Manihi atoll on the Tuamotus

Our first atoll to visit was Manihi. The entrance into a atoll on the Tuamotus is often tricky and sometimes hazardous. Sailboats without an engine have to proceed with extra caution and best with local assistance. At the same time we did not even know when the tide would go in or out when we arrived, but we were lucky. On the fotos you can see the entrance in calm conditions. On the chart sketch everything looks so easy but currents can run at up to 6 knots in the entrance and, once inside, one has to watch out for coralheads, lingering just below the surface. The average depth inside the atoll is about 16 fathoms, corresponding to about 30 meters, even at the anchorages.