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

Puamau Bay (Hiva Oa)

9° 45.7′ S · 138° 52.5′ W

The north-east bay below the 'Valley of the Tiki', anchoring off Puamau village (about 200 people) and walking up to the largest tikis in Polynesia. The village has the warmest welcome on the island and a road over the mountains to Atuona.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Coordinate is the centre of ZMR 'Puamau' from Arrêté 384 CM (2026): 09°45.57'S 138°52.47'W, 09°45.68'S 138°52.39'W, 09°45.75'S 138°52.46'W, 09°45.67'S 138°52.56'W. Quota: 8 boats under 20 m, up to 20 days (14 in busy periods). A 20-140 m yacht zone is centred at 09°45.62'S 138°52.80'W. 2026 brief: 8-12 m; do not drop on coral; if swell makes the quay unusable, beach the dinghy opposite the church by the fishermen's slipway. Cruisers anchored at 09°45.800'S 138°52.673'W in 34 ft sand with easy setting (Aug 2022) and 09°45.822'S 138°52.750'W in muddy sand (June 2022). Anse Atohu north of the quay had poor holding. Rolly in strong easterlies or NE winds (2003, 2017, 2019). Landing at the concrete wharf works at mid to high tide only, so time the surf. Do not leave the dinghy ashore if conditions might build. Village (2026 brief): water at the quay, medical centre, post office (no ATM), small grocery (2019), municipal police +689 87 28 47 10. Vegetables from Placide Tapipi +689 87 30 71 62, eggs from Leonie Tapipi. Car hire from Tevenino Kuhi +689 87 75 44 73 or Tehamoana Flore +689 87 75 47 47. Hiking or horse riding with Huhina +689 87 20 86 21. Spearfishing trips with Yann Loriot +689 87 37 52 25. Tiki-carving workshop with Thierry. Pétanque with locals 3-4 pm. A small underwater paepae next to the anchorage is good for snorkelling. Fatu Uku islet, 7 nm off, is a local spot for lobster and wahoo, but landing is difficult, there are many sharks and the fish carry a ciguatera risk. Hiva Oa anchoring is governed by Arrêté 384 CM of 31 March 2026: anchoring outside the listed regulated zones (ZMR) is prohibited for any vessel with accommodation; each ZMR needs prior authorization via the Escales service (escales.gov.pf, escales.dpam@administration.gov.pf, DPAM +689 40 54 45 78, 24/7); the Escales fee is deferred until the tariff is published. Inside a ZMR: 5 kn limit, no sailing, anchor lights sunset to sunrise, AIS on if fitted, no scuba or jet skis, swim only close to your boat, no sewage discharge, hull work, sanding or engine tests, and no underwater or hull lights.

Best for

Me'ae Iipona tikis and Marquesan village life

Season

Best in SE trades (austral winter); rolly to untenable in NE winds and N swell (Nov-Mar)

Nearby