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

Rotoava 2 Zone for 15-25 m Yachts (Fakarava)

16° 3.9′ S · 145° 37.4′ W

A dedicated anchoring box farther offshore from Rotoava, reserved for larger yachts of 15 to 25 m that would crowd the inshore zones.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Official zone 'Rotoava 2': only vessels of 15-25 m reference length (others need DPAM permission). Up to 5 boats, stays up to 7 days. Its corners run from 16°03.637'S to 16°04.205'S and from 145°37.198'W to 145°37.575'W (coordinate is the zone centre). The 2025 tourism brief calls it the superyacht area (quota 5, 7 days). The chart extract annexed to the decree shows deeper water than the inshore zones. 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

Catamarans and yachts over 15 m

Nearby