Seasonal· Nuku Hiva· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Southern Winter Swell (Nuku Hiva South Coast)
8° 55.2′ S · 140° 6.2′ W · approximate
In the southern winter, swell from distant Southern Ocean depressions rolls into the south-facing bays of Nuku Hiva, making Taiohae, Daniel's Bay and Controleur Bay rolly or worse while Anaho on the north coast stays flat.
Practical
Position approx: plotted at the Taiohae Bay anchorage. Soggy Paws (Sept 2010): large SE swell made all south-coast anchorages really uncomfortable while Anaho was flat calm. Mabel Rose (Aug 2022) found breaking waves blocking the Taipivai river landing. Taitonga (2019): in a big southerly swell, Taiohae can make going ashore impossible. Pitufa notes high southern-winter swell makes open anchorages very uncomfortable. Watch swell forecasts and move north (Anaho) when a big S swell is forecast; Kandu's rule of thumb: northern swell, use Controleur Bay; southern swell, go to the north coast.
Best for
Choosing the right side of the island
Season
Roughly May to September (southern winter)
Nearby
- Marquesas Cyclone-Season Refuge (Taiohae)Right here
- Marquesas Puddle Jump Arrival SeasonRight here
- No-No Sand Flies (Nuku Hiva Beaches)Right here
- Nuku Hiva Anchorage Quotas and Boater RulesRight here
- Taiohae Bay Anchorage (Nuku Hiva)Right here
- Taiohae Bay Manta RaysRight here
- Keikahanui Pearl Lodge (Taiohae)0.3 NM away
- Mokai Bar Happy Hour (Le Nuku Hiva by Pearl Resorts)0.3 NM away