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Inclusions

3 nights accommodation in a beach bungalow with air conditioning at Havaiki Lodge
Half board meals (Breakfast and Dinner) at Havaiki Lodge
4 nights accommodation in a bungalow in Motu Aito Paradise - none that of the bungalows have air conditioning, however, all bungalows face the water and are cooled by ocean breezes
Full board meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) at Motu Aito Paradise
3 days diving in Fakarava North Pass (total 8 dives)
3 days diving in Fakarava South Pass (total 9 dives)
Free Nitrox (subject to availability)
Free rental scuba gear if required
All airport transfers and transfers between resorts

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Exclusions

Flights
Lunches while at Havaiki Lodge
Tourist tax of 100XPF ($1 USD) per person/per night
Gratuities
Insurance - ask us about our preferred partner plan

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About Havaiki Lodge

The Havaiki team, welcoming guests with warm Polynesian smiles, ensures a rich stay at the Havaiki Lodge. Located in Fakarava, Havaiki Lodge welcomes guests to enjoy their ammenities on the lagoon or in the heart of the garden. Complete with kayaks, canoes, and bikes, the resort is the perfect place for guests to discover the most beautiful places such as the well-known pink sand atolls. While here, guests are welcome to enjoy the cocktails and the refined cuisine of local and European inspiration.

About Motu Aito

Motu Aito is considered a “pension” in French Polynesia, which is a local Tahitian guesthouse and is not in the same category as a resort or hotel. The accommodation options range from large ocean facing bungalows with up to 4 beds to small over water bungalows with a small queen bed for a couple. All bungalows are built of wood in traditional Tahitian style. While they do not have air conditioning, each of the bungalows faces the ocean and the fresh sea breeze flows through large windows. Some bungalows do not have doors, instead, a curtain hangs in the doorway for privacy. Beds are equipped with sheets and mosquito nets to keep insects out. Most bungalows have an ensuite shower and toilet in a separate room, however, Suite Rai, Lagoon Bungalow Kaha, and Lagoon Bungalow Teanuanua contains the ensuite within the main room and is separated by only a curtain. Therefore, we recommend these for only solo travelers or companions who are comfortable with an extra layer of “closeness”. The ensuites are equipped with Western-style sit-down flush toilets and a basic shower consisting of a hose attached to a spicket. While there is no hot water, the cool shower water is pleasant in the hot weather.

Connectivity

The WiFi in many resorts around French Polynesian can be intermittent, especially in the islands of Rangiroa and Fakarava. It is worth checking if your cell provider offers data bolt-ons to give you connectivity during your trip.

There are also a surprisingly good number of options to buy local data when you arrive in Tahiti. Tahiti WiFi has a stand in the airport where you can rent a box that connects you to WiFi on most islands (it doesnt work so well in Fakarava and Rangiroa). The box acts as a router and allows you to connect several devices to WiFi at one time. It can be pre-booked for you to pick up at the airport or delivered to your hotel https://www.tahitiwifi.com/. They offer various data packages starting at 5GB for 4,600 XPF ($7).

A cheaper option would be to buy a SIM card for your phone which you can then use to hotspot to other devices. The Tahiti WiFi stand sells Vodafone SIM packages which work well in Tahiti and Moorea, but again arent so great in the more remote islands. They offer 3 packages starting at 2GB data, 30 minutes of local calls, and unlimited texts for around $4. Once you have your SIM card, you can top it up or buy more data at most supermarkets around the islands.

If you plan to island hop and will be exploring Fakarava or Rangiroa, your best option is to buy a SIM from local provider Vini https://www.vini.pf/mobile/international/vini-travel-card. These can be purchased from Cafe Maeva at the airport. Their packages are a bit more expensive but offer excellent coverage all over French Polynesia. For example, the Vini Travel Card costs 4,000 XPF ($33) and gives you 9GB data as well as some bonus calls and texts. Once you have your SIM card you can top it up at most supermarkets around the islands.

Finally, if you arrive out of hours and everything at the airport is closed, there is a gas station within a 5 minute walk of the airport that also sells local SIM cards.

Learn more about traveling to French Polynesia and read about our latest trip!

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Trip Leader

Anne Rucquoi

Originally from Belgium, Anne’s love affair with the ocean started early — she took her very first dives at just 12 years old in France. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a lifelong passion that would shape her career, her travels, and her way of life.

Anne became a PADI Instructor in 2015 and went on to work across Southeast Asia, including Koh Phi Phi, the Gili Islands, and Bali, where she also managed a dive resort in Amed. In 2021, she became a PADI Staff Instructor, regularly assisting on instructor-level courses and continuing to deepen her knowledge — because learning, for Anne, never really stops.

Since joining Bluewater Travel in 2022, Anne has combined her hands-on dive experience with her love for travel planning. She has personally explored and dived some of the world’s most iconic destinations, including Ambon, the Banda Sea, Komodo, Raja Ampat, Halmahera, Lembeh, the Maldives, Coron, El Nido, Malapascua, Moalboal, Anilao, Romblon, Tubbataha, and the Red Sea — and she’s far from done. Her goal? To visit every continent and help her clients find trips that truly match their diving style and dreams.

Anne is also a passionate underwater photographer, shooting with a Canon R7 and a carefully curated setup of macro, super-macro, and wide-angle lenses (all proudly sourced from Bluewater Photo). If there’s a tiny critter to be found — or a dramatic reef scene to capture — she’s in her element.

When she’s not underwater or planning dive adventures, Anne is happiest keeping plants alive (a real skill), walking her dogs, rescuing the occasional street animal, and — most of all — meeting her clients whenever possible. For her, travel isn’t just about destinations; it’s about people, connections, and shared stories.

Favorite dive experience? Raja Ampat — especially the biggest oceanic mantas she’s ever seen. Ultimate bucket-list destination? The Galápagos.

Read more about Anne Rucquoi.

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Fakarava Trip Extension

Want to extend your trip? We can help with that! See more of French Polynesia before or after your trip in Fakarava with Bluewater. Contact us for some examples of packages we can add on to your reservation.

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How To Get There

Flight Information

ARRIVAL: Guests should fly internationally to Tahiti (PPT), arriving in the evening of Jun 13 or early morning of Jun 14. Direct flights are available from LAX and SFO with United, Air Tahiti Nui, Delta, French Bee, and Qantas. You should then book a domestic flight from PPT to FAV on Jun 14 with Air Tahiti. We recommend booking domestic flights early as they book up well in advance.

DEPARTURE: Guests should book a late afternoon flight out of Fakarava on the last day of the trip (June 21). Due to the transfer time from Fakarava South, it will not be possible to depart on an earlier flight.

Flight Package

Our group trips attract guests from all over the globe and many of our customers prefer to book their own flights to take advantage of mileage points or credit card discounts. For these reasons, flights are not included in our group trip packages.

However, we are more than happy to work with you to find the best travel itinerary for your trip and will gladly give suggestions and advice, even if you make the final booking. We will check through your travel reservations at any time to ensure they fit with the trip schedule and can give recommendations on transit hotels and day tours where needed.

If you would like us to book flights and transit hotels for domestic and/or international travel on your behalf, we are also happy to arrange this. Contact Us for more information.

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