Anchorage· Mohotani· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Mohotani Anchorage (Motane)
9° 57.2′ S · 138° 50.2′ W
An uninhabited, goat-scoured island between Hiva Oa and Fatu Hiva with clear water, big fish and sharks. It is a protected nature reserve, so this is a deep, tricky lunch-stop anchorage at most.
Practical
Cruiser position in Baie de Puioono: 9°57.2049'S 138°50.1878'W, 20 m sand, slightly NNW of the CM93 anchor symbol, which sits on rock in 17 m (April 2019). To the NW there is more sand but it deepens quickly; about 50 m SW toward Pointe Putoo it turns to rock and coral. One crew buoyed the chain with fenders, Tuamotu-style, and let out 100 m. A 9 m sand patch close in is too close to shore. Charts are largely unsurveyed (CM93). 'Challenging' anchoring on two visits (2009, 2023). Interesting snorkelling with big fish and sharks (2019). See the separate entry on reserve rules: cruisers were told in 2023 the island is off-limits. Stay aboard, do not land, and leave in any doubt.
Best for
Wild offshore stop between Tahuata and Fatu Hiva in settled weather
Season
Settled trades only
Nearby
- Mohotani Nature Reserve Rules1.9 NM away
- Me'ae Iipona Tiki Site (Puamau, Hiva Oa)11.3 NM away
- Restaurant Marie-Antoinette (Puamau)11.4 NM away
- Puamau Beach (Hiva Oa)11.7 NM away
- Puamau Bay (Hiva Oa)11.8 NM away
- Puamau Underwater Paepae Snorkel (Hiva Oa)11.8 NM away
- Snack Therese (Puamau)11.8 NM away
- Nahoe Anchorage (Hiva Oa)13.9 NM away