Saragossa Shipwreck
Saragossa
The wreck of a cargo ship that ran aground in a storm in 1904, with anchors and rusted machinery scattered across the south-coast reef flat, most visible at low tide.
The Saragossa was a cargo ship sailing from Newcastle, Australia, to San Francisco. In 1904, during a storm, it struck reefs off Mangaia's south coast and sank. Today you can still see its huge iron anchor, boiler and rusted machine parts on the reef flat. From the east end of Tamarua village, follow a coastal dirt road for about 2 km. The road is bumpy, so a motorbike or a walk is the best way there. Go at low tide to get close to the wreck. The reef is sharp, and when the surf is big, stay away from the reef edge.
Opening hours
Open all day; best at low tide
Nearby sights
- Maumaukura Lookout
- Tamarua CICC Church
- Tuatini Cave
- Toru a Puru Cave
- Lake Tiriara
- Rangimotia
- Tua'ati Rock Pools
- Te Rua Rere Cave