Seasonal· Raiatea· French Polynesia — Society Islands

Maraamu Season (Raiatea)

16° 49.8′ S · 151° 25.8′ W · approximate

From June to August the maraamu, a reinforced south-east trade, can blow 25–35 knots for days at a time, piling up 8–9 ft seas between the islands.

Society IslandsTahiti & Moorea

Practical

Prevailing Leeward winds are E–SE 15–20 kn, rising to 25 kn, with 3–5 ft of chop (Dream Yacht base guide). In a maraamu, east-coast anchorages open to the south-east are uncomfortable. Vairahi is sheltered from the SE (brief), and the west-coast zones (Uturaerae, Motutiatai, Tevaitoa, Toamaro) are in the lee. Avoid the south passes (Naonao) when south swell runs. Forecasts on VHF 13 at 6:30am, 12pm, 4pm and 8pm (French), or at meteo.pf. Position is central Raiatea (reference only).

Best for

Choosing a lee-side anchorage in reinforced trades

Season

Jun–Aug

Nearby