Marina· Rurutu· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Moerai Harbor (Rurutu)
22° 27.0′ S · 151° 20.5′ W
Rurutu's only real harbour: a small, deep, rock-walled basin in the main village of Moerai on the NE coast, used by local fishing boats and the two or three yachts that call each year. Tie stern-to the quay with the whole village, its market and its snack bars a few steps away.
Practical
Basin about 120 m wide with 5-6 m inside; the entrance is only about 20 m wide and 4.5 m deep, with rocks on both sides (rocks to starboard on entry, Moana 2023). Follow the bearing of the leading marks, which are NOT lit, so enter in daylight only. The supply ship no longer docks inside (too small); it stays outside. Standard berth (Pitufa, Oct 2018; Moana, Aug 2023): drop a bow anchor in front of the submerged reef in mid-basin (at least 4 m down, it holds anchors if you drag), reverse and run two long stern lines to the western harbour wall, bow to the entrance. Coral rocks line that wall, so do not lie alongside it; lying sideways to the south wall may be possible. A newer small-boat basin just to port after the entrance has a floating dock (dinghies, possibly small yachts) with water and power (2023). Tidal range in the basin about 50 cm. Protection: calm in any wind except E (bouncy) and NE. The entrance faces NE, and in strong NE or E wind the harbour becomes dangerous: leave before you get trapped. In Jan 2024 (sy Elma) easterly swell caused heavy surge, docking was hard, and the central mooring the locals recommended moved in the swell and nearly cost them their rudder; with strong SE wind they found no protected anchorage anywhere on the island and left for the Societies. A sandy patch just south of the harbour, off a small boat pass at a river mouth, can work in SE/S wind and swell but lies close to the reef (Moana). No fees reported. Gendarmerie check-in is required even if you cleared in elsewhere in French Polynesia.
Best for
The only shelter on Rurutu, and the base for caves, hikes and whales
Season
Best in settled SE trades (Aug-Nov); dangerous in strong E-NE wind or swell
Nearby
- Tuhaa Pae IV Supply Ship (Australs)Right here
- Moerai Harbour Snacks0.1 NM away
- Moerai Municipal Market0.1 NM away
- Restaurant Tiare Hinano (Moerai)0.1 NM away
- Rurutu Whale-Approach Rules0.1 NM away
- Tomb of Eric de Bisschop (Moerai)0.1 NM away
- Boulangerie Parau (Moerai)0.2 NM away
- Rurutu ATMs (Moerai)0.2 NM away