Bora Bora - Docking

Anchoring and Mooring:

Anchoring restrictions are in effect in Bora Bora Island's internal waterways.  Anchoring is now prohibited except in two authorized areas and is restricted to five boats at a time for a maximum period of 36 hours.

In the main, yachts must use moorings or marinas - both of which have limited capacity. Read the following reports for all the details and anchoring maps:

• Restrictions and Costs Increase for Cruisers (May 2022)
• Significant Changes to Anchoring Restrictions for Cruising Yachts (Feb 2020)
• Current Situation from the Association des Voiliers en Polynesie (AVP - Nov 2019)

The Bora Bora lagoon has been divided into authorized zoned anchorage areas with specific restrictions applying to each. If your boat is over 10m in length and you are planning to anchor for more than 24 hours, you must use one of the authorized anchorage areas.

The anchorage areas are allocated to vessels based on the length of the vessel, with different areas for vessels under 20m in length and vessels over 20m.

Officially, vessels are now required to declare their arrival by VHF, phone, fax, or email to the authorized manager responsible for the desired anchorage to gain approval for anchoring. However, no one appears to know quite how this should be done.

Most cruisers are reporting that it is possible to anchor for a few hours at dive/snorkel spots, but not overnight.

Strict rules have also been put into place regarding navigation and water sport activities within designated anchorages and discharge of wastewater.

In November 2022, the DPAM made changes in the Hitiaa anchorage area of Bora Bora due to the protection of cables and outfalls in the inner waters of the lagoon of Bora Bora.

The Hitiaa 1 berth is deleted and the anchorage stations Hitiaa 2 and Hitiaa 3 are renamed Hitiaa 1 and Hitiaa 2 respectively. The area dedicated to the mooring of sailing boats has been moved.  These areas are noted in the following document.

See Regulation of the anchorage of ships in the inland waters of Bora Bora by DPAM for full details and maps.

See also these documents from DPAM but available on the AVP website (Association des Voiliers en Polynesie) which outline the most recent changes.

Official texts and orders published in the JOPF

Also see this report for details.

Notes:

•  A holding tank MUST be used.
• A charge is made for anchoring, however collection of payment is reported to be patchy.
• Anchoring off MaiKai Marina is not recommended, it is 30+ meters deep with lots of coral at the bottom, and nasty gusts constantly rush down the mountain, tossing boats around.
• It is possible to anchor off Bloody Marys if the mooring field is full, in 20-30m, holding is good.

Moorings:

There are four mooring fields and over 100 moorings available around the island at a cost of 6000 XPF for the first day or for two days the fee is 4000XPF per day.

Moorings are managed by BB Mooring Services (BBMS) and must be reserved in advance via WhatsApp: +689 89 440 888 / VHF 9 or via email to dockmaster.bbms@gmail.com

Be careful as many moorings in the bay may not be insured. Those belonging to BB Mooring Services (BBMS) and are reported to be insured (be sure to see the certificate and read the fine print). They are also reported to be inspected every six months.

The moorings at the Bora Bora Yacht Club, MaiKai Marina and Bloody Mary's Restaurant are all older moorings and it is dubious as to how well they are maintained.

Bora Bora Yacht Club - located just inside the only channel entering the lagoon. There are mooring buoys here for boats of less than 20m. The mooring field here is well protected from prevailing winds from the East and South. Note that now the moorings are managed by BB Mooring Services, and not the YC, you have to pay for the moorings and for the daily shore pass if you wish to use the Club's services (see their listing for more details).

MaiKai Marina - located just around the corner, closer to Viatape and near the fuel dock. This marina is reported to be closed, but moorings are still available here. Pick up a mooring if you see one free.

Bloody Mary's Restaurant - Renowned for the famous people who have drunk and dined here, Bloody Mary's restaurant, bar and gift shop are currently closed due to the development of their new overwater bungalow resort.  Renovations and construction will continue through most of 2025 with a tentative reopening date and the grand opening of the Bloody Mary's Hotel is in November 2025.

Notes:

• Be prudent and inspect any mooring you pick up.
• If winds are high, it is always safer to stay with your boat. Be sure to check the insurance held by the moorings operator. Most stipulate that the skipper must be on board during “high” winds.
• Fees reported August 2024 for mooring buoys are 4000XFP per day which grants you access to any mooring in any area and you can move amonth them at will.  The fee also includes twice weekly rubbish collection.
• For an additional 2000 xpf plus a 1000 xpf card deposit you can purchase 700 liters of water at the town dock.
• The mooring fee includes garbage collection from your boat three times a week.

Dinghy Docks:

• The Bora Bora Yacht Club has a dinghy dock, available for use if you buy a shore pass.
• Bloody Mary's dinghy dock is not operating due to the development of a new overwater bungalow resort.
• In Vaitape dinghies can tie to the ferry dock opposite the tourist office.
• The MaiKai restaurant and dinghy dock have closed.

Town Docks:

A public dock is available for loading/unloading at downtown Vaitape at the fish market, opposite the cemetery. Good for shopping or offloading/taking on guests from the airport. There is a ferry to the airport here. Note however this dock has no security and while it is possible to overnight there have been reports of theft from boats in the past.

Marinas:

MaiKai Marina has a floating dock, for loading/unloading, and a fixed dock. It does appear however that this marina is currently closed.

Security:

Outboards and dinghies are a preferred target for would-be thieves so be sure to lift your dinghy and outboard and securely lock them at all times.

Do not leave any loose items on deck or in easy reach of water-borne intruders.

Last updated:  May 2025