Snorkel· Mopelia (Maupiha'a)· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Mopelia Lagoon Snorkel & Bommies
16° 48.0′ S · 153° 57.6′ W · approximate
Mopelia's lagoon, about 6.5 km across and up to 40 m deep, is scattered with large coral heads rising toward the surface. Untouched bommies sit within a short dinghy ride of either anchorage.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate: mid-lagoon, checked as water against the OSM lagoon polygon. Pick bommies near your anchorage by eye. Lagoon dimensions: about 6.5 x 6 km (French Wikipedia), depth up to 40 m (Wikipedia). Noonsite: many large coral heads, so navigate the lagoon only in good overhead light. Blacktip reef sharks are curious, especially if you have just cleaned fish, but they don't bite humans (Noonsite). Clean fish ashore, not off the stern. Ciguatera can occur in Leeward atoll fish (Tahiti Heritage recounts deaths from poisonous fish on Mopelia in 1928), so ask residents which species are safe before eating reef fish. The Seeadler's anchor and a cannon lie in the lagoon (Tahiti Heritage, 2010). Ask the residents where.
Best for
Dinghy snorkel on pristine bommies
Nearby
- Mopelia Lagoon Coral Heads & Pearl-Farm Debris0.4 NM away
- Mopelia Access & Protected-Status Check0.6 NM away
- Mopelia Cyclone Season & No-Shelter Warning0.6 NM away
- Mopelia (Maupiha'a) Lagoon Anchorage1.3 NM away
- Mopelia Supply & Self-Sufficiency1.4 NM away
- Seeadler Wreck (von Luckner, 1917)1.4 NM away
- Mopelia Coconut Crabs1.6 NM away
- Mopelia Copra Community (gifts & trade)1.6 NM away