Seasonal· Mangareva· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Gambier Winter Fronts (Jun to Sep)
23° 7.8′ S · 134° 57.0′ W · approximate
From June to September the Gambier gets real winter: a front at least once a week, cold southerly air, 180-degree wind shifts, heavy gusts and water that drops to about 21 deg C.
Practical
approx: the pin is the central lagoon and the entry applies archipelago-wide. The mairie's leaflet gives July-September as the coldest months, with average highs below 22 deg C and lows around 19 deg C. Pitufa saw water fall from 26 deg C in May to 21 deg C by late July. Fronts approach with the wind backing NE-N-NW-W and blowing hard, then turn cold and southerly. Irie saw N gusts of 40-50 kn at Aukena, and Rikitea became chaotic with dragging boats. Weather windows north to the Marquesas or Tuamotus are short, and Pitufa waited weeks to leave in August. Most bays are deep, so anchor with room to swing 360 degrees and move to shelter before each shift (Taravai village or Agakauitai Bay for northerlies). The French forecast (meteo.pf, also in English) is available through saildocs.
Best for
Knowing when not to linger, or how to ride it out
Season
June-September
Nearby
- Gambier Ciguatera Warning (no lagoon fish)Right here
- Gambier Cyclone-Season Summer CruisingRight here
- Rouru Convent Ruins (Rikitea)1 NM away
- Buying Gambier Black Pearls1.2 NM away
- College St Raphael Carving School (Rikitea)1.2 NM away
- King Maputeoa's Tomb (St Pierre Chapel, Rikitea)1.2 NM away
- Rikitea Internet and Vini Coverage1.2 NM away
- Rikitea Mechanics1.2 NM away