Landmark· Makatea· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Vaitepaua Village (Makatea)
15° 49.3′ S · 148° 15.9′ W
The small hilltop village above the Temao landing, today Makatea's administrative centre, home to most of the island's roughly 95 residents (2022 census), with the mairie, post office, school, churches and tiny shops.
Practical
Coordinate from OpenStreetMap. French Wikipedia names Vaitepaua as the current chef-lieu on the north of the plateau and Moumu as the original Polynesian village on the windward side; English Wikipedia calls Moumu the main village. From the dock take the one road uphill and follow it into the village; keep left at the large cell tower for the post office. No airport; supply ships call about twice a month. English is spoken but French is easier.
Best for
Village life on a raised atoll
Nearby
- Magasin Louela (Makatea)Right here
- Makatea Guided Island TourRight here
- Makatea Mairie Mooring Contact0.1 NM away
- Makatea Post Office (OPT)0.1 NM away
- Makatea Rock Climbing0.1 NM away
- Temao Boat Basin Dinghy Landing (Makatea)0.5 NM away
- Makatea Phosphate Mine Ruins0.6 NM away
- Makatea Mooring Reef Snorkel0.8 NM away