Papeete Marina
Marina de Papeete · Papeete Port de Plaisance
17°32.2'S 149°33.8'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m for marina berth or nearby anchorage. Very sheltered in the marina — 60m provides sufficient alarm margin. The occasional NW swell from distant storms is the main disturbance; in NW conditions tighten to 45m.
About This Anchorage
Papeete Marina is the undisputed hub of cruising in French Polynesia — the main port of entry for the Pacific, home to customs and immigration, and the best provisioning in the South Pacific outside of New Zealand or Hawaii. The marina sits right on the Papeete waterfront boulevard (Quai de Moorea), lined with roulettes (food trucks serving cheap, excellent Tahitian street food), shops, a covered market, and the Carrefour supermarket. Taina Marina to the west has additional facilities. Check in here before sailing anywhere else in French Polynesia. The marina is managed by the Port de Papeete authority — call VHF 12 on approach. July's Heiva Festival brings extraordinary Polynesian dance and music performances to the nearby Place Vai'ete but fills every berth in Papeete. The Papeete waterfront has been extensively renovated and is now an attractive cruising destination in its own right.
Protected From
N · E · S · W
Exposed To
NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Marina berth fees apply — approx. XPF 2,500–5,000/night depending on vessel size. Some free anchoring in roadstead to the east.
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Entry formalities: passport, ship's papers, crew list. Non-EU vessels may need repatriation bond or travel insurance proof. Cruising permit (carte de sortie) required for inter-island travel.
Restrictions: Official port of entry — Q flag mandatory until cleared. Customs and immigration must be cleared before departing. Gendarmerie maritime patrols regularly. No anchoring on coral anywhere in French Polynesia.
Hazards
- !Ferry traffic and inter-island cargo ships — major vessel movements in and out of Papeete harbour at all hours
- !Heiva Festival (July) — marina completely packed; reserve berth well in advance or anchor in roadstead
- !NW swell from distant Pacific storms can make the waterfront uncomfortable — monitor forecasts
- !Coral bommies (scattered coral heads) in approaches outside the dredged channels — use SHOM charts
- !Cyclone season November–April — depart before end of October
Skipper's Tips
- →Clear customs and immigration on arrival before doing anything else — the officials' offices are right on the marina waterfront; bring all crew passports and vessel documentation
- →The roulettes (food trucks) on Quai de Moorea open at 18:00 and offer the best-value, most authentic Tahitian meals in the country — poisson cru (raw fish in coconut milk) is unmissable
- →Carrefour supermarket is a 10-minute walk from the marina — stock up here before heading to the outer islands where provisions are expensive and limited
- →Taina Marina (5nm west) is often less crowded and has good haul-out facilities — consider it if Papeete Marina is full
- →Ferry to Moorea departs from the quay every 30 minutes — a Moorea day trip is possible from Papeete if waiting for weather or paperwork
Facilities
Roulettes (food trucks) on the waterfront open evenings — excellent and inexpensive Tahitian food. Full range of restaurants and cafes in central Papeete. Carrefour supermarket (one of French Polynesia's best-stocked). Covered market (Marché de Papeete) for fresh produce, fish, and crafts.
Nearest provisions: Papeete town centre (Carrefour, Marché) (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
May–October (southeast trade wind season, lower cyclone risk). July particularly busy due to Heiva Festival. Avoid November–April cyclone season for extended stays.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
In French Polynesia, coral bommies invisible at night can destroy a hull in minutes. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — protecting your vessel in the most beautiful waters on Earth.
Download Free for iOS