Maupiti Lagoon
Maupiti anchorage · Vaiea village anchorage
16°26.8'S 152°15.5'W
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding in 4–10m sand. The difficulty is getting in — once anchored inside the calm Maupiti lagoon, this is a serene and beautiful spot. Check anchor firmly set before leaving boat.
About This Anchorage
Maupiti is often called the 'miniature Bora Bora' — a tiny, spectacularly beautiful island with a volcanic peak (Hotu Parata, 380m), a turquoise lagoon, and a population of only around 1,200 people. Unlike Bora Bora, Maupiti has no large resort hotels and retains an authentic Polynesian character. The challenge is the pass: Onoiau Pass is narrow, subject to powerful wave surge when any swell is running, and completely unnavigable in northerly or westerly conditions. Enter ONLY at slack water when the swell is below 1.5m — check Windy or PredictWind carefully. The rewards are extraordinary: an uncrowded, pristine lagoon, genuine Polynesian hospitality (guesthouses rather than resorts), and one of the most beautiful small anchorages in the Pacific.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S
Exposed To
W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in sand.
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Onoiau Pass: enter ONLY at slack water when swell is below 1.5m — pass is dangerous in any significant swell. No anchoring on coral. Navigate lagoon in good light only — extensive bommies.
Hazards
- !ONOIAU PASS — THE CRITICAL HAZARD: Very narrow pass with powerful wave surge when swell is running. Enter ONLY at slack water with swell below 1.5m. Study the pass from outside before committing — turn around if in doubt
- !Swell conditions: check Windy.com or PredictWind 24 hours before approach — do NOT attempt in northerly or westerly swell
- !Coral bommies throughout the lagoon — navigate only between 10:00 and 14:00 with sun overhead and polarised sunglasses
- !Remote location — if something goes wrong, assistance is very far away; ensure boat and crew are fully prepared
Skipper's Tips
- →Check the swell forecast obsessively before approaching Maupiti — the pass is genuinely dangerous in any swell; patience is rewarded
- →The pension (guesthouse) hosts of Maupiti are among the most welcoming people in French Polynesia — accept their invitation for a meal
- →The hike to the summit of Hotu Parata is strenuous but the view over the lagoon and surrounding ocean is extraordinary
- →Very few cruising yachts visit Maupiti — you may have the lagoon nearly to yourself, which makes the effort entirely worthwhile
- →Snorkelling in the Maupiti lagoon is pristine — manta rays are regular visitors in the shallower areas
Facilities
Small guesthouses (pensions) in Vaiea village offer meals — genuinely authentic Polynesian hospitality. No fuel or water at the anchorage. Basic provisions at the village store.
Nearest provisions: Vaiea village (basic store) (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
May–October only. The pass limits visits to periods of low swell — June and September typically have the calmest conditions. Maupiti is the highlight of the Leeward Islands for adventurous sailors.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
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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