Anchorage· Taravai· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs

Agakauitai Bay Anchorage (Taravai South)

23° 9.6′ S · 135° 2.3′ W

An uncharted bay between Taravai's south shore and Agakauitai island, ringed by reefs and dramatic cliffs. It offers good holding in sand and mud, near all-round protection and Edouard and Denise's self-sufficient homestead ashore.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Coordinate from Pitufa (2015). Chugach anchored in 15 m of sand at 23 deg 09.6218'S 135 deg 02.2962'W (2019). Sugar Shack sat out a 5-day easterly storm at 23 deg 09.672'S 135 deg 02.348'W in 16 m with 70 m of chain. The area is uncharted, so use satellite imagery and good light. Approach from the south to waypoint 23 deg 10.108'S 135 deg 02.581'W, midway between the SE corner of the southern island and the offshore rock (waves can break on both sides in big swell). Then steer straight for the white house ashore at 23 deg 09.349'S 135 deg 02.273'W. A large reef lies to port in mid-bay, with one patch of about 4 m on the way in. Soggy Paws also entered from the west around 23 deg 09.72'S 135 deg 03.62'W. With a good track, depths never dropped below 6 m, and Chugach called it the only Gambier anchorage he would enter at night. The bay is protected from all sides but SW, where chop builds. It is NOT safe in W-NW winds, and northerly gusts reach 50 kn (Pitufa). The winter sun sits in the north, making the southern approach harder to read. Edouard and Denise (French only) sell fruit and vegetables, offer water, keep a garden light on at night as a bearing and know which fish locals eat.

Best for

Riding out strong easterlies; snorkeling with sharks and groupers

Season

Excellent in E-SE; leave before W-NW winds

Nearby