Bora Bora Motu Toopua
Toopua anchorage · Bora Bora west motu
16°30.8'S 151°46.5'W
Depth
4–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m for good holding in 4–12m sand. Well-sheltered from the dominant E/SE trades by the combination of motu and main island. W/SW exposure is rarely a problem under normal trade conditions.
About This Anchorage
Motu Toopua is a large motu (reef islet) on the western side of the Bora Bora lagoon, separated from the main island by a navigable channel. Anchoring in this channel provides excellent shelter from the dominant easterly trade winds with the combination of the motu to the west and the main island's volcanic mass to the east. The St Regis Bora Bora Resort — one of the world's most luxurious hotels — is situated on Motu Toopua with its famous overwater bungalows extending into the lagoon. The Mount Otemanu views from this anchorage are among the finest in the lagoon. The channel is quiet, with generally good holding in sand.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE
Exposed To
W · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in sand.
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No anchoring on coral — sand only. Avoid the St Regis Resort's overwater bungalow area. Do not anchor in the resort's designated water-sports areas.
Hazards
- !Resort tender traffic — high-speed tenders from the St Regis move at speed; maintain vigilance
- !Coral bommies — snorkel to verify anchor placement before leaving boat unattended
- !Shallow areas near the motu edges — stay in the channel
Skipper's Tips
- →The Mount Otemanu view from the Motu Toopua anchorage at sunrise is one of the iconic images of the Pacific
- →The channel is generally quieter than the Vaitape anchorage — good for those wanting Mount Otemanu views without the charter boat traffic
- →Snorkelling off the motu edges is excellent — clear water, coral, and good fish life
- →Vaitape town (2.5nm east) is easily reached by dinghy for provisioning
Facilities
No public facilities at Motu Toopua anchorage. Nearest provisioning at Vaitape (2.5nm east). The St Regis Restaurant is accessible to non-guests at significant cost.
Nearest provisions: Vaitape town (2.5nm east by dinghy) (2.5nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
May–October. A beautiful and relatively quiet anchorage with the best Mount Otemanu views in the lagoon.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
In Bora Bora's shallow lagoon, anchor drag at night means coral bommies in the dark. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — protecting your vessel while you sleep under the stars of the South Pacific.
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