Snorkel· Tahuata· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Hanamoenoa Snorkel and Mantas
9° 54.3′ S · 139° 6.3′ W · approximate
Manta rays cruise Hanamoenoa Bay by day. Cruisers have snorkelled with them for 45 minutes at a time, and the rocks on the north side hide cowries and reef fish.
Practical
Approximate position: the rocks and small reef on the north side of the bay (cruiser descriptions plus the OpenStreetMap coastline). Noonsite reports resident mantas. In late May 2022 a cruiser had mantas around them for 45 minutes. Visibility varies, and surge on the north rocks is strong with spiny urchins (2010); one 2019 crew found the north side unremarkable. Do not light the water to attract mantas at night: the 2026 brief asks for no underwater lighting under the boat. Keep a respectful distance and never touch the rays.
Best for
Swimming with mantas from the boat
Nearby
- Hanamoenoa Bay (Tahuata)0.1 NM away
- Hanamoenoa White Sand Beach (Tahuata)0.2 NM away
- Ivaiva Nui and Ivaiva Iti Anchorages (Tahuata)0.4 NM away
- Kokuu Cove (Tahuata)0.5 NM away
- Hanameneni Bay (Tahuata)1.5 NM away
- Vaitahu Cross Hike1.7 NM away
- Chez Jimmy (Vaitahu)1.9 NM away
- Magasin Sarl Raihauti (Vaitahu)1.9 NM away