Anchorage· Hao· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs

Nake Anchorage (Hao South)

18° 24.9′ S · 140° 40.7′ W

A copra-farming corner at the far southern end of Hao's 50 km lagoon, billed locally as the 'gem of Hao'. One crew found cloudy water and poor mud holding there, so treat the name with caution.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Sugar Shack (June 2020) dropped at 18°24.9057S / 140°40.6987W in 5 m of mud with floats, and also at 18°24.9919S / 140°40.748W in 6.5 m of mud after several tries around bommies. Holding was poor for them and two other boats. The mud smelled foul on the anchor and on the beach, and visibility was very poor. The few copra farmers ashore were lovely. The route south is full of reefs and bommies that are not all charted: keep a bow lookout, especially after the turn. Noonsite (updated July 2025) lists Nake, 'by the pearl farm' at about 18°24'S / 140°40'W, as another good anchorage, which contrasts with the 2020 cruiser report above; judge the water and holding for yourself.

Best for

Adventurous crews exploring the far south of the lagoon

Season

Settled E winds only

Nearby