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

Aratika West Pass Snorkel

15° 29.1′ S · 145° 34.8′ W

Snorkel the reef and channel topography of the beaconed west pass (Tamaketa) straight from the moorings.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Coordinate is the west pass in OpenStreetMap; the two moorings are about 0.5 nm inside. Hoodoo (2020) snorkeled around the west pass and anchorage and found lots of small fish and really interesting topography, though the east pass had more fish. Go on the incoming tide for clear water. The pass is only about 25-50 m wide and runs up to 8 kt, so snorkel near slack, stay with the dinghy, and keep clear of the supply ship's track.

Best for

An easy snorkel from the moorings

Nearby