Anchorage· Raivavae· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Rairua Dock and Anchorage (Raivavae)
23° 52.1′ S · 147° 41.3′ W · approximate
The anchorage and supply-ship dock off Rairua, Raivavae's administrative village. It is reached by a wide, marked pass and channel, and today it is the one spot where visiting yachts are allowed to stop, beneath steep green peaks.
Practical
Approximate position: about 180 m NW of the shoreline at the Rairua mairie/post office, following Pitufa's description ('about 180 m NW of the dock in 12 m sandy bottom'); there is no published dock waypoint. Holding good in sand (Moana 2023), but some rocks and coral may foul the chain. Protected from SW through S to E; open to fetch from NE to NW. Even in the trades there is a little swell (minor). The goélette calls every 10-15 days and uses the 5 m dock; otherwise, with the mayor's permission, you may lie at the dock (Chugach 2020; Moana 2023 'unless the supply boat is scheduled'). No public potable water system: islanders rely on rainwater. Free garbage disposal for yachts in Rairua (Chugach 2020). STAY RULES: since COVID the island limits yachts to 3 days (72 hours, arrival and departure days included) at the anchorage off Rairua (Moana June 2023; Elma Jan 2024; Pitufa 2022 update). Pitufa reports a 2022 campaign that banned sailboats from the rest of the lagoon; Elma (2024) was told yachts may anchor only off the two main villages and may not visit motus without the owners' permission, but they were allowed to Motu Piscine. In bad weather ask the gendarmerie for an extension; Raivavae has the only storm-protected anchorages in the Australs. Check the current rules with the gendarmerie and mairie before moving the boat inside the lagoon.
Best for
Clearing in and the only permitted yacht stop
Season
Good in S-E trades; exposed in NE-NW winds