Anchorage· Raiatea· French Polynesia — Society Islands

ZMR de Motutiatai (Raiatea)

16° 43.7′ S · 151° 29.6′ W

A reef-side anchorage on a sand shelf just inside the north-west barrier reef, looking out to Bora Bora and Taha'a, a short hop from Apooiti Marina.

Society IslandsTahiti & Moorea

Practical

Quota 10 boats, 48 h maximum, under 20 m only. Sand shelf on the inside of the reef. Shore access by dinghy to Apooiti Marina (ask the marina) or to the Uturaerae docks. Exposed to strong trade-wind chop across the lagoon but protected from ocean swell by the reef. 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

Turquoise-water night stop close to the charter bases

Nearby