After spending a few days in Fatu Hiva we set sail for Makemo in the Tuamotus.
The atolls of the Tuamotus are low lying coral rings, quite different from the Marquesas. Makemo, about three miles away:
You need to time your arrival properly, the current in some of the passes can exceed six knots. We arrived just after low tide with the wind behind us. Wind and current going in the same direction meant an easy shot into the atoll. Entering the pass:
Main street looking back toward the town pier:
Makemo, like most of French Polynesia so far in our trip, was very clean and the people are super nice. The atolls are narrow coral rings covered mostly with coconut palms. The main pier and anchorage is about a hundred yards behind us and that tall structure at the far end of the road is the lighthouse at the entrance to the pass. That may give you an idea of how narrow the available real estate is here:
Nice church:
Perimeter road, schools to the right, light house in the distance:
Dinghy dock:
While anchored near the village we did some snorkeling. The water is very clear. We drift snorkeled the pass and could clearly see the bottom in 100 feet of water. …we mainly snorkel in shallower water:
It is easier to spot these in shallow water:
More to follow…