Anchorage· Fakarava· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Rotoava 1 North Zone (Fakarava)
16° 3.6′ S · 145° 37.3′ W
A small six-boat anchoring box just north of the main Rotoava zone, split off by the authorities because of coral massifs between the two. It is closest to the quay and to the north end of the village.
Practical
Official zone 'Rotoava 1 (nord)': up to 6 boats under 20 m, maximum stay 48 hours (the southern zone allows 7 days). Its corners run from 16°03.526'S to 16°03.677'S and from 145°37.234'W to 145°37.385'W (coordinate is the zone centre). In Sept 2019 Sugar Shack anchored in 12 m nearby (16°03.69'S 145°37.19'W), and in June 2021 in 10 m on a sandy patch at 16°03.50'S 145°37.22'W. Expect bommies; float your chain. Same shelter as the main anchorage: good in the E-NE trades, exposed to the south. 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
Quick stops near the quay and the fuel station
Season
Year-round; exposed in S winds