Snorkel· Ua Huka· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Haavei Bay Snorkel and Mantas
8° 56.8′ S · 139° 35.7′ W · approximate
When the water is clear, the snorkelling inside Haavei Bay and out by the two Bird Islands is excellent, and manta rays are often around.
Practical
Coordinate approximate: towards the bay mouth, south of the Chugach anchorage waypoint. Migration (Feb 2024) reported excellent snorkelling and frequent mantas. Jacaranda (Oct 2015) found the east wall murky and surgy, so it depends on swell. It is a no-fishing zone: look, don't take. A charter itinerary (Y.CO) describes mantas, turtles and sharks around the Teuaua and Hemeni islets just south of the bay; see the Bird Islands dive entry.
Best for
Snorkelling with mantas
Nearby
- Haavei Bay (Ua Huka)0.1 NM away
- Ua Huka Bird Islands (Teuaua and Hemeni)0.5 NM away
- Bird Islands Manta Dive (Teuaua and Hemeni, Ua Huka)0.6 NM away
- Haavei to Vaipaee Walk0.9 NM away
- Hatuana Bay (Ua Huka)1.2 NM away
- Vaipaee Bay Anchorage (Baie Invisible, Ua Huka)1.3 NM away
- Magasin Brown Areni (Vaipaee)1.4 NM away
- Ua Huka Fuel (Truck to the Vaipaee Quay)1.4 NM away