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

Aratika West Pass Outside Anchorage

15° 29.4′ S · 145° 35.6′ W · approximate

An exposed open-roadstead spot just outside the reef south of the west pass. Only for waiting out the tide in settled weather.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Coordinate approximate: set about 0.5 nm SSW of the Tamaketa pass, off the reef edge; find the 8 m ledge with the sounder. Ocean Crusaders (2016) anchored 'just south of the entrance in 8 m' overnight to wait for 10 am slack. The wind pushed them toward the reef all night with surf audible and visible; they relied on an anchor alarm. Use only in light E-SE trades with no W component and no S swell, with a watch kept. Better: heave to offshore or time your arrival for daylight slack.

Best for

Waiting for slack when you arrive late

Season

Settled light trades only

Nearby