Anchorage· Tahiti· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Matavai Bay / Point Venus Anchorage
17° 30.6′ S · 149° 30.4′ W
The historic bay where Wallis, Cook and the Bounty anchored, sheltered behind Point Venus with its lighthouse and black-sand beach; today a short-stay option only.
Practical
Coordinates are French Wikipedia's position for Baie de Matavai; pick your spot on the chart. Matavai Bay is in Mahina, about 8 km east of Papeete. It is no longer a long-term anchoring zone: after the mayor gave nine yachts 24 hours to leave in September 2020, anchoring is allowed for 24 hours at most (Noonsite, page updated Aug 2024). Check with the Mahina town hall or DPAM before relying on it, because rules change often. Exposed to northerly and westerly swell; west swell historically breaks heavily on the beach here, which is the island's oldest recorded surf spot. Land the dinghy at Point Venus beach. Cruiser positions: 17°30.265'S, 149°30.064'W in 12 m (Four Birds, June 2023, an easy night arrival using the lighthouse) and 17°29.96'S, 149°29.8'W in clean sand with good holding (Moon Rebel, 2019, who found it rolly even in light weather and 'positively evil' in night squalls); others anchored in 9 m on sand for weeks (Sugar Shack, 2019). The Point Venus light is listed as Fl W 5s on a 108 ft white tower (NGA List of Lights). Super U, Champion and fuel stations are at the main-road junction; there is a marked snorkel trail off Pointe Tefauroa.
Best for
A day or overnight stop to visit Point Venus
Season
Settled trades only; untenable in north or west swell
Nearby
- Plage Lafayette (Maivai), Arue0.5 NM away
- Super U & Champion Mahina (Point Venus junction)0.8 NM away
- Point Venus Beach (Matavai Bay)1.1 NM away
- Point Venus Lighthouse & Black-Sand Beach1.1 NM away
- Faille d'Arue & Roses de Matavai (Arue Pass)1.2 NM away
- Point Venus Underwater Trail (Pointe Tefauroa)1.2 NM away
- Tomb of King Pomare V (Arue)1.3 NM away
- Nautisport Life-Raft Service Centre (Arue)1.6 NM away