Wildlife· Nuku Hiva· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Controleur Bay Night Bioluminescence and Mantas
8° 52.9′ S · 140° 2.7′ W
With few houses and almost no lights, the plankton-rich water of Controleur Bay glows at night: fish leave streaks like shooting stars and passing manta rays light up in silhouette.
Practical
Coordinate is the central Hakahaa lobe anchorage (Sugar Shack, Dec 2019: 08°52.92'S 140°02.74'W, compendium). Sea-Seek (2024) describes the phosphorescence and night mantas in Taipivai/Controleur Bay as a fascinating spectacle. Best on a moonless night: switch off deck lights and watch from the cockpit. The official brief (2023) bans lights under the boat at night, so don't use underwater lights to attract them.
Best for
A magical evening at anchor
Season
Year-round; darkest around new moon
Nearby
- Controleur Bay (Taipivai, Nuku Hiva)Right here
- Taipivai Landing Beach (Hakahaa)0.6 NM away
- Hakapuvai Shell Beach (Controleur Bay)0.8 NM away
- Anatine's Taipivai Village Activities0.9 NM away
- Hakapaa and Hakapuvai Coral Snorkel (Controleur Bay)0.9 NM away
- Hakapaa Lobe Anchorage (Controleur Bay)0.9 NM away
- Hooumi Seed-Jewelry Artisans0.9 NM away
- Taipivai Village Snack0.9 NM away