Public domain (NASA), Wikimedia CommonsLandmark· Raroia· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Kon-Tiki Motu and Monument (Raroia)
16° 3.9′ S · 142° 21.5′ W
The palm-topped islet, barely an acre, where the six-man Kon-Tiki crew struggled ashore on August 7, 1947 after 101 days adrift from Peru. A small plaque, a couple of beams propped in front and Norwegian flags in the trees mark the spot.
Practical
Monument waypoint 16°03.87S / 142°21.546W (inland on the island); the raft's purported reef position is 16°03.87S / 142°21.56W (Soggy Paws, 2010). Land by dinghy on the lagoon side. La Cigale (Multihulls World, 2018) describes the small plaque in the middle, a couple of raft beams and Norwegian flags, with fairy terns circling overhead. A monument dedication was held in 2007 (Soggy Paws). It is a favorite beach-BBQ spot: take all trash away and keep fires below the high-water line. Background: the raft struck the reef and the crew spent several days alone on an uninhabited islet before villagers came by canoe (Wikipedia).
Best for
History buffs and sunset bonfires
Nearby
- Kon-Tiki Anchorage (Raroia)0.1 NM away
- Kon-Tiki Landing Beach (Raroia)0.1 NM away
- Raroia Kite Beach (south of Kon-Tiki Motu)0.1 NM away
- Raroia Coral Garden Snorkel (near Kon-Tiki Motu)0.2 NM away
- Raroia Lagoon Sharks, Rays and Octopus0.2 NM away
- Three Palm Island Anchorage (Raroia)0.4 NM away
- Raroia Pearl Farm1.2 NM away
- Southeast Lagoon Anchorages (Raroia)2.6 NM away