Snorkel· Raivavae· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Motu Piscine (Motu Vaiamanu, Raivavae)
23° 52.9′ S · 147° 37.4′ W
Raivavae's postcard: a chain of white-sand islets on the southern barrier reef enclosing a turquoise 'lagoon within a lagoon', about 2 km of pristine beach around a warm natural pool.
Practical
Pitufa's anchorage waypoint: 23°52.924'S 147°37.389'W in 6-7 m among many bommies, chain floated with fenders (Nov 2018). Chugach: 23°52.667'S 147°37.464'W in 7 m with floated chain, OK in NNW wind (Aug 2020). The southern lagoon is only 5-10 m with steep coral heads, so transit at midday in sun with a bow lookout. Locals have objected to crowds of yachts here: in Dec 2020, 11 boats were asked to leave by a group claiming to speak for the island, and anchoring here is now reportedly restricted (Pitufa 2022). Elma (Jan 2024) was told they could visit, so ask the gendarmerie/mairie, or go with a pension's boat trip (picnics, sometimes fish grilled on a wood fire). Snorkelling: few big fish except in the main pass; coral not outstanding; ciguatera present, so do not eat lagoon fish without local advice. Eco-friendly sunscreen; take water.
Best for
White-sand picnic and swim
Season
Sunny, settled days; noon light for the approach
Nearby
- Motu Vaiamanu Beach (Motu Piscine, Raivavae)0.1 NM away
- Raivavae Private Motus (ask permission)0.5 NM away
- Vaiuru Bay Anchorage (Raivavae)1.1 NM away
- Roulotte Tapurani (Vaiuru, Raivavae)1.2 NM away
- Clarisse's Tifaifai (Raivavae)1.3 NM away
- Pension Vaimano Table (Vaiuru, Raivavae)1.3 NM away
- Hotuatua Anchorage (Raivavae)1.4 NM away
- Raivavae Fuel and Water1.6 NM away