Raiatea - Docking
Anchoring
No Anchoring Zones:
In July 2023, the Directorate of Maritime Affairs of French Polynesia (DPAM) announced the creation of new No-Anchoring Zones for Raiatea (and Tahaa).
Anchoring is now prohibited in seven protection zones (see appendices) for various cables, pipelines or submarine outfalls as indicated on the following map. For full details see this Noonsite news item.
Moorings
There are moorings available in some areas of the lagoon. Some moorings have already been set up on the north-eastern side of Raiatea and their use will be limited to 72 hours in most places.
According to long-term cruisers in the area, the situation changes daily. To find out more, read the following reports:
- Significant Changes to Anchoring Restrictions for Cruising Yachts
- Current Situation from the Association des Voiliers en Polynesie (AVP)
Due to the issues surrounding anchoring restrictions, the anchorages below may no longer be available for use by visiting cruisers.
- Many boats now anchor in the shallower depths between the two islands inside the reef. If your draft is 2m or less there are lots of options.
- Baie Haamene on the west coast offers secure holding in mud.
- In front of the northern Uturoa Marina (Dream Yacht Charters) is a good and not-too-deep a spot for a sandy anchorage. However, if charter catamarans are using the mooring buoys in front of the marina it can be difficult to find anchoring space.
- There are numerous places to anchor before the reef on the west and east side of Raiatea depending on the wind direction. It is recommended to get the exact spot information from locals or a good map.
- Faaroa Bay is a popular destination and there are now 3 mooring balls mid-channel (in front of the restaurant) and 3 more and a dinghy dock at the bottom of the bay. Anchoring in mud is possible too.
- Miri Miri is to be avoided, yachts are not welcome there.
- Cruisers report being able to anchor on the west side of Tahaa in clear water and good sand just north of the Tahaa Resort, near the “Jardin de Coraill” (Coral Garden).
Marinas and Moorings:
There are three public Marinas in Raiatea: Two in Uturoa and one in Apooiti. There are also mooring buoys that are for public use, some paid, others not. These are mostly useful in the dry season, April to November. The marinas are small and advance reservations are only possible for permanent residents. Visitor docks work on a first-come-first-served basis, however you can always call or e-mail in advance to check for space.
On the east coast of Tahaa in the Baie de Faaha, there are moorings available at the Tahaa Motu Pearl Farm.
Uturoa main marina/public dock: This is mainly for the local fishermen, loading/unloading, ferries and access for big cruise ships and is located in the centre of town. It is divided into two areas: a well-protected part for fishing boats and ferries; and a very exposed part for visitors. Sailboats are only allowed to dock in the latter part. There is no power supply or water connection. Wash from the fast fishing boats and ferries are sometimes a hazard if staying on the dock here, as well as strong easterly winds. Keep in mind, there are some steel rings directly attached to the pier’s concrete wall. The nearby Shell Gas Station does not offer water for visitors.
Uturoa Marina North: Home base of Dream Yacht Charters and usually overcrowded with permanent residents. However, there are two moorings in front of the marina entrance which can be used if free and by liaising with Dream Yacht Charters.
Apooiti Marina: Apooiti marina has a visitors dock (depth about 2.5m) with power and water that can accommodate 4-5 boats maximum . They do have a rate per hour if you don’t want to stay overnight. It’s on a first come first served basis, no reservations.
It is possible to also Med-moor to the outside wall. There is good depth in the middle of the marina and it may be possible to go stern-to and use a passarelle to get ashore. This outside wall is used by charter boats in high season, so space is at a premium.
There are also many mooring buoys outside the marine entrance which can be picked up if free. You will need to register at the marina office once tied up.
Chantier Naval: This boatyard has a small marina, but only for their customers waiting to get pulled out of the water.
Security:
There is no security on Uturoa public dock and there continue to be incidents of thefts from boats here (both unlocked and locked) as well as dinghy and outboard theft. It is recommended not to overnight on this dock, however, if it cannot be avoided be sure to secure everything on deck as well as the dinghy engine(s) and the dinghy itself and remove anything of value from view. It goes without saying that you should lock the boat up at night and when going ashore.
Take care if leaving your dinghy at the northern marina. Even chained and padlocked dinghies/outboards get stolen. It may be wise to appoint a watchman.
Rubbish Disposal:
New regulations have been established prohibiting any rubbish to be deposited anywhere on the island and all common garbage points are to be locked. According to the Association des Voiliers en Polynesia (AVP), all sailors who want to get rid of rubbish must go to a collection point in Raiatea West (Pk 14) and pay 9000 xpf before being allowed to dispose of rubbish. It is hoped a viable solution to this problem will be found soon.
Used oil and batteries CAN be disposed of at the ComCom, PK 14, Raiatea West at no cost. See User Comments (the speech bubble icon) for the latest information.
