Anchorage· Raiatea· French Polynesia — Society Islands

ZMR de Fareatai (Raiatea)

16° 52.6′ S · 151° 21.6′ W

A remote anchorage on Raiatea's far south-east, where the deep cobalt lagoon meets the turquoise shallows, beside a pearl farm and the Opoa Beach Hotel.

Society IslandsTahiti & Moorea

Practical

Quota 5 boats, 48 h, under 20 m. Raiatea Pearl farm (sells keshi and mabé pearls; 87 35 32 95 or 87 70 01 16) has 2 moorings for boats under 20 m. Call before using them, or use its dinghy dock. The Shell Museum (Musée du coquillage, call ahead: 40 60 04 70) is nearby. A little north are 2 private moorings off the Opoa Beach Hotel (lunch, dinner and bar; 40 60 05 10), which can also be reached by dinghy from Fareatai. Centroid of the zone corners in Arrêté 911 CM. Overnight stays (4pm to 9am) must be booked on escales.gov.pf, by email to escales.dpam@administration.gov.pf, or by phone to DPAM on 40 54 45 78 (24/7). Boats under 20 m may use any ZMR space between 9am and 4pm without booking, within the zone quota. The booking service was free in its 2025 pilot; fees were announced for 2026, so verify locally. Under Arrêté 911 CM (2025): boats over 20 m are not allowed in these zones; maximum speed is 5 kn; no sailing, scuba diving or jet skis inside the zone; anchor lights at night; AIS left on at anchor; no underwater or hull lighting; no grey or black water discharge. Once permanent moorings are installed (works planned through 2026), anchoring is banned and you must use a buoy.

Best for

Quiet south-east corner with a pearl farm and hotel bar

Nearby