Landmark· Kaukura· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Kaukura Atoll and Raitahiti Village
15° 40.4′ S · 146° 52.5′ W
A long, rarely visited Palliser atoll about 13 nm (24 km) SW of Apataki, 47 km of reef around a 434 km2 lagoon with its only village, Raitahiti, on the big NW motu.
Practical
Position is the OpenStreetMap node for Raitahiti village. NO YACHT PILOTAGE AVAILABLE: French Wikipedia says the lagoon has a single pass on the north side, and the government atoll sheet (July 2024) lists openings at Panau (small boats only), Faape and Raitahiti, but no cruising guide, cruiser report or OpenStreetMap feature in our sources gives the pass position, depth, current or an anchorage. The Tuamotus Compendium (2026 revision) still has only a Charlie's Charts reference (5th ed., pp. 76-77) for Kaukura. Supply ships do not come alongside: the Cobia ties to a big orange buoy off the reef and a barge ferries cargo to the wharf, which islanders say is a balancing act in big swell (Welcome Tahiti). Treat Kaukura as an expedition stop for crews with Charlie's Charts or official charts, local advice and settled weather, otherwise as a no-go. Ashore (2024 sheet): about 466-554 people, 2 shops, 5 snacks, 1 bakery, a nurse-run infirmary, post office (OPT), a marae in the village, the Cobia 3 and Mareva Nui supply ships, and an airstrip on the western motu. The Natitua undersea cable brought internet in Dec 2018. No ATM listed. No dive club or official guide (Welcome Tahiti).
Best for
Off-the-beaten-track Paumotu village
Nearby
- Raitahiti Magasins, Snacks and Bakery (Kaukura)Right here
- Kaukura Infirmary (Raitahiti)0.1 NM away
- Kaukura Mairie and Landing Rules (Raitahiti)0.1 NM away
- Kaukura Supply-Ship Day (Raitahiti)0.1 NM away
- Raitahiti Landing and Supply-Ship Buoy (Kaukura)0.1 NM away
- Raitahiti Post Office (Kaukura)0.1 NM away
- Raitahiti Marae (Kaukura)0.2 NM away
- Kaukura Airport (KKR)0.8 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).