Landmark· Makatea· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Makatea Phosphate Mine Ruins
15° 49.5′ S · 148° 16.5′ W
The rusting remains of the phosphate industry that ran from 1917 until the mid-1960s, when some 3,000 workers lived here: loading-pier pillars, tanks, machinery, French Polynesia's only railway and thousands of hand-dug pits.
Practical
Coordinate is the 'vestiges industriels' at Temao by the old port (OpenStreetMap); more ruins lie inland (around 15.8317S 148.2483W). Sources give the end of mining as 1962-1966. From the dock walk up the hill and turn right for the old machinery; continue through the village to the deep phosphate holes. The deepest pit, under the old windmill, is about 80 m and reaches the water table. Wear sturdy shoes: makatea coral rock is razor-sharp, and pits are unfenced.
Best for
Industrial history in the jungle
Nearby
- Makatea Mooring Reef Snorkel0.2 NM away
- Makatea Moorings (Temao)0.2 NM away
- Temao Boat Basin Dinghy Landing (Makatea)0.2 NM away
- Magasin Louela (Makatea)0.6 NM away
- Makatea Guided Island Tour0.6 NM away
- Vaitepaua Village (Makatea)0.6 NM away
- Makatea Mairie Mooring Contact0.7 NM away
- Makatea Post Office (OPT)0.7 NM away