Makatea Island (Tuamotus French Polynesia)

Makatea Atoll is one of French Polynesia's Tuamotus Islands (one of France's overseas territories), located in the archipelago's northwestern part. Makatea is approx 80 km (50 mi) southwest from Rangiroa Atoll - Tuamotus' biggest and one of the world's largest coral atolls.

Makatea's scenery is marked by the island's near-perpendicular cliffs that rise approx 80 m (260 ft) above sea level to a levelled plateau. The island has length 7,5 km (4,7 mi), max-width 7 km (4,3 mi) and is sized approx 24 km2 (9 mi2). The Tuamotus have only four islands formed not like typical atolls - Makatea, Nukutavake (Nukutuvake), Tikei (Tikai) and Tepoto Nord (Pukapoto).

Makatea is also French Polynesia's only island with potable water. Only on this island live two endemic bird species - Polynesian imperial pigeon and Makatea fruit dove.

The Europeans discovered the island in 1606 - during a Spanish expedition from Peru to Terra Australis (hypothetical continent shown on 15th-18th-century maps). On the northwestern coast is located Port Temao - abandoned port that used to serve the island's phosphate mining activities (in the period 1917-64) by Pacific Phosphate Company Ltd.

In 2020, Makatea was included in the 6-day French Polynesian itinerary of the Lindblad Expeditions-owned cruise ship National Geographic Orion.

Starting in 2021, the newbuild cruise ship Aranui AraMana visits (on 10-12-days itineraries) French Polynesia's archipelagos Austral, Gambier, Society and Tuamotus, as well as Pitcairn Island and Cook Islands. Ship's Society Islands itinerary visits in French Polynesia Bora Bora, Huahine, Moorea, Rangiroa, Tahaa and Makatea Atoll.