Makatea Island Tuamotus French Polynesia
French Polynesia
14
Cruises availables
At departure or passage at this port
Frequently Asked Questions
Because it is not an ordinary atoll but a raised one. Limestone cliffs about 80 metres high drop straight into the Pacific, topped by a forested plateau, where neighbouring atolls barely break the surface of the waves.
No quay awaits ships. Tenders land passengers on a small platform built at the foot of the limestone wall, when the sea state allows. Landing can therefore be cancelled: this is an expedition call, not a guaranteed one.
In the early 20th century, the discovery of rich phosphate deposits turned the island into one of the great industrial centres of the island Pacific. For more than fifty years, thousands of workers extracted ore from the plateau. Mining ended in the 1960s and the population fell from several thousand to fewer than a hundred.
Striking remnants: metal structures eaten by salt and thousands of circular pits across the plateau, now overrun by greenery. Local guides tell that story as you walk, and it is what gives the hike its meaning.
Allow about 90 minutes round trip for a walk that is demanding in places, on a well-marked path climbing through the cliff face. The reward is vast ocean views and a crossing of dense vegetation loud with birdsong. You need to be in decent physical shape.
Yes, but not the way you do elsewhere in Polynesia. The limestone bedrock hides caves hung with stalactites, some holding freshwater pools where swimming feels like a waking dream, with filtered light and a coolness that surprises after the walk. Islanders guide visitors to the most accessible ones, at low tide for those on the shore.
Closed shoes with lugged soles, because fossil coral cuts like glass. Add a generous water supply and sun protection, since shade is scarce outside the forest, a headlamp for the caves, a swimsuit for the pools and some cash.
The island has built a reputation among climbers thanks to bolted routes on the limestone wall, and enthusiasts travel far to test themselves on it. That said, it is not among the activities offered during an ordinary cruise call.
Only a few dozen, gathered in the village on the west coast. Their welcome counts for much in the memory of the call: singing, flower garlands and coconut preparation demonstrations often punctuate organised visits, with no staging whatsoever.
Travellers in good physical condition, ready to deal with swell, heat and rough paths. Anyone looking for a beach and a lounge chair will be disappointed: there are none. In exchange, the island offers a nearly untouched place and an industrial history unique in French Polynesia.
