Just curious.
We were in Manihi in September a few years ago, at the Pearl, and all day trips and excursions were cancelled due to high winds. You could hitch a ride on the employee boat to the village, around noon. But everything else was cancelled.
We were in an overwater, but they offered a beach bungalow to us due to the wind. We declined, but maybe should have taken them up on it.
One day, the wind died down for about an hour. We happened to be in our OW bungalow, and the silence was deafening. We immediately donned our snorkel gear, and had a wonderful hour in the water. Some very good snorkeling right off our bungalow. Then the wind resumed from a different direction. Figured the eye of the storm just passed over us.
Have recently read a trip report here from someone's trip in Dec/Jan, and he discussed the wind, but said it didn't hamper their snorkeling or day trips.
Just wondering when the wind is at it's least on Manihi. Whatever that may be.
Don't get me wrong, I know the Tuamotos are out atolls, and due to lack of relief, it's windy most of the time. Just wondering when might be the least.

We were on Fakarava in November 4 years ago and I don't remember the wind being a problem (I do remember it being too much for me 4 years earlier in November on Bora Bora). We were on Fakarava for a week and I know for sure there were many times it was dead calm (because my husband commented that he was hotter than he'd ever been in his life and there wasn't even a slight breeze).

We were on Fakarava in early Feb a few years ago and there was very little wind.

I think the Tuamotus are subject to wind anytime of year...as they are such flat islands sitting out in the middle of nowhere, with no land masses to possibly break the flow of the wind. BUT....based on my knowledge of meteorology (few classes in college)....I would expect the winds would likely be worse in their winter months (our summer) than the opposite.

Thank you. I recall that we were on Rangiroa for a week in early March several years ago, and I don't remember wind being a factor. Also, after leaving Manihi (above original post) we went to Raimiti on Fakarava (would be still Sept.). The couple on the ocean side complained about the wind, but we felt almost none on the lagoon side. Old Wife, your husband's comments brought back that memory. It was very hot and no breeze, but out on the reef, hold on to your hat.
So maybe Feb - Mar is a good chance of not too bad wind?

Again, very likely less wind that time of year....BUT...there would be more chance of rain.

I also think the exact position of your hotel to the general wind flow direction would likely make a difference. Take Raimiti for example...the wind is flowing from the east, so the ocean side would get more wind than the lagoon side. So....if, on Manihi....the rooms on the lagoon side face the wind, then it would likely be windier.

This year it has been extremely windy...however the so called mara'amu the strong wind coming in from the SE is in August/sept period, easily said from July thru Sept/Oct. guess the months early in the year are less windy but then again you should know that FP seems to be undergoing some sort of climate changes...

Regarding Manihi you'd need to check if they'd be open as they'll be renovating or something in 2012, Tikihau pearl is better windwise LOL

we are thinking of a trip to Fakarava with the Air Tahiti specials. So, Feb would be a good month?

It's rainy and cyclone season but who knows... this year hardly any rain in the Tuams at all...
Check the "sejour dans les ?les" they include airfare and lodging (dep from Papeete) and get a "blue" flight from Huahine to Papeete.
www.sejoursdanslesiles.pf

we are looking at the sejourdanslesiles. Great deals.

So what month do you recommend for Fakarava? We are leaving FP at the end of April

I just checked that url, and found they have discontinued their service.

"We would like to inform you that Air Tahiti has decided to close down Islands Adventures online travel agency, in order to focus on its main activities as an airline.
Consequently, we kindly recommend that you get in touch with another tour operator or travel agency specialized in our destination. We are convinced that they will be very happy to assist you."

Hm. I just got the new schedule last week of the airline flights from Air Tahiti and the specials are in there.

I wanted to know about a special to Fakarava, so I called them on Monday. Weird.

I also get emails from them. I got one a couple of days ago about new specials they have.