Anchorage· Motu Puaumu· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Motu Puaumu Anchorage (Gambier NE)
23° 1.1′ S · 134° 55.2′ W
A shallow, sand-and-bommie anchorage off a private palm motu in the far NE corner of the lagoon, with white beaches, hermit crabs and turquoise water.
Practical
Coordinate from Sugar Shack (Jan 2022): 2.5 m of sand with 12 m of scope, clear of bommies in a 360 deg swing, in very light N winds. Pitufa used 23 deg 01.146'S 134 deg 55.294'W in 6 m (N winds) and 23 deg 01.226'S 134 deg 55.147'W in 4.5 m (E-NE winds). Avoid 23 deg 01.068'S 134 deg 55.211'W, where only a dusting of sand covers coral and holding is poor. Sandy spots are small and many heads reach the surface, so float the chain or lay a Bahamian moor. To get here, eyeball-navigate NE from Rikitea to the airport, then NNW along the reef, in good light with a bow lookout. Swell wraps in at high tide in stronger winds. The motu is owned by two Rikitea families who visit to harvest coconuts and camp. Visitors are welcome, but take only what you brought and leave everything as you found it.
Best for
Remote motu anchorage in settled weather
Season
Light winds, little swell
Nearby
- Puaumu to Teapuri Reef Walk0.1 NM away
- One Palm Motu Anchorage (Gambier NE)1.2 NM away
- Motu Vaiatekeue2.3 NM away
- North Totegegie Anchorage3 NM away
- Dada Keck Pearl Farm (Akaputu Bay)3.4 NM away
- Totegegie Airport Anchorage (Gambier)4.3 NM away
- Tokani Airport Shuttle4.4 NM away
- Pointe Mataiutea Queen's Throne4.8 NM away