Aratika West Pass Moorings

15° 29.3′ S · 145° 34.3′ W

Two big yellow public moorings tucked just inside Aratika's narrow west pass (Tamaketa), behind a patch of reef that knocks down the lagoon chop. A quiet, rarely visited base for the pass snorkel.

Tuamotus Marquesas

Practical

Position from Hoodoo (Nov 2020): 2 large yellow moorings just inside the pass, marked 'max capacity 18 meters'. They dove on the line and found it good, and lay comfortably for several days in 15-20 kt easterlies; the reef cuts the chop. Ari B (Dec 2020) found all Aratika moorings new and sturdy, and was told the mayor prefers boats to use them. They are free (no fee reported) but unmaintained, so dive and inspect yours. Anchoring nearby is poor: 50-75 ft with coral all round. A small sandy patch north of the pass in about 50 ft needs floated chain. Snorkel the reef and topography around the pass and anchorage on the incoming tide for clear water (Hoodoo). For leaving at first light, Ocean Crusaders (2016) anchored a couple of miles inside from the pass overnight. Aratika has no power grid, no fuel and only weak 2G Vini coverage (2020).

Aratika West Pass Moorings

Practical

Best for

Season

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