Anchorage· Rimatara· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Rimatara Open Roadstead (no pass)
22° 38.0′ S · 152° 48.4′ W · approximate
Rimatara is a small, round, raised island with only a narrow fringing reef: no pass, no harbour and almost no shelter. A visit by yacht means a calm-day stop off the north shore near the airport.
Practical
Approximate position: about 200 m off the north shore by the airport, toward the small boat harbour of Taanini, per Pitufa's suggestion: anchor in 10-15 m on the large sandy patches visible on satellite images outside the reef, where dinghy access should be fairly easy in calm conditions. This is untested: Pitufa sailed by in October 2018 and conditions did not allow anchoring. Official charts show an anchorage on the NW side and a minimal reef pass, but that spot is on the coral shelf and landing looks very difficult. The island's round shape gives little protection from swell or wind waves. Cruisers have heard that locals come out to fumigate anchored yachts: Rimatara is still largely pest-free and depends on agriculture, so expect biosecurity checks and keep rats and fruit flies off the island. Not a port of entry: clear into French Polynesia first (nearest port of entry Rurutu, about 81 nm east-northeast), then report to the 'Gendarmerie de Rimatara (Amaru)' if you get ashore, via the 'Rimatara North Boat Landing'.
Best for
A rare day stop in flat calm
Season
Only in calm, settled weather with low swell
Nearby
- Rimatara Airport (RMT)0.2 NM away
- Rimatara North Boat Landing0.3 NM away
- Anapoto Beaches (Rimatara)0.9 NM away
- Anapoto Village (Rimatara)0.9 NM away
- Magasin Monique Orafe (Amaru)1 NM away
- Amaru Bakery (Rimatara)1.1 NM away
- Amaru Communal Craft Centre (Rimatara)1.1 NM away
- Amaru Village (Rimatara)1.1 NM away