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

Hiva Oa Anchoring Regulations (Arrêté 384 CM, 2026)

9° 48.2′ S · 139° 1.8′ W · approximate

Since April 2026 Hiva Oa is the first island in the southern Marquesas with formal regulated anchoring zones: you may only anchor in Tahauku 1 and 2, Hanamenu, Hanaiapa, Nahoe and Puamau, and every overnight stay needs an Escales booking.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Coordinate is the Tourism Committee office on Tahauku wharf (OpenStreetMap), where the rules are posted; it is not an anchorage. Arrêté 384 CM of 31 March 2026 (JOPF 1 April 2026) creates six small-craft zones (boats under 20 m): Tahauku 1 (10 boats, 20 days, plus 1 for 30 days renewable), Tahauku 2 (7 + 2), Hanamenu (6 boats, 15 days, 8 in busy periods), Hanaiapa (8 boats, 30 days, 14 in busy periods, plus 2 for 30 days renewable), Nahoe (4 boats, 20 days, 14 in busy periods) and Puamau (8 boats, 20 days, 14 in busy periods). Large-yacht zones for vessels of 20-140 m sit in Hanamenu, Hanaiapa and Puamau (48-hour limit), plus a 90-250 m zone off Atuona. Anchoring anywhere else, including the old spots at Motu Anakee, Hanatekuua and Hanapaaoa, is a 4th-class offence. Exemptions cover boats under 12 m without accommodation staying 24 hours or less, traditional canoes and special permits. Book through escales.gov.pf, escales.dpam@administration.gov.pf or DPAM +689 40 54 45 78 (24/7). The 2026 tourism brief says overnight (4 pm to 9 am) bookings are compulsory, while boats under 20 m may use zone spaces between 9 am and 4 pm within the quota. The Escales fee is deferred until the tariff is published in the Journal Officiel. Boats under 20 m left unattended must name someone who can move the boat within 6 hours. Tahuata zones (Vaitahu, Hanamoenoa, Hanatefau) are 'under discussion' in the 2026 brief, and no Tahuata or Fatu Hiva arrêté was found as of October 2026.

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Knowing where you may legally anchor on Hiva Oa

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