Snorkel· Ua Huka· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Manihina Cove Snorkel (Ua Huka)
8° 56.6′ S · 139° 33.9′ W · approximate
The boulder-and-grey-sand cove below Ua Huka's airstrip holds the island's best shore snorkelling, sheltered between a cliff and a basalt spur. Wikipedia calls Manihina's white beach the island's most beautiful and a good snorkelling spot.
Practical
Coordinate approximate: in the water just off the Manihina cove label (OpenStreetMap node 3207827271), about 0.6 nm east of the Vaipaee entrance. English Wikipedia: Manihina has the island's most beautiful white beach and is a good spot for snorkelling. Lonely Planet: near the airfield, reached by a dirt track; mostly large pebbles with light grey sand patches; sheltered by cliffs on one side and a basalt spur on the other; excellent freediving; nono (biting sand flies) can spoil it, so bring repellent. From Vaipaee, walk or drive the airport road rather than landing a dinghy on an exposed boulder beach. Enter only in calm conditions. Check the fishing-restriction entry: the south coast from Motu Papa east to Hane is a no-fishing zone.
Best for
Shore snorkelling on a calm day
Season
Calm conditions only; exposed to S-SE swell
Nearby
- Manihina Beach (Ua Huka)0.1 NM away
- Ua Huka Fuel (Truck to the Vaipaee Quay)0.4 NM away
- Ua Huka South-Swell Season0.4 NM away
- Vaipaee Quay Water Tap0.4 NM away
- Vaipaee Bay Anchorage (Baie Invisible, Ua Huka)0.5 NM away
- Vaipaee Community Hall Saturday Lunch0.5 NM away
- Ua Huka Airport (UAH)0.7 NM away
- Ua Huka Fishing Restriction Zone0.8 NM away