Seasonal· Hao· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Hao Maramu Season
18° 5.9′ S · 140° 54.9′ W · approximate
Reinforced SE trades (maramu), and fronts that swing the wind W-NW, can hit Hao hard in the austral winter. The big lagoon's long fetch and coral-strewn anchorages make it a poor place to ride them out.
Practical
June 2020: a maramu brought 42+ kt, pounding rain, thunder and lightning and a 1 m swell into the old military basin, flooding it by 1-1.5 m. Feb 2019: a low from Tahiti forecast 30-40 kt NW for 3+ days, and a crew left rather than face the basin, which is open to the west with about 5 miles of fetch; winds veered 180 degrees quickly in an earlier 30 kt blow. Watch the forecasts and move early: the airport anchorage gives NW shelter; E-side anchorages suit SE wind. Strong wind also sets up big outgoing currents in Kaki Pass. The position marks the old basin.
Best for
Weather planning
Season
Cruiser reports from February, May and June; a maramu is a reinforced-trade event of the austral winter