Anchorage· Fakarava· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Rotoava Public Moorings (Fakarava)
16° 3.9′ S · 145° 37.2′ W
A handful of free public mooring balls off Rotoava, the survivors of the field the environment service laid in 2015. They are mixed in among private balls belonging to the dive shop and charter catamarans.
Practical
Position of the two white 'public' moorings in Feb 2021: 16°03.899'S 145°37.162'W (Trance), though Top Dive claimed one of them. Noonsite (2023-2025): only 2 public moorings, rated to 30 tons and free. The others belong to Top Dive and charter catamarans, whose crews will ask you to move, even at night. In March 2024 s/v Enjoy reported that every remaining mooring appeared private and they were chased off one. Kokopeli's 2018 village mooring list: 16°03'38.92"S 145°37'15.30"W; 16°03'48.03"S 145°37'10.89"W; 16°03'50.46"S 145°37'09.02"W. Maintenance has been sporadic. In 2017 a mooring parted off Rotoava and the yacht went onto the rocks. Dive on any ball before trusting it, and use two separate bow lines through the eye (not one line as a sliding bridle, which saws through). The authorities plan permanent paid moorings in all zones for 2026 (Noonsite quotes a planned 3,000 XPF; verify locally).
Best for
A short wait for slack water or a quick shore run
Nearby
- Fakarava Regulated Anchoring Zones (ZMR) and Escales BookingRight here
- Rotoava Anchorage (Fakarava North)Right here
- Faka Fa'apu Produce Stand (Rotoava)0.2 NM away
- Rotoava 2 Zone for 15-25 m Yachts (Fakarava)0.2 NM away
- Rotoava Catholic Church (Saint-Jean-de-la-Croix)0.2 NM away
- Toa Pizza Fakarava (Rotoava)0.2 NM away
- Top Dive Fakarava (North Pass)0.2 NM away
- Boulangerie Havaiki (Rotoava)0.3 NM away