Landmark· Mataiva· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Mataiva Atoll (no yacht anchorage)
14° 53.0′ S · 148° 40.3′ W
The westernmost NW Tuamotu atoll, famous for a lagoon divided into about 70 basins by coral ridges (the 'nine eyes'), with the village of Pahua and a 110 m bridge over its tiny pass. Beautiful by air, but not a yachting destination.
Practical
Coordinate is the centre of the Mataiva atoll polygon in OpenStreetMap (way 1389931522); see the separate Pahua Village, Pahua Pass, lagoon pools, airport and marae entries. The single pass at Pahua is only a few feet deep and not navigable, and the Tuamotus Compendium lists Mataiva (Matahiva) as 'No Anchorage Possible'. Visit by air: Mataiva Airport (MVT) has Air Tahiti flights to Papeete. Population 280 (2012). Pass well off the reef when sailing between Tikehau and the Societies.
Best for
Admiring from the air, or flying in from Rangiroa or Papeete
Nearby
- Mataiva Lagoon Pools (the 70 basins)0.3 NM away
- Mataiva Plongee (dive centre)0.5 NM away
- Mataiva Bird Motu1 NM away
- Marae Papiro and Tu Paure's Stone Chair (Mataiva)1.3 NM away
- Ofai Taunoa Turtle Rock (Mataiva)1.4 NM away
- Pahua Pass (Mataiva, not navigable)2.3 NM away
- Pahua Bridge (Mataiva)2.4 NM away
- Mataiva Airport (MVT)2.5 NM away