Anchorage· Maupiti· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Motu Pitiahe Anchorage
16° 28.6′ S · 152° 15.0′ W · approximate
The classic first stop just inside Onoiau Pass, in the lee of Motu Pitiahe (Pitihahei) with its white beach. For years cruisers anchored or picked up a ball here to watch mantas glide over the coral heads. Since April 2026 it is no longer a legal overnight anchorage; use the ZMR de Manuea nearby.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate: a point in the water about 300 m west of Motu Pitiahe, checked against the OpenStreetMap coastline, shown so you can find the beach and the former anchorage. Under arrêté 399 CM (2026), anchoring or stopping outside the designated ZMRs is prohibited. The manta no-navigation and no-anchoring zone created by arrêté 1335 CM (2013) also lies off Motu Pitiahe. Historically, Noonsite (Aug 2023) listed six mooring balls at Pte Tamaupiti just west of the pass. Latitude 38 (2014) reported anchoring behind a motu just inside the pass in about 40 ft over sand. Land the dinghy on the beach for the day; the motu beaches of Pitiahe and Tiapa'a are favourite picnic spots (Tahiti Tourisme).
Best for
Day stop: beach and mantas; overnight in the ZMR de Manuea
Nearby
- Motu Pitiahe & Motu Tiapa'a Beaches0.1 NM away
- Maupiti Manta No-Navigation Zone0.2 NM away
- Maupiti Manta Ray Cleaning Station0.2 NM away
- Tiapa'a Stingray & Blacktip Shallows0.4 NM away
- ZMR de Manuea (Maupiti)0.5 NM away
- Maupiti Pass Season & Manta Season0.7 NM away
- Maupiti Large-Yacht Zones (arrêté 399 CM 2026)0.8 NM away
- Maupiti Manta Dive (Maupiti Diving Club)1 NM away