French Polynesia's Tuamotu Islands are located to the northeast of the more populous Society Islands. Fakarava is a large coral atoll often made up of a thin strip of land ringing a large lagoon.  The Tuamotu archipelago's most frequently visited islands are Tikehau, Rangiroa, Manihi and Fakarava. They are a popular destination with scuba divers.

There are six neighboring islands and together these islands make up a UNESCO classified nature reserve for their richness of rare flora and fauna.