Permit· Ahe· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs

Ahe Pearl-Farm Anchoring Rules

14° 29.2′ S · 146° 21.3′ W

Ahe is the heart of Tuamotu pearl country, with 81 pearl farmers and nearly 790 ha of lagoon under concession: stay in the marked channels and never anchor or motor through a farm.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Position is the second red channel marker (14°29.188'S 146°21.334'W), the turn-off for Kamoka. Rules and practice: (1) Stay in the two marked channels, pass-to-village and pass-to-airport; favour the east side of the village channel because floats are encroaching on the west side (Jacaranda, 2016), and expect oyster stations even in the channel (sea-seek). (2) Do not cut along the south side of the lagoon to the east end; every local asked said go back to the pass and use the airport channel (Jacaranda). (3) Near Kamoka the farm says 'DO NOT ANCHOR ANYWHERE NEAR THE FARM': the oyster stations cover most of the surrounding area; email Patrick (humbertpatrick@yahoo.fr) first to ask for a mooring (Sea Dragon, 2021). (4) If you see two buoys, assume a line hangs between them; some floats sit a metre or more under water or are fouled with growth and hard to see, and some farms are unbuoyed. (5) A small boat working in an area means farm lines; if they wave, stop. (6) It is illegal for farmers to sell pearls directly to the public; buy from a registered dealer and expect a receipt with tax. Concession data: 2024 atoll sheet (DRM statistics, July 2024).

Best for

Navigating Ahe's lagoon without fouling a farm

Nearby