The PK10.5 marks the end of the dirt road, just on the edge of the phenomenal Garuae Pass. By incoming or outgoing current, the pass gets really rough, with waves that can easily exceed 2m in the middle of the pass.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Fakarava attractions

1. Marae Tahiri Vairau & Beach

0.72 MILES

This partly restored marae built of coral slabs sits in a coconut grove beside a lovely strip of coral sand, about 400m past Plage du PK9. The beach…

2. Plage du PK9

1.06 MILES

A bit of a local’s secret, Plage du PK9 is – you guessed it – 9km west of Rotoava (go past the airport and follow the dirt track towards the northern pass…

3. Ancien Phare de Topaka

4.78 MILES

This photogenic 15m-tall grey turret (dating from 1957) looks as if it’s on loan from a medieval castle. The lighthouse is no longer in operation. To get…

4. Lagon Bleu (Motu Tehatea)

7.12 MILES

Simply divine. Near the northwestern corner of Fakarava, Lagon Bleu features an indescribably lovely stretch of white-sand coral beach, turquoise-blue…