Landmark· Mopelia (Maupiha'a)· French Polynesia — Society Islands

Mopelia Lagoon Coral Heads & Pearl-Farm Debris

16° 47.7′ S · 153° 57.3′ W · approximate

Mopelia's lagoon is deep and open, but it is studded with large coral heads, and the abandoned pearl farms left buoys and gear just below the surface. Every move inside the lagoon is an eyeball-navigation exercise.

Society IslandsTahiti & Moorea

Practical

Coordinate is approximate: lagoon water between the pass and the eastern motu, checked against the existing lagoon positions in this file. Noonsite (June 2024): many large coral heads, so cross only in good overhead light with a bow lookout; a few old pearl-farm buoys sit just below the surface on the approach to the SE anchorage. Gryphon (2010): coral heads in the shallows just inside the pass, so keep dodging until the sounder shows deeper water; abandoned oyster gear, buoys and nets remain, and some coral-encrusted buoys are hazards in the water. Anahi (2008): with the lagoon choppy on the way out, coral was hard to see, so the crew retraced their inbound track; save your track going in. Do not move in overcast or with the sun low ahead; float your chain over the bommies at anchor and check your swing when the wind shifts. Stonefish lie in the shallow margins ashore (Gryphon), so wear reef shoes when beaching the dinghy.

Best for

Knowing the hazards before crossing the lagoon

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