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

Vaitahu Village Anchorage (Tahuata)

9° 56.2′ S · 139° 6.6′ W

Tahuata's main village sits in a steep valley under a stained-glass stone church. Mendaña landed here in 1595, Cook in 1774, and here France annexed the Marquesas in 1842. The anchorage is small, deep-sided and famous for its gusts.

TuamotusMarquesas

Practical

Cruiser position 09°56.219'S 139°06.647'W in 7 m (Dec 2019); Noonsite gives 09°56.24'S 139°06.77'W. Mediocre holding with deep coral heads; look for sand, e.g. just off the beach ramp next to the church, about 50 yd out, in line with the canoe moorings (Noonsite 2003). Use a stern anchor or plenty of scope. Expect violent katabatic bullets down the valley: 40+ kn when Hanamoenoa has 15-18 kn (2016), and gusts of 30 kn with 20 kn outside (2022). Dinghy: the concrete quay at the north end is surgy, with exposed rebar; ferries and the Aranui use it and treat dinghies as fenders. Tie at the inshore end toward the rocks with a stern anchor, or (2026 brief) haul the dinghy up onto the quay. The alternative is the river-mouth beach at half tide or higher on a rising tide (local kids swim there). Water: potable spring water at the quay (2026 brief; a spigot on the dock in 2016). The 2026 brief's Tahuata chart shows a 'Marine Protected Area – anchoring prohibited' zone on this coast and Vaitahu school's Educational Marine Area (AME), so check the chart and keep off coral. Village (2026 brief): Snack Jimmy (VHF 8, +689 87 23 79 98, also laundry), Snack Kano (open daily), 2 food stalls open until 3 pm, artisans and dances under the quay canopy on cruise-ship days, daily pétanque 5 to 8 pm, outrigger canoe lessons, a car with driver recommended for touring. Regulation status (Oct 2026): the 2026 Hiva Oa-Tahuata brief marks Vaitahu (10 boats, 4 days), Hanamoenoa (8 boats, 4 days) and Hanatefau (6 boats, 4 days) as regulated anchorage zones 'currently under discussion' between the commune and DPAM, with overnight Escales booking (escales.gov.pf) expected. No Tahuata arrêté had been published on the DPAM site when checked, so check escales.gov.pf before arrival. Tahuata has no waste facilities for yachts: carry all rubbish back to Tahauku. Do not pick fruit; ask (Solange, Vaitahu Tourism Committee, +689 87 26 46 64, can arrange fruit baskets).

Best for

Church, museum, carvers and the island's shops

Season

Usable year-round in moderate trades; very gusty in strong E-SE trades; untenable in SW swell

Nearby