Napuka, or Pukaroa, is a small coral atoll in the Disappointment Islands, in the northeastern part of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located only 15 km to the southeast of Tepoto Nord, its nearest neighbor, forming a small group. These two atolls are quite isolated, the nearest land being Fangatau Atoll 170 km to the south.

Napuka Atoll is 10.5&nbsp;km long and about 4&nbsp;km wide. Its reef is quite broad, completely enclosing the lagoon. The total dry land area of the thirty islands on Napuka's reef is 8&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. The surface of the lagoon is 18&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.

Napuka has 255 inhabitants according to the 2022 census. This atoll was probably the one that Charles Wilkes called "Wytoohee" or "Wutoohee".

The airport on Napuka opened in 1977.

Administration

The commune of Napuka consists of the atolls of Napuka and Tepoto Nord.

References

  • Atoll names
  • Origin of the name (in German)
  • United States Exploring Expedition, - Charles Wilkes
  • Napuka airport
  • Atoll list (in French)
  • A journey to the Disappointment Islands