Beach· Hiva Oa· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Hanamenu Beach and Anse Tanaeka (Hiva Oa)
9° 46.0′ S · 139° 8.4′ W · approximate
A black-sand and pebble beach at the head of road-less Hanamenu Bay, backed by palms, a spring pool and a long dry valley. The tourism office's pick is the small beach next door in Anse Tanaeka, past a statue of the Virgin, which also has the bay's snorkelling.
Practical
Approximate position: head of Hanamenu Bay, derived from the 2026 brief's chart (beach about 150 m south of the ZMR's southern edge, 09°45.89'S) and the OpenStreetMap/Nominatim hamlet node (9.7692°S 139.1396°W). Anse Tanaeka lies west of Pointe Matahau, roughly 9°45.76'S 139°08.59'W by the same chart (approximate); the brief marks a snorkel symbol there and recommends the 'lovely beach and snorkeling in the Tanaeka Valley - pass by the statue of the Virgin to say hello'. Landing: surf landing on the beach; cruisers found it difficult (2019) and the bay rolly with murky water, so go in small swell and be ready to carry the dinghy up. A small hamlet of a few houses, busier at weekends; no shop, no internet or phone coverage. Ask permission before swimming in the spring or visiting the waterfall; archaeological digging is strictly prohibited; take all rubbish away.
Best for
Wild beach and snorkel in a road-less bay
Season
Best in settled E-SE trades with no N swell
Nearby
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).