Seasonal· Tubuai· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Australs Subtropical Winter Fronts
23° 22.2′ S · 149° 28.8′ W · approximate
The Australs sit on the Tropic of Capricorn, where a convergence zone of troughs, lows and fronts crosses the islands every 7-10 days and winter gets genuinely cold.
Practical
Coordinate is the centre of the group (Tubuai). Pitufa: Rurutu in October had nights of 17-18 °C and days of 22-24 °C; Rapa drops to about 10 °C in winter. From southern autumn, frequent depressions pass to the south, sending high swell and strong winds north. Ahead of a front the wind backs N-NW, which is exactly the direction that ruins Rurutu (NE-open harbour), Tubuai (open north side) and Raivavae's Rairua anchorage, so plan your shelter before each front. December-March is the wettest period. Forecasts: Météo-France Polynésie marine bulletin (Saildocs 'send fr.poly.en'), isobar charts ('send pf.preiso36'), and Bob McDavitt's weekly Weathergram for SPCZ activity. Best cruising windows per Pitufa: October-November (cool, settled spring, cyclone season just beginning).
Best for
Timing passages and anchorages around fronts
Season
Fronts all year, strongest Apr-Sep; nights cold Jun-Oct