Raiatea Faaroa Bay
Faaroa anchorage · Marae Taputapuatea approach
16°46.4'S 151°23.4'W
Depth
5–15m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m for excellent holding in mud in 5–15m. The most sheltered anchorage on Raiatea — can reduce to 55m in the inner bay. Mud provides excellent holding once the anchor is set. Ideal if a storm is forecast.
About This Anchorage
Faaroa Bay on Raiatea's east coast is one of the most special anchorages in the Society Islands — a deeply sheltered river bay (the only navigable river in French Polynesia) with excellent mud holding and extraordinary historical significance. Marae Taputapuatea — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most sacred marae (stone temple) in all of Polynesia — sits at the head of the bay. This was the spiritual and political centre of the ancient Polynesian world; it was from here that the great voyaging canoes departed to settle Hawaii, New Zealand, and beyond. The bay is calm even in strong SE trades, beautifully forested, and sees very few visitors. The anchorage is a powerful, moving place.
Protected From
N · NE · E · S · SE · W
Exposed To
NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring.
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No anchoring on coral. Respect the UNESCO World Heritage Marae Taputapuatea site — no damage to the marae stones; a warden may be present. Navigate the approach carefully.
Hazards
- !Approach navigation — coral reef on the approach to Faaroa Bay; use chart and enter in good light
- !No facilities — carry all provisions from Uturoa
- !Insects (mosquitoes, sandflies) in the river bay — particularly at dusk; have screens and repellent ready
- !Limited mobile coverage in the bay
Skipper's Tips
- →Visit Marae Taputapuatea early morning or at sunset — the golden light on the ancient coral stones and the silence of the jungle is profoundly moving
- →Take a dinghy up the Faaroa River — it is navigable for several kilometres into the interior; an extraordinary Polynesian landscape
- →This is one of the few truly quiet anchorages in the Society Islands — a night here is a complete contrast to the busy Papeete or Bora Bora scene
- →The holding in mud is excellent — if a squall is forecast, this is one of the most secure anchorages on Raiatea
Facilities
No facilities at Faaroa Bay. Nearest provisioning at Uturoa (8nm north by lagoon). Carry all provisions.
Nearest provisions: Uturoa (8nm north by lagoon) (8nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
May–October. One of the most historically significant and peaceful anchorages in the Society Islands. The combination of excellent shelter, good holding, and profound historical context makes this unmissable.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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