Tiputa Pass is a strait

Strait

A strait or straits is a narrow, typically navigable channel of water that connects two larger, navigable bodies of water. It most commonly refers to a channel of water that lies between two land masses, but it may also refer to a navigable channel through a body of water that is otherwise not...

 in the northwest portion of Rangiroa

Rangiroa

Rangiroa or Te Kokōta , is the largest atoll in the Tuamotus, and one of the largest in the world . It is part of the Palliser group. The nearest atoll is Tikehau, located only 12 km to the West...

 lagoon in the Tuamotu Islands of French Polynesia

French Polynesia

French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...

, joining the lagoon to the open ocean. There are only two such passes in Rangiroa, the second one being Avatoru Pass

Avatoru Pass

Avatoru Pass is located on the northwestern portion of the Rangiroa lagoon in the Tuamotu Islands of French Polynesia. It is located immediately to the West of the village of Avatoru. There are only two major passes on Rangiroa, the other being Tiputa Pass. The latter is located approximately...

. Tiputa Pass separates the villages of Avatoru

Avatoru

Avatoru is the chief town of Rangiroa, a coral atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago.It is located in the northwestern part of the atoll, and is home to the atoll's administration buildings, its post office and several churches. Rangiroa Airport is located 5.5 km Southeast of Avatoru. The atoll's...

 and Tiputa

Tiputa

Tiputa is a village on the French Polynesian atoll of Rangiroa, in the Tuamotu archipelago.It is located on the Northern edge of the atoll, approximately 7 km East-southeast of the village of Avatoru. The two villages are separated by the Tiputa Pass, a world-renowned spot for underwater diving...

.

Scuba diving

Tiputa Pass is a well-known scuba-diving destination. During the austral summer (December to March), great hammerhead sharks

Great hammerhead

The great hammerhead is the largest species of hammerhead shark, family Sphyrnidae, attaining a maximum length of 6.1 m . It is found in tropical and warm temperate waters worldwide, inhabiting coastal areas and the continental shelf...

 and manta rays

Manta ray

The manta ray is the largest species of the rays. The largest known specimen was more than across, with a weight of about . It ranges throughout waters of the world, typically around coral reefs...

are present in the area.