Anchorage· Ua Huka· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs

Haavei Bay (Ua Huka)

8° 56.6′ S · 139° 35.7′ W

A small sandy bay on Ua Huka's SW corner, sheltered by the two Bird Islands to the south. It is often the better-protected choice when Vaipaee rolls, and it is good for snorkelling, mantas and a sunset view of Ua Pou.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Chugach (Apr 2019): 08°56.6468'S / 139°35.7324'W in 11 m, sand, not rock as reported elsewhere. They sheltered here 3 nights in stronger ESE-SE winds; a bit rolly, but the 2 islands to the south cut the swell. Jacaranda (Oct 2015) anchored nearby in 23 ft. Diving on the anchor showed sandy patches among sand-covered rock pan, so back down hard. The wind wraps round and blows onto the beach by day and goes offshore at night. Another cruiser reported 35-kt gusts here. When the wind dies you lie beam-on to the swell, so a flopper stopper helps. Migration (Feb 2024): easy anchoring, sometimes rolly. Landing is through surf onto the beach. A few houses ashore are not permanently lived in. A walk over the hill reaches Vaipaee in about 1-1.5 hours. 2G internet (SY Maya). Chugach found nearby Baie Matau too rolly on the first day. The south-coast fishing ban covers the Bird Islands (separate entry).

Best for

Swell shelter in ESE-SE wind; snorkelling and mantas

Season

Better than Vaipaee in ESE-SE; best in NE conditions

Nearby