Seasonal· Rangiroa· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Maramu Southeast Blows (Rangiroa & Tikehau)
15° 7.5′ S · 147° 38.7′ W · approximate
The maramu, a reinforced SE blow (cruisers in the Tuamotus report 25 kt to over 40 kt) with squalls and rain, reshaping which NW Tuamotu anchorages are tenable and whether the passes have any slack at all.
Practical
Approx: placed at Rangiroa's atoll centre (Wikipedia). Where to hide: Tikehau's Garden of Eden anchorage (a crew rode out a 25+ kt maramu there behind the wooded motu, sheltered NNE-SSE) and Rangiroa's Motu Fama anchorage on the south rim. Avoid: the Kia Ora/Tiputa anchorage gets rolly once the wind is south of east, the Blue Lagoon is untenable, Tikehau's pass and village anchorages pitch, and Makatea's moorings are only for settled conditions. Passes: when wind over 15-20 kt with a S-W component or swell over 1.5 m pushes water over the southern reef, outgoing current strengthens, low slack is delayed or vanishes, and Tiputa Pass (NE-facing) becomes 'very ugly' on the ebb. Wait it out inside.
Best for
Choosing anchorages when the trades reinforce