Permit· Fakarava· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Fakarava UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rules
16° 18.0′ S · 145° 38.0′ W
Fakarava commune (Fakarava, Toau, Aratika, Kauehi, Raraka, Niau and Taiaro) is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and visiting yachts are expected to follow its rules ashore and afloat.
Practical
From the 2025 official yachtie brief: no lights under the boat at night (they disturb wildlife); no campfires on land or motu; no pollution of any kind (waste, liquid discharge, grey water, sunscreen); no overfishing, so take only what you will eat; no illegal Airbnb or charter on passing yachts; no nudity at anchor, ashore or showering on deck; and correct dress in the village and church. Do not dive the passes without a local dive centre, which keeps the number of daily groups in check. Limit dinghy traffic in the passes, and keep out of the fish parks, which are private. Soggy Paws compendium notes: fish, crabs and lobster are for consumption within the atoll only; anchor on sand, never on coral; stay 100 m downwind and down-current of fish parks. Leave the Napoleon wrasse alone, since the big resident ones at the south pass were lost to spearfishing (Jacaranda). The reserve dates from 1977 and was extended to the whole commune in 2016 (Wikipedia). Maps of the protected zones are posted outside the Rotoava mairie.
Best for
Staying welcome in the Tuamotus
Nearby
- Tonae Anchorage (Fakarava)5.5 NM away
- Pakokota Anchorage (Fakarava, closed)6.3 NM away
- Kaukuraroa Mid-Lagoon Anchorage (Fakarava)7 NM away
- East Side Motu Anchorages (Fakarava)8.3 NM away
- Te Ava Nui Dive (Fakarava North)12.5 NM away
- O2 Fakarava Dive Centre13.3 NM away
- PK9 Snorkel (Fakarava)13.6 NM away
- Pufana North Pass Anchorage (Fakarava)13.6 NM away