Landmark· Raroia· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
St Michael Church (Raroia)
16° 2.1′ S · 142° 28.2′ W · approximate
Garumaoa's Catholic church of Saint-Michel, built in 1877, is the heart of a village so small you can walk across it in two minutes.
Practical
Approximate: Garumaoa (Ngarumaoa) village is on the west rim about 1.5 nm south of the pass and north of the airport (16.0469S / 142.4769W, French Wikipedia). The position is interpolated between the 'inside the pass' waypoint (16°01.0134S / 142°27.1706W) and the airport; no source gives a village waypoint, so confirm on satellite imagery. Parish founded 1850, church built 1877 (French Wikipedia). Errantries (2015) describes a few streets, two minutes to walk across and ten to walk the length. Cruisers have been invited to village weddings (Freeirie, 2023). Havini and Karen in the village center help visitors with information, little tours, fishing and even emergency repairs (2023).
Best for
A stroll through a tiny Paumotu village
Nearby
- Raroia Fuel (ship and pearl farm)Right here
- Raroia Gendarmerie and Post OfficeRight here
- Raroia Lagoon Rules: Reserve and Educational Marine AreaRight here
- Raroia Magasin (Gerard and Raya)Right here
- Raroia Public Water PointRight here
- Raroia Community Garden and Eggs0.1 NM away
- Raroia Small-Boat Marina0.1 NM away
- Garumaoa Village Anchorage (Raroia)0.4 NM away