Apataki : Profile

Location

The SW pass is reported to be tricky but not bad if you time it right and have good light. The two passes of Apataki are unusual in that they seem to be rough with overfalls on the in-going tide. The SW pass is worse on the in-going current than the out-going.

Docking

There is no safe anchorage near the village in prevailing winds.

There is however a calm anchorage in 25ft. of coral sand close to the pearl farms in the SE corner of the lagoon. Pearl farm families will welcome you warmly, they truly enjoy meeting travellers and you will be able to learn plenty about all their activities (black pearls, copra, fishing, vanilla cultivation, egg farming and more).

The NW anchorage about 1.5 nm from the NW pass is calm in NE winds but rolly in E winds and dangerous in S winds (because of the long fetch).

This is a straightforward lagoon to sail across pass to pass or even diagonally with few reefs easily avoided with good light. Keep an eye out for pearl farm buoys even in the middle of the lagoon.

If you are looking for somewhere unique to haul your boat, try Apataki Carenage in the south of the Atoll.

Last updated June 2011.

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