Manihi Pearl Farm Lagoon
Manihi anchorage · Paeua anchorage
14°26.0'S 146°04.0'W
Depth
5–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding in 5–12m sand. Avoid pearl farm long-lines when anchoring — they can foul anchor chain. Enter Tairapa Pass at slack water. E/NE exposure — in fresh trades, some chop.
About This Anchorage
Manihi is the Tuamotu archipelago's most famous pearl-farming atoll — hundreds of pearl farms operate in the protected lagoon, cultivating the prized Tahitian black pearls. The pearl-farm infrastructure (floats, long-lines, growing baskets) is visible throughout the lagoon and requires careful navigation. Paeua village on the northwest motu is a small but genuine community with a guesthouse, small store, and the atmosphere of a working pearl-farming town. Tairapa Pass is the single entry — enter at slack water. Visiting the pearl farms is a genuine experience — the process of nucleation, cultivation, and harvesting can be observed at most farms, and pearls are available directly at farm prices (significantly cheaper than Papeete).
Protected From
N · NW · W · S
Exposed To
E · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in sand.
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: ENTER TAIRAPA PASS AT SLACK WATER ONLY — current 3–5kt. No anchoring on coral — sand only. Navigate around pearl farm long-lines and buoys — do NOT anchor near active farm infrastructure.
Hazards
- !TAIRAPA PASS CURRENT — 3–5kt; ENTER AT SLACK WATER ONLY
- !Pearl farm infrastructure — long-lines and buoys throughout the lagoon; anchor clear of all farm structures to avoid fouling
- !Atoll approach — Manihi invisible until close range; GPS waypoints essential
- !Limited provisions — carry everything from Rangiroa (85nm) or Papeete
Skipper's Tips
- →Visit a pearl farm — the cultivation process is fascinating and buying directly saves 40–60% compared to Papeete jewellery shops
- →Manihi has some of the finest Tahitian black pearls available direct — genuine bargains compared to tourist prices elsewhere
- →The diving around Manihi is excellent — good fish life and reef quality despite the relatively small lagoon
- →The 85nm passage from Rangiroa to Manihi is an offshore crossing — plan for a full night at sea; the SE trades are reliable
Facilities
Guesthouse in Paeua village offers accommodation and meals. Small store with basic provisions. Pearl farms accessible for tours and direct purchase. Limited fuel — carry from Rangiroa or Papeete.
Nearest provisions: Paeua village (small store) (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
May–October. Manihi is a rewarding off-the-beaten-path destination combining authentic atoll life with the unique pearl-farming culture.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
In a remote Tuamotu atoll lagoon, dragging onto coral bommies at night with no assistance for hundreds of miles is a catastrophe. Safety Anchor Alarm is the most important safety tool on your boat in these waters — after your life raft.
Download Free for iOS