Seasonal· Toau· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Toau Cyclone and Maraamu Season
15° 48.2′ S · 146° 9.1′ W
Toau is a low atoll with no cyclone hole: leave the Tuamotus for the November-April cyclone season, and in the June-September maraamu pick Anse Amyot or the SE corner for shelter.
Practical
Position is the Anse Amyot mooring field. Cyclone season: November to April. French Polynesia's risk is very low except in strong El Niño years; Cyclone Orama devastated the Tuamotus in 1982-83, and low atolls give no shelter because surge enters the lagoon unhindered (Cruising World). Maraamu: reinforced SE trades from June to September bring a very strong outgoing current and a tidal bore at neighbouring Fakarava's Garuae Pass (official Fakarava brief, 2025, which covers Toau's commune); sea-seek warns that Otugi Pass builds an unpleasant bore when it blows hard from the east, so cross on the flood. Anse Amyot is open only through a small NW slot, and the shallow reef protects it from the southerly winds common in May-June (Soggy Paws, 2010); when W or strong winds are forecast, Valentine has asked moored boats to set a backup anchor to the side of the mooring (Nakia). Inside the lagoon, the SE-corner moorings and wooded motus give the best trade-wind shelter; move before a N-NW shift. Check Météo-France (weather.pf) daily.
Best for
Planning a safe Toau stop around the weather
Season
Cyclones Nov–Apr; maraamu SE blows Jun–Sep
Nearby
- Anse Amyot Moorings (Toau)Right here
- Anse Amyot Fuel and Water (Toau)0.1 NM away
- Anse Amyot Reef Snorkel (Toau)0.1 NM away
- Valentine and Gaston's Restaurant (Anse Amyot)0.1 NM away
- Anse Amyot Outer Wall Drift (Toau)0.3 NM away
- Snapper Hole Dive Site (Anse Amyot, Toau)0.6 NM away
- Yellow Dog Dive Site (Anse Amyot, Toau)0.8 NM away
- Anse Amyot Grottos (Toau)1.1 NM away