Beach· Nuku Hiva· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Hakapuvai Shell Beach (Controleur Bay)
8° 53.7′ S · 140° 3.1′ W · approximate
The westernmost lobe of Controleur Bay ends in a wild beach known for shells, one of the Survivor: Marquesas filming locations, with pigs roaming nearby and a short waterfall walk.
Practical
Position approx: plotted at the OpenStreetMap 'Hakapuvai' bay node (OSM labels the lobes slightly differently from cruisers; Kandu calls the starboard, more easterly lobe Hakapaa and the western one Hakapuvai). Jacaranda (2015) came to the Hakapaa/west lobe because 'the shelling was supposed to be good'. Kandu (2016): Hakapuvai 'has a beach of shells', and Hakapaa has a pretty, easy waterfall walk at the back. Reefs run off both shores, so land carefully. Take only photos: collect nothing on Marquesan heritage land without asking.
Best for
Beachcombing and a quiet landing
Season
Only when no swell is running
Nearby
- Hakapaa and Hakapuvai Coral Snorkel (Controleur Bay)Right here
- Hakapaa Lobe Anchorage (Controleur Bay)Right here
- Controleur Bay (Taipivai, Nuku Hiva)0.8 NM away
- Controleur Bay Night Bioluminescence and Mantas0.8 NM away
- Taipivai Landing Beach (Hakahaa)1.1 NM away
- Anatine's Taipivai Village Activities1.3 NM away
- Magasin Kahei (Taipivai)1.3 NM away
- Taipivai Village Snack1.3 NM away