Makatea, or
Mangaia-te-vai-tamae, is a
raised coral atoll in the northwestern part of the
Tuamotus, which is a part of the French overseas collectivity of
French Polynesia. It is located 79 km southwest from
Rangiroa to the west of the
Palliser group, which also is in French Polynesia. Makatea is surrounded by spectacular cliffs, rising to a plateau 80 m above sea level. This island is 7.5 km long, with a maximum width of 7 km in the south. It is 24 km² in area. Makatea is one of the only four islands of the
Tuamotu Archipelago (along with
Nukutavake,
Tikei, and
Tepoto Nord) that do not take the form of a typical
atoll.