French Polynesia’s new ESCALES e-service – which is aimed at improving and optimizing the use of maritime space by all vessels visiting the country – is now operational for vessels under 20m, with a pilot phase covering selected anchorages.

Published 5 hours ago

Balance between Environmental Protection and Community Needs

The ESCALES Reservation system for anchorages/moorings is being implemented by the Polynesian Directorate of Maritime Affairs (DPAM) in order to balance the protection of the marine environment and the needs of local communities. All boats wishing to anchor or moor within Polynesian waters must now register and book their anchorages/moorings in advance and pay where required.

According to DPAM, the ESCALES System has been designed with four objectives:

1. Optimize the use of anchorage zones: By regulating the number of vessels in popular anchorage areas, this service aims to prevent overcrowding and ensure fair access for all mariners.
2. Protect the marine environment: By establishing organized anchorage zones and installing ecological moorings, the service seeks to minimize the impact of anchors on sensitive seabeds and preserve marine biodiversity.
3. Enhance nautical safety: Centralized management of anchorage zones will enable better monitoring of vessel movements, ensure compliance with maritime regulations, and allow for faster response in emergencies.
4. Provide services to mariners: The new service will offer updated information on anchorage conditions, online reservations and support to meet the needs of visiting vessels.

Pilot Phase

Currently the system is in a “pilot phase” dedicated to vessels under 20 meters, covering reservations for 351 spots across 50 regulated anchorage zones (ZMR), excluding zones managed by the Port Autonome or marinas in the pilot areas.  Areas in the pilot phase are:

• Fakarava in the Tuamotus
• Huahine, Raiatea and Tahaa in the Society Islands
• Moorea and Taiarapu West in Tahiti

DPAM officials also advised that the e-service and the entire ESCALES system are still under development and that while no buoys have been installed by DPAM in the ZMR areas, they plan to do so “in the medium term”.

In an email sent to Noonsite, DPAM officials confirmed the following information about the Escales system.  Questions about the process can be direction to DPAM officials at: escales.dpam@administration.gov.pf

Using the Escales System

Regardless of your vessel’s size, you can access the e-service at the following link: https://escales.gov.pf/home

• Create your account
• Register your vessel
• View the schedule (accessible without an account)
• Make your anchorage reservation in the desired regulated anchorage zone.

Summary maps of maritime regulations and user guides are available for download in Frequently Asked Questions, specifically in section 6. Access to the FAQ does not require account creation.

Vessels under 20 meters in length

The selected sites (pilot phase of the ESCALES system dedicated to vessels under 20 meters) subject to reservation via the ESCALES e-service include 351 spots across 50 regulated anchorage zones (ZMR), excluding zones managed by the Port Autonome or marinas. The maps are downloadable from section 6 of the FAQ:

• Taiarapu West: eight spots in two ZMR for vessels <20m, limited to 48 hours per ZMR
• Huahine: 76 spots in 10 ZMR for vessels <20m, limited to 48 hours per ZMR
• Raiatea: 81 spots in nine ZMR for vessels <20m, limited to 48 hours per ZMR (zones managed by the PAP or private marinas are not available for booking through the e-service)
• Taha’a: 95 spots in 14 ZMR for vessels <20m, limited to 24 to 48 hours per ZMR
• Fakarava: 55 spots in seven ZMR for vessels <20m, limited to 48 hours to one week per ZMR
• Moorea: 36 spots in eight ZMR for vessels <20m, limited to 48 hours to one week per ZMR

Some zones are managed by other entities:

• Baie de Phaeton, the Port District (Passage Taunoa/Taapuna, including Marina Taina) for Tahiti, Vaiare (Moorea) and the Port District of Uturoa (Raiatea) are managed by the Port Autonome of Papeete.
• Some areas for Bora Bora for vessels under 20m are managed by a service provider (BBMS).

A user guide is available in the Frequently Asked Questions, section 6. Access to the FAQ does not require account creation.

For more information on anchorage zone regulations, please visit the DPAM website: Règlementation des zones de mouillage – DPAM

As a reminder, the e-service and the entire ESCALES system are still under development.

Please note that, as of 1st November 2025, no buoys have been installed by the DPAM. Therefore, the use of existing buoys at the site is strongly discouraged in the absence of recent certified maintenance.

The DPAM disclaims all responsibility for the use of these unapproved anchorage devices.  Note that buoys are planned for the medium term, and information will be widely disseminated to vessel owners.

Ambassadors Program

The Ambassadors Program is also currently in development. Launched on October 20, it is for now being implemented on the islands of Raiatea and Taha’a.

The Ambassador’s primary mission is to inform and raise awareness among users pleasure boaters about the ESCALES system and the regulated anchorage area regulations.

They play a key educational and mediating role in the field, engaging directly with users to explain how the system works, promote understanding of applicable rules, and encourage environmentally responsible and compliant practices.

The Maritime Calls Department is available for any further assistance and guidance during this pilot phase.

Bureau des Escales
Maritime Calls Department
N° 12, Voie M, Immeuble Sat Nui, Fare Ute, Papeete
Ph : (689) 40 54 45 78
Email: escales.dpam@administration.gov.pf
Téléservice : https://escales.gov.pf/
Site internet : www.service-public.pf/dpam/ 

…………………………………

Find out all news, reports, links and comments posted on Noonsite, plus cruising information from around the world, by subscribing to our FREE monthly newsletter. Go to https://www.noonsite.com/newsletter/.

If you have found this information useful, become a paid member to enjoy unlimited use of Noonsite plus many other perks. Your membership fees really help our small, dedicated team keep country information up-to-date in support of cruisers worldwide. Find out more about Noonsite Membership levels and benefits here.