Dangerous Anchoring Spot in French Polynesia #sailing #dangerous #themoreyouknow

The tiny island of am Motu in French Polynesia is an adventurer’s paradise with its crystal blue waters and vibrant marine life. But hidden beneath the surface lies a serious hazard – bommies or coral heads, which can pose great danger to boats and their anchors.

Dangerous Anchoring Spot in French Polynesia

As we approached the town of amanu, the anchorage looked inviting and protected. But upon further investigation, it became clear why some refer to this area as “Coral Cemetery.” The bottom was littered with large coral heads or bommies, which tower up to just below the surface.

Hazard of Bommies

The danger comes when you’re setting an anchor and suddenly the wind shifts, causing your boat to start spinning or dragging. It’s all too easy for your anchor chain to get tangled up in one of these massive coral formations hidden beneath the surface.

Navigating the Hazardous Anchorage

Due to this risk, many boaters employ clever strategies and innovations to avoid disaster in this anchorage. For instance, they may use buoyancy aids such as fenders or old pearl farm buoys, attaching them to the anchor chain. This keeps the chain floating above the coral heads so it doesn’t get entangled.

Am Motu – Coral Cemetery

The island of am Motu is a reef islet formed from broken coral and sand. The bottom of the surrounding lagoon is strewn with these bommies or coral heads that can rise up to just under the surface – making it very tricky for anchoring.

Anchor Challenge in amanu

In amanu, there’s an additional challenge with the anchorages. They are filled with bommies that can cause problems if your boat starts spinning on its anchor after a wind shift. It’s risky because you could end up tying your chain around one of those large coral formations below.

Sailing in Perilous Waters

For adventurous boaters exploring the breathtaking islands of French Polynesia, navigating these perilous waters can be a thrilling challenge. The key is to stay vigilant, use smart anchoring techniques, and appreciate the magnificence of nature even in its most wild forms.

Be Prepared

Sailors venturing to these parts of French Polynesia should be prepared with all the right gear, including floats or fenders for their anchor chains. That way, even if conditions change unexpectedly, they can avoid tying up with a coral reef below that’s best left untouched and admired from above the crystal clear water.

The islands and waters of French Polynesia remain a treasure trove for adventurous boaters seeking the uncharted path. Be it exploring secret coves or navigating coral bombies, each day is an adventure that will leave you breathless.