Wildlife· Ua Huka· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Ua Huka Bird Islands (Teuaua and Hemeni)
8° 57.3′ S · 139° 35.6′ W
Two islets off Ua Huka's SW corner that host a huge colony of terns. At dawn and dusk the sky above them fills with circling birds, and in 2015 a boat rounding them met 25-30 manta rays feeding at the surface.
Practical
Coordinate is Teuaua from OpenStreetMap; Hemeni (350 m high) is about 0.3 nm WSW. Watch from the boat: sail close past in settled conditions, keeping clear of the awash rocks off the western end, where Jacaranda met the mantas. Landing is not permitted without a guide; ask in Vaipaee about local trips (Tahiti Tourisme mentions excursions to a nearby bird island). Locals have traditionally gathered seabird eggs (French Wikipedia). The two islets are a no-fishing zone (179,000 XPF fine).
Best for
Seabird spectacle and mantas
Nearby
- Bird Islands Manta Dive (Teuaua and Hemeni, Ua Huka)0.3 NM away
- Haavei Bay Snorkel and Mantas0.5 NM away
- Haavei Bay (Ua Huka)0.6 NM away
- Haavei to Vaipaee Walk1.3 NM away
- Ua Huka Fuel (Truck to the Vaipaee Quay)1.5 NM away
- Ua Huka South-Swell Season1.5 NM away
- Vaipaee Bay Anchorage (Baie Invisible, Ua Huka)1.5 NM away
- Vaipaee Quay Water Tap1.5 NM away