Anchorage· Raivavae· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Hotuatua Anchorage (Raivavae)
23° 51.5′ S · 147° 37.0′ W
A protected sand pocket among coral heads next to Ile Hotuatua, the islet off Raivavae's eastern cape, and the place to hide from unusual westerlies.
Practical
Pitufa: 23°51.543'S 147°36.983'W in 5.5 m with a buoyed chain (Nov 2018). Chugach: 23°51.565'S 147°36.962'W, 200 m S of Ile Hotuatua in 5.5 m sand with occasional gentle bommies, fine in 20 kn N wind (Aug 2020). Approach: inside the islet you cross a reef-strewn sandbank with only 2-3 m, so go outside Ile Hotuatua through the narrow 5 m 'gate' between two coral heads (see 'Raivavae Hotuatua Gate'). The way around the islet is at least 5 m deep. NOTE: lagoon anchoring away from Rairua was reportedly banned by 2022; confirm with the gendarmerie.
Best for
Shelter in W or N winds (if permitted)
Season
W-N winds
Nearby
- Clarisse's Tifaifai (Raivavae)0.6 NM away
- Pension Vaimano Table (Vaiuru, Raivavae)0.6 NM away
- Anatonu Anchorage (Raivavae)0.9 NM away
- Raivavae Private Motus (ask permission)1 NM away
- Roulotte Tapurani (Vaiuru, Raivavae)1.1 NM away
- Teri the Sculptor (Anatonu)1.2 NM away
- Motu Piscine (Motu Vaiamanu, Raivavae)1.4 NM away
- Motu Vaiamanu Beach (Motu Piscine, Raivavae)1.4 NM away