Description:

Mopelia, also known as Maupihaa, is an atoll on the western edge of the Isles Sous Le Vent (Leeward Isles) of the Society Islands. It has a narrow pass with a strong outgoing current.

Approximately 18 people live there, scattered along the 8km long main island. They are welcoming to yachts and appreciate gifts of useful things, from tobacco and jam to LED bulbs and boat parts.

Cruiser Highlights:

Friendly locals including Adrienne and Marcello Raioho, their daughters Karine and Fa’imano Raioho and cousins Here and Tino.   Mostly Maohi or French speaking but the daughters speak good English and some spanish also.

Take some items ashore when you first visit. You may be offered lunch or dinner which could include tuna sashimi, lobster/langoustes/koura or coconut crab/kave’u – which is very rare in the Pacific these days and a real delicacy.

Entrance Notes or Cautions:

On approaching from the NE you can see a wreck on the reef; a monohull which came to grief in July 2019.

Time your arrival for the morning – about 08:00. The current is at a weaker ebb then although it still is about 5-6 knots outgoing and eddies and swirls outside the entrance. The pass is approximately 18 metres wide. Going into the pass, you are facing east.

Visibility is tricky because of the glare from the low morning sun.  It is imperative to have someone on lookout at the bow. There are undercut shelving banks of coral on each side. The channel is minimally marked with two slender white and black  poles. Once through the narrow outer pass there are two options: although the channel to the left is deeper, the locals recommend the channel to the right which is marked with clusters of orange buoys on each side.

If you’ve been lucky and caught fish during your passage be aware that the black tip reef sharks will be very interested. They do not bite humans but they are attracted to the vibrations and smells of boats.

Exiting the pass, again morning is recommended. You then have a beat back to Maupiti or Borabora overnight, or can continue on westwards to other countries.

Position:  

16° 46.65′ S, 153° 58.90′ W (pass entry outside the eddies and disturbed flow)

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