Anchorage· Hiva Oa· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs

Hanamenu Bay (Hiva Oa)

9° 45.8′ S · 139° 8.4′ W

A road-less bay on Hiva Oa's dry north-west corner: a few families on copra land, an ancient valley of paepae and a freshwater spring pool, with the open Pacific on the doorstep.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Coordinate is the centre of ZMR 'Hanamenu' from Arrêté 384 CM (2026): 09°45.77'S 139°08.45'W, 09°45.77'S 139°08.36'W, 09°45.89'S 139°08.38'W, 09°45.89'S 139°08.45'W. Quota: 6 boats under 20 m, maximum 15 days (8 in busy periods). A 20-140 m yacht zone is centred at 09°45.64'S 139°08.40'W (48 hours). A cruiser anchored at 9°45.7607'S 139°08.4185'W in 14 m, sand (April 2019; the compendium's '35.76' is a typo, since the ZMR confirms 45'). The 2026 brief says it is accessible only by boat, with a sandy-muddy bottom that is stable but sometimes exposed to swell, no internet or mobile coverage, and a hamlet busier at weekends than weekdays. Cruisers found it rolly with murky water and a difficult beach landing (2013, 2014, 2019). Rules: ask before visiting the spring and waterfall or picking fruit; archaeological digging is prohibited; no rubbish in the bay. Léo (+689 87 70 71 97) runs fishing trips and can say whether residents need supplies brought from Atuona. Sculptor Jocelito Tepea lives here. Beach and snorkelling in the Tanaeka valley next door, past the statue of the Virgin. Hiva Oa anchoring is governed by Arrêté 384 CM of 31 March 2026: anchoring outside the listed regulated zones (ZMR) is prohibited for any vessel with accommodation; each ZMR needs prior authorization via the Escales service (escales.gov.pf, escales.dpam@administration.gov.pf, DPAM +689 40 54 45 78, 24/7); the Escales fee is deferred until the tariff is published. Inside a ZMR: 5 kn limit, no sailing, anchor lights sunset to sunrise, AIS on if fitted, no scuba or jet skis, swim only close to your boat, no sewage discharge, hull work, sanding or engine tests, and no underwater or hull lights.

Best for

Wild, road-less bay with a spring pool; staging point for Ua Huka or Nuku Hiva

Season

Best in settled E-SE trades; rolly in N swell (Nov-Mar)

Itineraries that stop here

Nearby