Anchorage· Raiatea· French Polynesia — Society Islands
ZMR de Tuatau (Raiatea)
16° 54.2′ S · 151° 25.7′ W
The south-coast anchorage off Fetuna village in Tuatau Bay, a farming and fishing village, with Motu Naonao's snorkeling a dinghy ride away.
Practical
Quota 4 boats, 48 h, under 20 m. Enter by Passe Naonao. Dinghy to the dock in front of the village, or go alongside the quay for short stays. Small grocery. The coral shelf in front of Fetuna has a deep hole full of fish that is popular with local fishermen. Apatoa Hotel & Restaurant is a little north with a dinghy dock (reservations 87 29 65 50). Exposed in strong southerly swell and maraamu. 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
Village life and the Naonao snorkel in the deep south