THE MOST AMAZING ATOLLS IN THE WORLD

TAKAPOTO, FRENCH POLYNESIA

Measuring 20 km by 7 km (12 mi by 4 mi), Takapoto is an atoll

found in the Tuamoto atoll group in French Polynesia. Discovered

by a Dutch mariner Jacob Le Maire in 1616, the atoll is now

home to about 380 people.

AITUTAKI, COOK ISLANDS

Populated by approximately 2,000 people, Aitutaki is the second

most visited island of the Cook Islands. Spared from mass tourism,

the atoll is famous for its turquoise central lagoon and

picturesque palm-fringed beaches.

ULITHI, CAROLINE ISLANDS

A part of the Federated States of Micronesia, Ulithi is an atoll

consisting of 40 islets surrounding one of the largest lagoons

in the world. The atoll was a major staging area for the U.S. Navy

in the WWII. Several sunken warships still rest at the bottom

of the lagoon.

TUBBATAHA, PHILIPPINES

Located in the middle of Sulu Sea, Tubbataha is a marine and

bird sanctuary consisting of two large atolls – North Atoll and

South Atoll. The protected area boasts remarkable biodiversity

containing 75% of described coral species and 40% of

world’s reef fish.

TARAWA, KIRIBATI

Tarawa is an atoll and the capital of the Republic of Kiribati in the

central Pacific Ocean. Home to almost 60,000 people, the atoll

has a wide reef abundant in fish and a large lagoon spanning

over 500 sq. km (200 sq. mi).

TIKEHAU, FRENCH POLYNESIA

Located 340 km (210 mi) northeast of Tahiti in the Tuamotu Islands,

Tikehau is an oval-shaped atoll and a touristic destination popular

for its pink sand beaches fringed with coconut palms and

stunning marine fauna and flora.

MAAFUSHI, MALDIVES

Part of the Kaafu Atoll, Maafushi is one of the inhabited islands of the

Maldives. The atoll was heavily damaged by a tsunami in 2004 but

it quickly recovered. These days, Maafushi boasts a thriving local

economy based on fishing and tourism.

ST. FRANCOIS ATOLL, SEYCHELLES

Consisting of two islands St. François and Bijoutier Island, St. Francois

Atoll is an uninhabited atoll in the western Indian Ocean. The atoll

is home to numerous bird species including black-naped tern,

whimbrel, ruddy turnstone, grey plover etc.

RANGIROA, FRENCH POLYNESIA

One of the largest atolls in the world, Rangiroa consists of about

415 tiny islets and sandbars comprising a total land area of about

170 sq. km (65 sq. mi). In the centre of the atoll, there is a

large lagoon where black pearl oysters are bred.