Seasonal· Huahine Iti· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Cyclone Season & Port Bourayne Refuge Timing
16° 46.2′ S · 151° 1.8′ W · approximate
The South Pacific cyclone season runs November to April. Port Bourayne, the enclosed bay between Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti, is the island's recognised cyclone shelter, but it is small, so move early.
Practical
Approx: mid-bay in Port Bourayne (OSM bay label at 16.7722°S 151.0283°W). The 2025 brief calls the bay very protected and a cyclone shelter. It has ZMRs Bourayne 2 and 3 and Tio (3 sailboats each, 48 h max). Wet season is November to April (charter base guide). Noonsite (Sail Tahiti report) puts the real risk from the end of November to the end of March and calls it low on the edge of the cyclone belt. Météo-France Polynésie issues special cyclone bulletins from 1 November. Arrêté 912 CM (2025) says its anchoring bans and restrictions do not apply in a case of force majeure. Boats under 20 m left at a ZMR must name someone who can move the boat within 6 hours if the maritime authority asks. Timing: as soon as a depression is forecast to track toward the Leewards, go into Port Bourayne in daylight via Passe Temutuarua and the Bourayne channel, before the swell builds in the passes and other boats fill the bay. No shops nearby: provision in Fare first. For storage through the whole season, the haul-out yards are in Raiatea (see area notes). Check that your insurance covers French Polynesia in the season.
Best for
Planning a cyclone-season stay
Season
Nov–Apr (peak risk late Nov–Mar)
Nearby
- Port Bourayne Cyclone Refuge0.2 NM away
- ZMR de Bourayne 2 (Huahine)0.2 NM away
- ZMR de Bourayne 3 (Huahine)0.2 NM away
- I Love Huahine Coral Garden (off Faaua)0.5 NM away
- ZMR de Tio (Huahine)0.6 NM away
- Hana Iti Beach (Huahine Iti)0.7 NM away
- Huahine Vanilla Farm1.2 NM away
- Pont de Maroe (Maroe Bridge)1.2 NM away