Last updated: July 2023
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Related to following destinations: French Polynesia, Raiatea, Society Islands
Port Navigation
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Some information about garbage collection in Raiatea from Olivier, the AVP representative:
All common garbage bins on the island are now under lock and key. The authority managing garbage collection (ComCom) has decided to increase significantly it’s price to professional (shops, garages, shipyards, …), and link the price to the volume of garbage. As a result all professionals have locked up their garbage cans.
Private garbage cans are only visible on the day of collection, and are not for common use.
No more garbage cans in town anywhere.
A memo was issued by the president of the ComCom warning that passing yachts are not to deposit any garbage anywhere, but must come to PK 14 West (near Tumaraa) to pay a 9000 francs fee prior to being allowed to deposit garbage. Any wild deposit will lead to a 4000+ francs fee.
This of course does not mean that garbage will disappear, and cannot be accepted by the sailing community. As a result, attempts are underway to find solutions. The first initiative comes from the “residents” on anchor in front of the shipyards (carenage), which have agreed to pay jointly for a large bin to collect garbage. This is primarily for the boats on anchor there, and as a priority for those who have contributed.
However, passing boats are allowed to drop their garbage if there is room in the bin, AND (and this is most important), the garbage must be separated from the recycle (glass, plastic bottles, metal cans), which must go into the recycle bins available throughout the island. Any garbage bag that is not properly segregated leads to a 14 000 fine, and obviously the resident yachts will not want to foot that as well.
More initiatives are under review, possibly with financing coming from the AVP (one bin is under consideration next to the Shell station), but again, this will only work with proper discipline from the users. I’ll revert on that
Boats taking a mooring or a berth at Apooiti marina will have access to the marina bins (which are now also under lock and key). Passing boats are requested not to drop any garbage at the marina.
The risk, of course, is that these drastic measures will lead to wild garbage disposal. This would in turn again put our community under the wrong light, and a more perennial solution must be found.
On a more positive side: Old oil and batteries can be dropped at PK14 West at the ComCom at no cost. Just inform the staff at the ground level office. Professionnals do not enjoy this “privilege”…
More to come as it becomes available.
Olivier
SY Mary Ann
The marina project in Raiatea (about 100 places) is moving forward, but opposition from locals is getting louder. “No marina”, “Save our lagoon” and other signs are popping up everywhere around the planned location, just like last time (3 years ago). This time, the municipal government has done all the locals wanted, i.e. a very extensive environmental survey, impact assessment, current analysis etc. The outcome again depends on the political will of the municipality, the FP territorial authority and the French government.
The marinas are indeed small and mostly full of local and charter boats but it is possible to get a berth on the visitor dock on a first come first served basis. Best is to email them or phone them.
Ituroa Marina: There are now charter catamarans on mooring buoys outside the entrance and we couldn’t see where one could anchor with a safe swing radius.
Apooiti Marina: There are many mooring buoys outside the entrance which can be taken if free then register at the marina office (VHF 12 appears to be monitored here). We took a buoy on the first night then went in to check for availability. The visitor doc was full (fits 4-5 boats max) but we could med moor to the outside wall. There is good depth near the middle and depending on your stern design you may be able to go stern-to and fit a passerelle otherwise bow-in and use the dinghy. The exterior wall is used by charter boats in the high season so there may not be spaces here depending on the time of the year. We were there in February 2020.
Anchoring:
Many boats now anchor on the shallower depths between the 2 islands inside the reef. If your draft is 2m or less there are lots of options.
Miri Miri is to be avoided amongst others. Yachts are not welcome there.
Posted on behalf of SY Domino:
Motu Aito – 16°42.742S – 151°26.466W – We anchored at Motu Aito, the artificial motu across from Uturoa. This has become somewhat of a controversial anchorage with the locals.
Long-term cruisers, especially the ones who have registered their children in Uturoa schools, have elected this site as their quasi-permanent anchorage. The locals have a tendency to see them as “squatters.”
The main issue is with local water taxis and shuttles who use the channel north of Motu Aito, a channel often obstructed by the yachts at anchor. Fed-up with the not-so-nice attitude of a few cruisers, the locals are asking for a ban on this anchorage.
It would be nice if the city installed mooring balls, just as they have in other places, or designate a safe anchorage for long-term cruisers. But for now, we can still anchor at Motu Aito.
Posted on behalf of SV A-Train (Vancouver, BC)
In need of some mainsail repairs, we found in Noonsite, information on a highly recommended shop called Voilerie Aveia in Raiatea. The owner is Régine Faux and we met with Regine and dropped off our sail a few days ago.
We received a quote via email in less than 24 hours and pricing is very reasonable.
We will post more feedback when the repairs have been completed.
Gwen and Russ Hobbs