Funafuti - Docking

Anchorages at Funafuti

Anchoring is free in front of the town. There are two anchorages here:

• Anchor off the government building (the tall white one – there’s only one) in about 25 feet of water with excellent holding in sand. This is some considerable distance from shore but you don't want to be any closer as the reef comes up fast.
• Anchor about half way between there and the ship wharf, north of town (very good holding but longer dinghy ride).

Anchorages:

Conservation Area – It is forbidden to visit or anchor in the Conservation area without a permit and a guide.  The Conservation area extends along the entire western side of the atoll down to Te Ava Uni-Uni and north toward the Te Ava Tepuka Vili Vili Pass.

It is necessary to visit the Town Council for costs and details of visiting and snorkeling in this area.

08°31.661S / 179°11.322E – in 13m of water with good holding.  Super calm and well protected spot.  However, this is directly downwind from the pig and chicken farm so there is a bit of a smell throughout the day.  SV Sugar Shack reported that in April 2025 dredging work was underway in this area to reclaim more land which resulted in murky, silty water.

08°31.455S / 179°11.318E  – from this anchorage you can see the large white Government building (Immigration, Health and Biosecurity).  You will need to dinghy about 1/5 mile to the commercial wharf where the Customs office is located.  The water is clear and the bottom is sandy.

Dinghy Landings

08°31.556S / 179°11.565E – leave your dinghy on the beach for a short walk to the government building.

Also 08°31.044S / 179°11.764E – leave dinghy at the sea wall at the small boat harbor and dock.

For Customs, you can leave your dinghy at 08°30.194S / 179°11.716E

08°31.487S / 179°11.549E there is a floating pontoon with a yellow metal ladder to shore.  This leads to a work site, so be sure to stop at the work site office to ask permission to leave your dinghy at this location.

Last updated: May 2025