Backpacking Fakarava on a Budget

Backpacking Fakarava is relatively new and that newness has kept this hidden slice of paradise off the main tourist radar, for now.
Backpacking Fakarava on a Budget

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Backpacking Fakarava is relatively new and that newness has kept this hidden slice of paradise off the main tourist radar, for now. The few other tourists I saw on Fakarava were mostly dive enthusiasts.

Fakarava PK9 Beach
Living that beach life

About Fakarava

Located in the Tuamotu archipelago of French Polynesia Fakarava is an atoll style island, meaning it lacks a lot of mass and elevation but it is elongated and takes up a generous amount of area. Fakarava is bombarded with continual wind and occasional rain. Being long and flat, the rain comes in quick short bursts leaving you with most of the day to enjoy the sunshine.

Fakarava Atoll
Fakarava Atoll

Fakarava is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, meaning it’s coral reef is protected by the United Nations. This protection provides a rich and lush ocean environment, allowing the coral and sea life to thrive.

Snorkeling Fakarava
Snorkeling Fakarava

Due to this biosphere and remoteness, scuba diving here is arguably the best in the world. Shark diving is the main attraction when visiting Fakarava. The Wall of Shark dive, as it is called an indescribable experience. Diving is slightly expensive compared to other destinations but it is well worth the price tag. The best dive sites are in the South Pass and they start at 20,000 XPF. This includes a one hour rough boat ride, 2 dives and lunch. Snorkeling on the other hand is free and you can basically step off the shore anywhere to find lush coral full of fish.

  • Wild Tip: There are 4 dive shops on the island. I personally was not able to dive but I talked with multiple divers and I stopped by 2 of the shops. The most recommended dive shop was Kaina Plongee with Vincent as the instructor. The next best and close second is Dive Spirit Fakarava. Followed by O2 Fakarava and coming in far last and least recommended, actually I was told to avoid it at all costs, is Top Dive Fakarava.

There are only two small grocery stores and a couple of restaurants on Fakarava. The main town of Rotoava is quite small. There is a newly constructed concrete road that runs from the airport through town. Fakarava is accessible by daily flights from other islands or you can arrive by a twice-a-month cargo ship from Papeete.

Fakarava airport
Fakarava airport

On the outskirts of Rotoava is a decent beach but the best and most hidden stretch of sand is located at PK9, passed the airport, off a dirt road, next to kilometer marker 9.

Fakarava PK9 Beach
The PK9 Beach
Fakarava Beach French Polynesia13 | Outsidevibes
PK9 is definitely worth the bike ride
Fakarava Beach French Polynesia22 | Outsidevibes
Turn left at this km marker

Camping on Fakarava

There are 2 active campgrounds on Fakarava, Relais Marama and Camping Tekopa Village. During my time backpacking Fakarava I stayed at Relais Marma. I also visited Tekopa Village to see how it was.

Relais Marama Fakarava
Our campsite

I recommend camping at Relais Marama, Jacque, the owner, is fluent in English and very friendly. He keeps the place nice and tidy. You are provided free airport pickup, free breakfast, access to a kitchen, fridge and BBQ. You also get free filtered rainwater and free WiFi, along with two bathroom/shower areas that are equipped with hot water and free use of well kept bicycles to ride up and down the island.

Relais Marama Fakarava
Bungalow life
Relais Marama Fakarava
Kitchen area
Relais Marama Fakarava
Entrance to Relias Marama
Relais Marama Fakarava
Bungalow life
Relais Marama Fakarava
Bikes on bikes on bikes
Relais Marama Fakarava
Where I spent most of my afternoons

Relais Marama is located in the city of Rotoava. You have shade provided by tall trees and you are located in the center of the island that helps block the constant wind. The price is 3,000 XPF per person to camp or 7,000 XPF per person for a bungalow.

Relais Marama Fakarava
The bungalows looked nice but way out of my budget

I biked out to Camping Tekopa Village on my second day because camping was cheaper than Relais Marama at 2,000 XPF per person. It is located almost 7 kilometers from town and what I found was slightly rundown and completely exposed to the wind and sun.

