Landmark· Hikueru· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Hikueru Atoll (artificial boat pass only)
17° 35.3′ S · 142° 37.0′ W
A pearl-diving atoll of legend, made famous by Jack London's South Sea Tales, with about 125 people in the village of Tupapati. It has no natural pass: only a narrow artificial boat channel, so it is not a yacht destination.
Practical
Coordinates are the atoll center (English Wikipedia, 17°35'20"S / 142°37'W), about 115 km south of Makemo. Access: the commune lists one 'open' pass that is artificial ('passe artificielle'), plus a small dock basin (darse) and a marina at the village for local boats (commune sheet, July 2024); French Wikipedia says the atoll was long inaccessible because of the narrow artificial pass and a tricky ocean approach. The ocean-side landing at Tupapati is 20 m long with only 1 m of water. No cruiser report of a yacht entering exists in the sources consulted: treat Hikueru as not yacht-accessible and pass well clear, especially at night. The lagoon is deep with many coral heads. The 1903 cyclone killed 377 people here. 2024: 4 magasins, 1 snack, 3 small pensions, airport (HHZ) with one weekly flight, health post +689 40 969 136.
Best for
A landmark and a story; not a yacht stop