Anchorage· Rangiroa· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Les Sables Roses Anchorage (Rangiroa SE lagoon)
15° 16.0′ S · 147° 14.4′ W
Rangiroa's remotest anchorage, tucked among reefs and pink-sand banks at the far south-eastern end of the lagoon about 29 nm from the passes, and on a calm day the stillest water a crew may find in the Tuamotus.
Practical
Position 15°16.040'S 147°14.444'W in 1.3-5 m of sand; the surrounding reefs break the sea from every direction (Be & Be catamaran, 2015). About 29 nm from the Kia Ora anchorage. The final approach crosses fields of coral heads: one crew (Mata'irea, 2011) spent the last hour on the pulpit calling directions and watched several other boats approach and turn back. Go only in settled weather with the sun high or behind you, never at night, and leave before a front brings cloud, because without light you cannot pick a way out through the heads. Boats that do not want the final approach anchor off a nearby motu outside the coral field. The pink sand is made of foraminifera shells; Tahiti Heritage notes the site is being considered for protection, so do not take sand. Tour boats from the villages arrive late morning (about 2 hours each way), so early mornings are quietest. No services at all.
Best for
Settled-weather explorers wanting total solitude
Season
Settled light trades only
Nearby
- Les Sables Roses (Rangiroa)0.1 NM away
- Le Jardin de Corail (Rangiroa)24.4 NM away
- Maramu Southeast Blows (Rangiroa & Tikehau)24.9 NM away
- Motu Fama Anchorage (Rangiroa)27.1 NM away
- Ile aux Recifs (Reef Island, Rangiroa)27.6 NM away
- Tiputa Village Gasoline28.1 NM away
- Tiputa Village28.3 NM away
- L'Eolienne (Tiputa outer reef)28.4 NM away