Tikehau, where exotic fish out number people!

Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort

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Tikehau is the very definition of peace, quiet, and breath taking beauty. Settled upon a simple ring of glistening pink sand, within the Tuamotu Archipelago, this remote collection of palm-studded islands offers a great deal more than what may at first meet the eye. Tikehau has actually been designated by the Jacques Cousteau research group as having the highest concentration of fish in its archipelago; meanwhile, the people in this ultra-remote region of the Pacific are the friendliest you may ever meet.

When you hear them literally sing "Ia Orana," or hello, you'll realise that the true vocal traditions of French Polynesia are still alive in this breezy outpost. When you are rejuvenated by the genuine smiles of the locals and resort staff, you'll feel somehow lighter. Diving and snorkelling are, of course, heavenly experiences in the perfect lagoon of Tikehau , but to get a great view of the local aquatic fauna, all you have to do is throw a scrap of bread in the water. Hundreds of colourful fish will converge upon the treat, and you'll enjoy a kaleidoscopic show not soon forgotten. Incredibly, a practically tame octopus is known by locals and easily spotted from a lagoon-side trail. It seems to enjoy the presence of Tikehau's visitors just as much as the locals do.

On Tikehau, take a pleasant walk through tiny Tuherahera Village, or enjoy an excursion to bird island, were the avian population will amaze you. Beneath the watchful eyes of mature red-footed boobies, Tuamotu sandpipers, bristle-thighed curlews, and white terns, you can readily view nests filled with baby birds, or even watch a fledgling hatch! Animals in Tikehau Atoll—both feathered and aquatic—are so unused to humans that their curiosity about us is just as great as ours about them. Like the people of the region, they are fearless and friendly, excited about inviting you into their unusual worlds and lives.

A romantic Tikehau legend tells of how the spirits of coral and sand got together to adorn oysters with a cloak that included the colours of all the fish in the ocean, and this is how iridescent mother-of-pearl was first made. The startling colours of this fascinating region, especially its rare pink sand, certainly make it seem possible. The unusual sand colour is actually caused by red algae, whose presence is an indicator of a very stable coral reef. This explains the purity of the lagoon's marvellous turquoise waters. Unsullied and unhurried, Tikehau's perfect equanimity and serenity is guaranteed to leave you with a positive outlook and a new spring in your step.