Anchorage· Katiu· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs

Katiu Pass Jetty (Pakata Pass)

16° 20.7′ S · 144° 21.2′ W · approximate

A concrete supply-ship jetty halfway through Pakata Pass, where yachts can tie up in less current than the rest of the pass and wait for slack before running the narrow, coral-lined inner channel.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Approximate: Katiu's village (Hitianau, called Toini on English Wikipedia) and pass are on the north rim; the position is derived from the Soggy Paws pass longitude (144°21'W), the north-rim latitude near Katiu Airport (16.3394S / 144.4031W, French Wikipedia) and the commune's 7 km airport-village road. No source gives a waypoint, so confirm on satellite imagery. Eastern Stream (March 2021, Soggy Paws) docked here for several days. The jetty has big fenders for the supply ship and was fine for a yacht, but it cannot be used when the ship (Cobia 3) is alongside. The commune lists the Hitianau quay as 60 m of berthing with 2.80 m draft, in good condition apart from rusty fender chains (2024); this may be the same structure. From the jetty you can watch the current and pick your moment for the second, much tighter half of the pass. Ships in 2024: Cobia 3, Nuku Hau and SXMS 3, plus Maris Stella fuel runs. True Blue (2013) also lay alongside the quay as the only yacht: calm water at the quay while the ebb ran at about 6 kt 50 m away across the channel.

Best for

Breaking a tricky pass into two halves

Nearby