Anchorage· Rangiroa· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Motu Fama Anchorage (Rangiroa)
15° 14.1′ S · 147° 42.4′ W
A remote, peaceful anchorage on Rangiroa's south rim off Motu Fama (Faama), where pink-sand beaches, inner pools and weathered fossil-coral formations wait for a dinghy or paddleboard at high tide.
Practical
West-end anchorage 15°14.092'S 147°42.445'W (Sugar Shack 2019; Asolare 2016 anchored at 15°14.088'S 147°42.412'W in 10 m sand with a gradual approach). An east-end spot at 15°13.74'S 147°42.41'W in sand and some coral heads was very comfortable in E and SE winds but rolly once the wind backed north of east (Slipaway 2011). About 17 nm from the Kia Ora anchorage. Route used by Asolare (2016): down the lagoon 'fairway' to 15°02.17'S 147°39.28'W, then direct towards the west end of Motu Fama; they never had less than 20 m but logged a very shallow exposed coral/rock patch about 5 m across at 15°08.664'S 147°41.004'W and a shallow sand patch about 50 m across at 15°11.195'S 147°41.655'W. Sail only with the sun high and a lookout. Reach the inner motus by dinghy at high tide or by SUP. Nearest services are back at Avatoru/Ohotu.
Best for
SE-trade refuge with a wild south-rim feel and Ile aux Recifs next door
Season
Good in E-SE trades; rolly in NE
Nearby
- Ile aux Recifs (Reef Island, Rangiroa)0.7 NM away
- Le Jardin de Corail (Rangiroa)2.7 NM away
- Maramu Southeast Blows (Rangiroa & Tikehau)7.5 NM away
- Blue Lagoon (Rangiroa)15.1 NM away
- West Lagoon Sand Anchorage (Blue Lagoon approach, Rangiroa)15.3 NM away
- Northwest Lagoon Anchorage (15°01.6'S, Rangiroa)15.6 NM away
- Tiputa Village Gasoline16.1 NM away
- Tiputa Village16.2 NM away