Anchorage· Fatu Hiva· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Omoa Bay Anchorage (Fatu Hiva)
10° 30.7′ S · 138° 41.3′ W
Fatu Hiva's main village, about 3 nm south of Hanavave, has a church, museum, two stores, a bakery and the tapa makers. Its bay is open and rolly but has surprisingly good holding in settled weather.
Practical
Cruiser position 10°30.711'S 138°41.282'W, 10 m mud, set first try and held at 2,400 rpm (Dec 2019). In 2003 a crew set in sand in 9 m. Excellent holding in various parts of the bay. It is often rolly and hard on monohulls, though 20 boats stayed 5+ days for the Dec 2022 Matava'a. Avoid the local small-boat moorings. A west wind can push you back toward the swell on the beach (2003). Dinghy: the concrete landing behind the breakwater; easy in small swell, but larger swell can wash dinghies onto the quay, and the wet ramp is very slippery (2023). A stern anchor helps keep off. Many cruisers stay in Hanavave and dinghy the 3 nm instead. Village services (compendium): infirmary +689 87 79 74 74, Monday to Friday 7:30 am to noon; post office near the mairie, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 7 to 11 am, Wednesday 7 to 9 am (verify locally). Euros were changed at the grocery at a poor rate (2019). No trash facilities.
Best for
Shopping, tapa and the Omoa petroglyphs
Season
Settled trades only; rolly in S-SE swell