Wildlife· Kouaku· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Kouaku Island
23° 12.4′ S · 134° 51.4′ W
A wild, surf-battered motu, the only land on the submerged SE barrier reef, with seabird colonies and superb coral healthy down to 15-20 m.
Practical
Coordinate from Pitufa (Feb 2020): a sandy spot surrounded by shallow reefs, chain floated, on a calm summer day; the nearby breakers are unnerving. Sugar Shack anchored at 23 deg 12.406'S 134 deg 51.460'W in 7 m of sand between large coral heads in a southerly wind (April 2020). Southerly swell rolls in with big surf, so visit only in calm weather. Birds nest ashore: keep visits short, and no kitesurfing or beach bonfires, which drive off the parents and can kill the chicks. Never drop anchor blind in deep water here.
Best for
Seabirds and pristine coral in calm summer weather
Season
Calm summer days only
Nearby
- Tekava Motu (day stop)2.6 NM away
- Akamaru Eastern Beach Walk3.3 NM away
- Our Lady of Peace Church (Akamaru)3.8 NM away
- Akamaru Inner Lagoon (shallow draft)3.9 NM away
- Motu Tauna Anchorage and Bird Colony3.9 NM away
- Mekiro Gap Anchorage (Akamaru West)4 NM away
- Mekiro Islet Summit Hike4 NM away
- Mekiro West Side Snorkel4.1 NM away