Seasonal· Tahuata· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Tahuata West-Coast Gusts and Eddies
9° 56.2′ S · 139° 6.7′ W · approximate
Tahuata's high ridge splits the trade wind: a few miles apart, Hanamoenoa can sit in 15 knots while Vaitahu takes 40-knot bullets down the valley and Hanatefau gets reverse eddies from the west.
Practical
Position is Vaitahu (nominal). Cruiser data (compendium): in E 17-21 kn forecast conditions a crew logged maximum gusts of 20-25 kn E at Hanamoenoa, 25 ESE at Ivaiva Iti, 35 ESE at Vaitahu, 45 ESE in the bay between Vaitahu and Hanatefau, and 20 W at Hanatefau (Dec 2018). Jacaranda (2016): 40+ kn in Vaitahu when Hanamoenoa has 15-18 kn. Hanatefau/Hapatoni: back-circulating eddies from NW, W and SW gusting 30+ kn with bows pointing to sea, plus a current that sets boats stern to stern (2018, 2019). Over a 5-week stay (May 2019), usually 5-10 kn from all directions with occasional 30+ kn gusts. The Bordelais Channel to Hiva Oa funnels wind into steep short seas: cross early in the morning on a day with lighter trades (2018, 2024). Practical: choose Hanamoenoa in strong trades, anchor with long scope and generous spacing everywhere, and expect cloud on the peaks to limit solar charging. Southerly swell reaches Hapatoni and Hanatefau; NW swell has chased boats out of Hapatoni. Tahuata anchorages Vaitahu, Hanamoenoa and Hanatefau are planned regulated zones with Escales booking; check escales.gov.pf before arrival.
Best for
Choosing the right Tahuata bay for the day's wind
Season
Strongest in reinforced E-SE trades (roughly Jun-Sep); S swell in austral winter
Nearby
- Vaitahu Educational Marine Area Snorkel0.1 NM away
- Vaitahu Village Anchorage (Tahuata)0.1 NM away
- Vaitahu Water Tap and Trash0.1 NM away
- Chez Jimmy (Vaitahu)0.2 NM away
- Magasin Sarl Raihauti (Vaitahu)0.2 NM away
- Snack Heitiare Joseph (Vaitahu)0.2 NM away
- Tahuata Medical Center (Vaitahu)0.2 NM away
- Vaitahu Church and Te Ana Peua Museum0.2 NM away