Anchorage· Tahiti· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Port Phaeton (Taravao) Anchorage
17° 44.0′ S · 149° 19.7′ W
A landlocked bay at the isthmus between Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti, ringed by hills, and the island's recognised cyclone hole; Taravao village is a 10-minute walk from the head of the bay.
Practical
Position from Noonsite (Phaeton Bay 17°44.01'S, 149°19.73'W). Approach via the wide Passe Tapuaeraha (buoyed, with a range light) and follow the marked channel; it narrows at Pointe Riri, where red marks the shore side and green the reef side. Passe Teputa is an alternative, but use Tapuaeraha in heavy weather or southerly/westerly winds (Noonsite, June 2024). Described as an excellent cyclone-season shelter on your own anchor (Sail Tahiti / Noonsite). Port Phaeton lies outside the Faa'a/Punaauia and Taiarapu-Ouest anchoring decrees found in this research; confirm the current status with DPAM before staying. It is not on DPAM's 2026 list of first-touch ports of entry, so clear in at Papeete first. Ashore: Carrefour Taravao, Lavomatic (24/7 token machines, wash about 1,300 XPF per 11 kg, 2020), and a Mobil station that forwards gas bottles.
Best for
Cyclone-season shelter and a quiet base for Tahiti Iti
Season
Cyclone-season refuge (Nov–Apr); well sheltered year-round
Nearby
- Tahiti Nautic Center Marina & Haul-out (Taravao)0.2 NM away
- Voilerie Mado Sails (Taravao Marina)0.2 NM away
- Terre-Mer Restaurant (Port Phaeton / Taravao)0.3 NM away
- Carrefour Taravao0.6 NM away
- Taravao Laundries (Lavomatic & Blanchisserie Taiarapu)0.6 NM away
- Super U & Champion Taravao1.1 NM away
- TU'ATI Cuisine et Vin (Taravao)1.1 NM away
- Taravao Hospital & Medical Centre1.4 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).