Anchorage· Fakarava· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs

Pufana North Pass Anchorage (Fakarava)

16° 4.9′ S · 145° 41.7′ W

The official five-boat anchorage just inside Garuae Pass beside the Pufana reef, with clear water, the north-pass dive sites a few minutes away by dinghy, and day trips to the Blue Lagoon.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Official zone 'Pufana': up to 5 boats under 20 m, 48 hours maximum. Its corners run from 16°04.798'S to 16°04.944'S and from 145°41.599'W to 145°41.743'W (coordinate is the zone centre). The chart extract in the decree annex shows soundings of roughly 12-17 m around the zone, with the Pufana reef beacon (Fl R 2.5s) on its east side. Exposed to north wind. The zone sits beside a shoal used for introductory dives, so go slowly in the dinghy. Snorkeling is recommended. The small public beach at PK 9 is opposite: dinghy landing, a weekend local barbecue spot, a petanque court and a marae, with a road to the village. When entering through Garuae, hold 147° true for about a mile before turning to port, to clear the Pufana reef. Zone rules (Arrete 414 CM of 28 March 2024): overnight stays (4 pm to 9 am) must be pre-booked at escales.gov.pf (or escales.dpam@administration.gov.pf, DPAM +689 40 54 45 78, 24/7); the service was free in the 2025 pilot and the 2025 brief says fees will be charged in 2026. Boats under 20 m may use zone spaces between 9 am and 4 pm without booking, within the quota. Inside zones: 5 kn speed limit, no sailing (motor in and out), no scuba, windsurfing or towed sports, swimming and snorkeling only close to your own boat, show anchor lights from sunset to sunrise, keep AIS on if you carry it. No sewage discharge, hull work, antifouling, sanding or engine testing at anchor. Anchoring outside the five designated zones, or in channels and passes, is a 4th-class offence. Permanent moorings are planned for 2026; once a zone has referenced moorings, anchoring in it becomes illegal.

Best for

Diving and snorkeling the north pass without the Rotoava crowd

Season

Settled E-SE trades; avoid in N winds

Itineraries that stop here

Nearby