Photos and Videos

Often overshadowed by sister islands Bora Bora, Tahiti, Moorea and Tetiaroa (aka Brando Island), Rangiroa has long been known to scuba divers for its crystal-clear waters in what is the largest lagoon in French Polynesia. But first, the flying dolphins. When the tide changes, dolphins that live in Rangiroa's Tiputa Pass sometimes shoot 20 feet into the air before arcing down. TW photos by Arnie Weissmann, unless otherwise noted; posted Oct. 24, 2014

Photos & Videos

On the flip side in Rangiroa

Often overshadowed by sister islands Bora Bora, Tahiti, Moorea and Tetiaroa (aka Brando Island), Rangiroa has long been known to scuba divers for its crystal-clear waters in what is the largest lagoon in French Polynesia. But first, the flying dolphins. When the tide changes, dolphins that live in Rangiroa's Tiputa Pass sometimes shoot 20 feet into the air before arcing down. TW photos by Arnie Weissmann, unless otherwise noted; posted Oct. 24, 2014

Often overshadowed by sister islands Bora Bora, Tahiti, Moorea and Tetiaroa (aka Brando Island), Rangiroa has long been known to scuba divers for its crystal-clear waters in what is the largest lagoon in French Polynesia. But first, the flying dolphins. When the tide changes, dolphins that live in Rangiroa's Tiputa Pass sometimes shoot 20 feet into the air before arcing down. TW photos by Arnie Weissmann, unless otherwise noted; posted Oct. 24, 2014

These three didn't get as much height, but seemed to have choreographed their jumps.

Pacific reef heron part 1: Take off...

Pacific reef heron part 2: ...in flight...

Pacific reef heron part 3: ...and touching down.

An island in Blue Lagoon, about an hour by boat from most tourist accommodations are, where day trippers go to picnic, relax, bird-watch and explore a reef.

Walking from the boat to the island through shallow water.

Three great-crested terns watch the arrival of a fourth on a reef in the shallow water between the picnic island and what is locally called "bird island."

White terns on Bird Island.

A visitor photographs baby black tip reef sharks just off-shore from the picnic island.

Much larger black tip reef sharks showed up when the boat stopped for snorkeling at an area known to be frequented by many sharks. (TW photo by Isaac Weissmann)

Several more black tip reef sharks showed up after guests left the waters and guides began feeding them.

A much larger lemon shark also showed up once the feeding began.

On the boat ride back, a manta ray surfaced for a look around.

The cemetery of Avatoru, Rangi's main town.

Mementoes and photos left on a gravesite at the cemetery.

One gravesite for a young girl was shielded from the sun and covered with many articles of remembrance.

At a local park in Avatoru, a javelin thrower fires at a round disc mounted on a pole, 20 yards away.

Two javelin throwers take aim.

A javelin flies just high of the target.

Portrait of a javelin thrower who gave his name as Teinaore. He was a bit concerned when, after typing his name into my iPad, it was spelling-corrected to "tie wore."

Sebastian Thepenier, a Frenchman who is producing 25,000 bottles of "Vin de Rangiroa"-- whites, reds and roses -- from a nearby coral atoll vineyard. The white, he says, is most popular, and has "a kind of minerality found in Sancerre." No wine tours or tasting room, unfortunately.

The overwater bungalows at the Hotel Kia Ora Resort and Spa.

A Rangiroan paddling his outrigger canoe at dusk.

The sunset on the ocean side of Rangi...

...and the sunset on the lagoon side.