Anchorage· Fakarava· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
East Side Motu Anchorages (Fakarava)
16° 20.3′ S · 145° 29.7′ W
The palm-lined lee of Fakarava's long eastern rim, where cruisers once hopped motu to motu on the way between the passes. Tukaega and Oreihara are the names that recur in logs.
Practical
STATUS: since Arrete 414 CM (April 2024), anchoring anywhere outside the five designated zones (Pufana, Airport, Rotoava, Hirifa, Tetamanu) is prohibited in Fakarava lagoon. This spot is listed from pre-2024 cruiser reports for reference and emergency shelter only. Check with DPAM or the tourism committee before using it. The coordinate is Tukaega (16°20.310'S 145°29.742'W), where Slip Away (2011) left the channel heading east and anchored in 27 ft (8 m), mostly sand with a few coral heads. Astra (July 2008) anchored at Oreihara, 15 NM down the east side from Rotoava, dodging coral heads. In 2010 Soggy Paws explored the uncharted middle of the lagoon: depths were either very deep or very shallow, the interior motus dropped from 1 ft to 80 ft, and no safe swinging room was found there.
Best for
Historic reference only
Nearby
- Kaukuraroa Mid-Lagoon Anchorage (Fakarava)3 NM away
- Tonae Anchorage (Fakarava)5.6 NM away
- Pakokota Anchorage (Fakarava, closed)7.6 NM away
- Fakarava UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rules8.3 NM away
- Hirifa Anchorage (Fakarava)10 NM away
- Enata Diving (Hirifa / South Pass)10.1 NM away
- Hirifa Beach10.1 NM away
- Hirifa Kite and Wing-Foil Spot10.1 NM away