Anchorage· Moorea· French Polynesia — Society Islands
ZMR de Vaianae (Haapiti, Moorea)
17° 35.5′ S · 149° 51.4′ W
The southernmost of the three Haapiti-sector ZMRs: two boats on sand in 5–10 m off Vaianae, with Moorea's wild southwest coast and the Avarapa surf break nearby.
Practical
Decree 910 CM polygon: 17°35.389'S–17°35.514'S, 149°51.283'W–149°51.426'W. Quota 2, 48 h. Enter by Matauvau Pass only (no access via Avarapa or Avamotu) and follow the lagoon markers past the Haapiti pier and Opaura ZMRs. Sand 5–10 m. Shore access by dinghy at Haapiti pier. Grocery in Vaianae; Snack Autea nearby; waterfall walk (about 30 min) behind the village; good anemone and clownfish snorkelling. Legal status (Oct 2026): the ZMR quotas come from arrêté 910 CM of 26 June 2025, which the Administrative Tribunal of French Polynesia annulled on 15 July 2026 (case 2500441, brought by the Association des Voiliers en Polynésie); the anchoring articles of the 2021 PGEM were also annulled by the Paris appeal court with effect from 1 June 2026. Noonsite (Aug 2026) reports the restrictions are not currently ratified and talks between AVP and local groups are ongoing. Until a replacement rule is published, treat the ZMR quotas and 48-hour limit as the expected good practice, check escales.gov.pf or call DPAM (40 54 45 78, 24/7) before arriving, and expect the nautical patrol (87 704 657) to ask about your stay.
Best for
Remote-feeling anchorage, Avarapa surf (experts)
Season
E–SE trades; exposed in S–W swell
Nearby
- ZMR d'Opaura (Haapiti, Moorea)0.4 NM away
- Snack Autea (Vaianae)1 NM away
- ZMR Haapiti Pier (Moorea)1.1 NM away
- Haapiti Pier (dinghy landing)1.3 NM away
- Spinner Dolphin Resting Area (Haapiti)1.6 NM away
- Haapiti Surf Break (Matauvau Pass)1.8 NM away
- Sainte Famille Church (Haapiti)1.8 NM away
- Arii Restaurant (Maatea)2.6 NM away