Snorkel· Nuku Hiva· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Hakapaa and Hakapuvai Coral Snorkel (Controleur Bay)
8° 53.7′ S · 140° 3.1′ W · approximate
The two western lobes of Controleur Bay are edged with coral reefs running off both shores, giving rare Marquesan coral snorkelling right from a quiet anchorage.
Practical
Position approx: plotted at Jacaranda's Hakapaa anchoring position (08°53.70'S 140°03.14'W, compendium 2015); the reefs run off the east and west sides of the lobe. Kandu (2016): 'snorkeling over coral in both bays'; Hakapuvai, the western lobe, has a shell beach. Water is often murky (Jacaranda 2015), so go on a clear, calm day and at low water to see the reef edges. Only comfortable with no swell running; no-nos can reach the boat. No fishing reported as safe here: the Marquesas have widespread ciguatera.
Best for
Coral snorkelling from the Controleur anchorages
Season
Best in N swell periods, when this SE-facing bay is calm
Nearby
- Hakapaa Lobe Anchorage (Controleur Bay)Right here
- Hakapuvai Shell Beach (Controleur Bay)Right here
- Controleur Bay (Taipivai, Nuku Hiva)0.9 NM away
- Controleur Bay Night Bioluminescence and Mantas0.9 NM away
- Taipivai Landing Beach (Hakahaa)1.1 NM away
- Anatine's Taipivai Village Activities1.3 NM away
- Taipivai Village Snack1.3 NM away
- Hooumi Seed-Jewelry Artisans1.4 NM away