Anaa
A Tuamotu atoll whose lagoon throws a green light onto the clouds above it, visible far out at sea.
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Anaa lies in the western Tuamotu and is known for an effect its people call the mata pupura: the shallow lagoon over pale sand reflects a green light onto the underside of the clouds above it, which can be seen from a long way out and was used by navigators to find the atoll. It has no pass, so the lagoon is enclosed. Anaa was a powerful atoll in pre-contact times and its warriors raided widely across the archipelago.
What you actually see
- The green cloud light - the lagoon's reflection thrown onto the clouds above.
- The enclosed lagoon - a lagoon with no pass to the open sea.
- The bonefishing - the flats the atoll has become known for among anglers.
- The village - Tukuhora on the northern rim.
When to go
May to October is the dry season. The cloud effect is clearest in settled weather. Flights are infrequent.
Honest expectations
Flights are few and connections are awkward. Accommodation is limited to a couple of pensions. The lagoon has no pass, which limits diving.
Nearby
Tahiti is west, and Fakarava is northeast.
What to pack for Anaa
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.