Seasonal· Nuku Hiva· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Marquesas Cyclone-Season Refuge (Taiohae)
8° 55.2′ S · 140° 6.2′ W · approximate
The Marquesas lie outside the South Pacific cyclone belt, so many boats spend the November-April cyclone season here, with Taiohae as the base for services, caretaking and flights.
Practical
Position approx: plotted at the Taiohae Bay anchorage. Pitufa: the northernmost group of French Polynesia lies outside the cyclone belt; the area overview cites Cruising World calling the Marquesas the only area of French Polynesia never affected. Off-season (Nov-Mar) is also when the Marquesas are drier and no-nos less bothersome, and when Pitufa suggests arriving, before the Puddle Jump fleet. If leaving a boat on anchor for months, budget for chain: Taiohae's water has eaten chains left 6 months (2019), and there is no galvanizing in French Polynesia; Nuku Hiva Yacht Services offers caretaking. Visa rules (90 of 180 days for most non-EU crews) usually decide how long you can stay.
Best for
Planning a safe cyclone season in French Polynesia
Season
November to April
Nearby
- Marquesas Puddle Jump Arrival SeasonRight here
- No-No Sand Flies (Nuku Hiva Beaches)Right here
- Nuku Hiva Anchorage Quotas and Boater RulesRight here
- Southern Winter Swell (Nuku Hiva South Coast)Right here
- Taiohae Bay Anchorage (Nuku Hiva)Right here
- Taiohae Bay Manta RaysRight here
- Keikahanui Pearl Lodge (Taiohae)0.3 NM away
- Mokai Bar Happy Hour (Le Nuku Hiva by Pearl Resorts)0.3 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).