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

Tahanea South Rim Sand Banks Anchorage

16° 59.0′ S · 144° 39.4′ W

A string of narrow 10 ft sand banks along the south rim, off three particularly attractive motus. Superb for shallow-draft boats in calm weather.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Position from Fellow Traveler (May 2010), as corrected by Mary Anne II (the compendium's '16°54.04'S' is a typo for 16°59.04'S). Anchor on the edge of the bank. Swinging toward the reef risks the shallows, and swinging out risks wrapping deep coral heads. A Bahamian moor (two anchors laid along the bank in clear sand) holds you in place. Endless spots in 35 ft with heads exist nearby for those willing to dive their chain. Catamarans 'would love' these banks; in calm, clear water they look almost too shallow but carry 10 ft. Exposed to the S across the reef in big swell.

Best for

Shoal-draft exploring along the south motus

Season

Settled E trades

Nearby