Camping Tekopa Village Fakarava
Camping Tekopa Village

The owners seemed very friendly but they did not speak English. They had to bring over a young french backpacker to help translate. I asked him what he thought of the place and he basically confirmed what I could see. Everything was slightly run down and you were not provided many amenities, only one cold water bathroom. You have to pay for your airport transfer to the property, 1,000 XPF and if you want to use one of the two rusted out bikes it’s 1,500 XPF per day.

Camping Tekopa Village
Entrance to Camping Tekopa Village

With no breakfast included and the cost to rent a bicycle, it is actually more expensive to stay here than Relais Marama. I would not recommend camping here because of it’s condition, lack of amenities and distance away from town.

Biking Fakarava
Biking to find Camping Tekopa Village
Biking Fakarava
Sunny cycles

My Experience

I spent 10 days camping and backpacking Fakarava. I enjoyed every single one of those days. Fakarava was what I was looking for when I was backpacking the Society Island archipelago, a nice campground, decent beach, easy to bike around and top notch snorkeling. If Fakarava had mountains I probably would never leave. But even without mountains this island was a paradise.

Backpacking Fakarava
Enjoying the water by town

Every morning I awoke to watch the sunrise before grabbing one of the campground’s bikes to ride a short distance down the road to snorkel. With the UNESCO biosphere snorkeling here is near perfect and unlike the Society Islands on Fakarava you can snorkel almost anywhere on the island, just pick a spot and hop in!

Snorkeling Fakarava
Best snorkeling in all of French Polynesia
Biking Fakarava
Cycling around the atoll

After my morning snorkel I would eat breakfast before relaxing in the hammock. Then it was time to grab lunch with Emma and we would head to the beach, snorkel or take the bikes on a little explore for the afternoon. Night came early with dinner at dusk. With dinner everyone staying at Relais Marama would gather and hang out before bed.

Fakarava beach
Opened her first coconut!
Biking Fakarava
Off road biking

Final Thoughts

Fakarava was my favorite island in all of French Polynesia, I only wished I wasn’t still hurt from the Cook Islands so I could have experienced the once in a lifetime diving but fingers crossed that one day I get the opportunity to go back.

Where has been your favorite island while traveling? Let me know in the comments below. Make sure to check out the Destination French Polynesia page to read about my whole experience and learn great backpacking tips for this remote area!

Backpacking Fakarava French Polynesia
Feeling free in Fakarava

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6 Responses

    1. Hello Maria! So sorry for the late message, I did not see it until now. I believe Tekopa Village does have internet, when I visited it there was a guy on a laptop, but in general the internet on Fakarava is not good at all. So don’t be surprised if it does not work. At Relais Marama I could only get a decent connection early in the morning, and that was only enough to look at messages or a small webpage.

      Enjoy your trip and if you have any other questions please feel free to ask!!
      -Sheridan

  1. I went diving with Kainee Plongee last year and can definitely recommend them! And the sharks – WHOA! AMAZING! I’m going back this year to camp and dive some more. I didn’t know anything about the campsites – so your website was super helpful! Thank you!

    1. Awesome the shark wall is incredible! I’m envious that you are going back, can I come with haha. And yeah Relais Marama is such a nice place to camp and hangout! Happy Travels!

  2. Hello, thanks for all the information. i have two questions:
    1) is the tant included or do you have to bring your own?
    2) how expensive is food (restaurants and store)?
    Thanks

    1. Hey Dominic! You have to bring your own tent for camping, I was backpacking with one so it was okay with me and food is slightly expensive because it’s expensive in all of French Polynesia, island life, but there is a kitchen and you can save by doing groceries! Have fun, and let me know if you go!

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Sheridan

Sheridan

Sheridan is a full-time adventure seeker, professional photographer, and creator of Outsidevibes. Having a serious case of wanderlust Sheridan has traveled extensively around the world. He has overcome multiple, serious injuries from traveling but he is determined to continue experiencing life to the fullest.
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Hey, I'm Sheridan.

I’m a full-time adventure photographer, coffee creator, van builder, and writer!

Welcome to Outsidevibes, the BEST resource for all things travel, outdoor, hiking, backpacking, and nature-related. As an adventure person, I aim to share honest information, passionate stories and promote positive inspiration for those who love travel and the outdoors.

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