Beach· Makemo· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Punaruku Beach (Makemo)
16° 31.0′ S · 143° 49.2′ W · approximate
A long, quiet beach on the north rim inside Makemo's best anchorage, backed by palms and the ruins of the abandoned Punaruku village: a few walls and a graveyard.
Practical
Approximate: placed ashore of the Punaruku anchorage waypoint (16°31.1S / 143°49.3W, Soggy Paws) beside the Punaruku Beach Pearls entry; confirm on satellite imagery. Visions of Johanna (April 2010) noted 'a nice beach along the shore'; Lovesail (June 2015) found the old village deserted, with good snorkeling over the large reef off the beach that also shelters the anchorage, and big hermit crabs everywhere. Land the dinghy on the sand; there are no services. About 10 nm from the west pass and about 20 nm from Pouheva. Respect any copra camps or private land.
Best for
Beach walks, ruins and snorkeling from the boat
Nearby
- Punaruku Beach Pearls (Makemo)Right here
- Punaruku Anchorage (Makemo)0.1 NM away
- Punaruku North Sand Flat Anchorage (Makemo)1.6 NM away
- Arikinui Beach (Makemo North Rim)5.2 NM away
- Makemo Lagoon Bommie Field7.4 NM away
- West Pass Anchorage (Makemo)9.1 NM away
- Tapuhiria Pass Drift Snorkel (Makemo West)9.5 NM away
- Makemo Airport (MKP)10.5 NM away