Anchorage· Tahiti· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Faa'a / Punaauia Authorized Mooring Zones P3–P5 (Motu Tahiri)
17° 33.0′ S · 149° 37.2′ W
Three small authorized mooring zones in the Faa'a lagoon north of the airport, near the vanished Motu Tahiri; under the 2026 rules they and the two Taina zones are the only legal places to lie on the west coast.
Practical
Coordinates are the centre of zone P3 'Nord-ouest du Motu Tahiri' (17°32.88'–33.08'S, 149°37.06'–37.34'W). P4 'Nord du Motu Tahiri' is about 17°32.75'–32.82'S, 149°36.86'–37.01'W, and P5 'Nord-est du Motu Tahiri' about 17°32.59'–32.65'S, 149°36.21'–36.33'W (arrêté 650 CM, 2020). The April 2026 amendment (450 CM) repealed zone P2 (Baie de Vaitupa) and another point, and the July 2026 port notice lists P6 (north-west of Motu Tahiri) and Vairai as prohibited. Mooring only on an approved installation, no anchoring; speed 5 kn inside zones; no swimming, diving or watersports inside zones; no hull work or antifouling; declare arrivals and departures to the zone manager (Port autonome, capitainerie 40 47 48 82, VHF 12). The old 'airport anchorages' along this coast are closed to anchoring and were remote, with thefts reported (Noonsite). The whole area is inside the airport regulated zone: cross only with Vigie permission and never at night.
Best for
Knowing where you can legally stop on Tahiti's west coast
Nearby
- Vallée Blanche Shark Dive (Faa'a)0.4 NM away
- Faa'a International Airport (PPT)0.7 NM away
- Papeete Port of Entry – Border Police (STPAF, Faa'a Airport)0.7 NM away
- Faa'a Wrecks – Catalina Seaplane, Cessna & Schooner (Aquarium dive site)0.8 NM away
- Aquarium Coral Garden & Cessna Wreck (Faa'a lagoon)1 NM away
- InterContinental Tahiti Lagoonarium (Faa'a)1.2 NM away
- Papa Whisky Amphitheatre (Faa'a outer reef)1.4 NM away
- Tahiti Sails (Faa'a)1.6 NM away