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

Eiao and Hatutu Reserve Access Rules

8° 0.1′ S · 140° 42.2′ W

Eiao and Hatutu are uninhabited nature reserves (habitat-management areas since 1971, nature reserves since 1992) managed by French Polynesia's environment department (DIREN), with the 12-nautical-mile zone around Eiao, Hatutu and Motu One also protected.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Coordinate is the Eiao Island Nature Reserve position from Wikipedia. Status (French Wikipedia): Eiao and Hatutu were classed as habitat/species management areas in 1971 and became nature reserves in 1992; the 12 nm zone around Eiao, Hatutu and Motu One is also protected; Hatutu is State private domain administered by the Direction de l'environnement. DIREN states that each classification act can set restrictions and bans, and that collecting or transporting plants or animals from a protected area in breach of it is an offence (LP 2300-10). Landing status: no published landing ban or permit form was found; cruisers on Boundless (Fall 2024) anchored in Vaituha Bay, Eiao, and landed on the beach by paddle board without incident. Hatutu has only one possible landing and small-ship anchorage, on its south side. Before going ashore on either island, ask DIREN (Papeete; +689 40 47 66 66; secretariat.diren@administration.gov.pf; 7:30am-3:30pm, Fridays to 2:30pm) or the Taiohae gendarmerie. Take nothing, bring nothing ashore: no pets, seeds, soil or rats (check the dinghy and shoes), and keep away from nesting seabirds. No services, water or help: Eiao's only permanent spring is in Vaituha and is heavily mineralised.

Best for

Knowing the rules before a remote reserve landing

Season

Calm SE trades; avoid N swell at Eiao's NW bays

Nearby