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

Hanavave Bay of Virgins Anchorage (Fatu Hiva)

10° 27.9′ S · 138° 40.0′ W

Framed by towering basalt spires once named 'Bay of Penises' (Baie des Verges) until missionaries added an 'i' to make it the Bay of Virgins, Hanavave is arguably the most photographed anchorage in the Pacific: a narrow valley, a village of about 350, waterfalls and some of the best carvers and tapa makers in Polynesia.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Cruiser position 10°27.874'S 138°40.048'W, 10 m at high tide with 60 m chain, good holding (Nov 2018); Noonsite gives 10°27.88'S 138°40.10'W. Other reports: 10°27.856'S 138°40.079'W in 10 m mud with solid holding (Dec 2019); one crew in 2025 anchored in about 30 m. The sand ends around 138°40.047'W. East of that, toward the head, is rock and harbour-construction rubble with terrible holding, apart from one sand patch usually taken (2023); a local may guide you to a sand spot (2023). Anchor in more than 40 ft (12 m) with long scope: the bay deepens fast past 80 ft (25 m), and spades and Rocnas have failed close in. The bay makes its own weather. Easterly trades funnel down the valley as offshore bullets of 30-40 kn, strongest at night; daytime calms come with vicious gusts. The northern side may get fewer squalls (2018). Short scope caused nightly dragging and collisions with 20+ boats at the Dec 2022 Matava'a. Some swell always works in. No navigation lights, so do not arrive at night without local knowledge. Dinghy: the protected harbour on the north side of the beach, with a boat ramp. Use a stern anchor or tie a stern line to a local boat float, watching for the web of mooring lines. The beach is black boulders; children swim at the ramp. Visiting French Navy ships use the bay (2019, 2020, 2023). The village has open aluminium pangas running day and night. Barter is common: fishing gear, rope, batteries, clothes, shoes and perfume are wanted; never trade alcohol or weapons (2026 brief). No formal anchoring zone had been published for Fatu Hiva as of October 2026.

Best for

The iconic Marquesas anchorage, hikes and crafts

Season

Year-round; gustiest in strong E-SE trades (Jun-Sep); some swell always

Itineraries that stop here

Nearby