Anchorage· Tahanea· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Tahanea SE Corner Anchorage
16° 57.4′ S · 144° 35.0′ W
Tahanea's maramu refuge: turquoise water and sand behind palm-studded bird motus in the SE corner, about 9 nm from the middle pass, protected from ENE round to SSW.
Practical
Position from Sugar Shack (June 2020): 6 m sand, with 6 floats to stay clear of neighbouring bommies; they rode out a maramu of strong SE wind 'very comfortable in turquoise, calm waters'. Soggy Paws (May 2010) found 14 ft sand with few heads at 16°57.22'S 144°34.81'W, protected ENE to SSW by a palm-studded motu that is home to nesting birds; 'the best so far'. Villa Veritas (June 2022) bashed across in 20 kt SSE to find excellent protection and many sandy spots in about 10 ft, no floats needed; good snorkeling near the cuts between motus (small fish, blacktip reef sharks), great paddleboarding, and another boat kitesurfed all day. Route: either follow the rim in about 60 ft, watching for isolated heads, or use the Soggy Paws direct route (see Tahanea Lagoon Route). Respect the copra camp and the birds: no dogs, no bonfires or kites near nesting motus.
Best for
Sitting out strong SE trades
Season
Refuge in E-SE-S trades and maramu; open to N-NW
Nearby
- Maramu (Reinforced Trades) RefugesRight here
- Tahanea Copra Shed Anchorage0.3 NM away
- Tuamotu Sandpiper Nesting Season (Tahanea)0.3 NM away
- Tahanea Sandy Beach Anchorage0.4 NM away
- Tahanea SE Corner Beach0.4 NM away
- Tahanea East Rim Anchorage3.7 NM away
- Tahanea East Rim Landing Beach3.7 NM away
- Tahanea Northeast Anchorage4.3 NM away