Rangiroa Avatoru Pass
Avatoru anchorage · Rangiroa northwest pass anchorage
14°58.9'S 147°37.9'W
Depth
8–20m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m for good holding in 8–20m sand. Deep water requires significant scope — calculate 5:1 or more. Coral bommies require snorkel to verify placement. The strong pass current affects the anchorage when the pass is running — monitor anchor carefully during tidal changes. 90m alarm appropriate given the depths and current influence.
About This Anchorage
Rangiroa is the second-largest atoll in the world — 75km long and 25km wide — yet it sits so low that it cannot be seen until you are within 10nm. The Avatoru Pass on the northwest coast is one of two navigable passes into the lagoon (the other being Tiputa, 8nm to the east). The pass is spectacular but powerful — currents reach 3–6 knots on spring tides. Entry MUST be at slack water. Once inside, the Rangiroa lagoon is an inland sea — so large that a separate weather system can develop inside it. Avatoru village is the main settlement with a small supermarket, restaurants, a gendarmerie, and the famous Blue Lagoon excursion departure point. The diving and snorkelling here is world-class — Rangiroa is on most serious divers' bucket lists.
Protected From
N · NW · W · S
Exposed To
E · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in sand.
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- French Polynesia cruising permit required. Report to Gendarmerie at Avatoru village on arrival.
Restrictions: ENTER AVATORU PASS AT SLACK WATER ONLY — current 3–6kt on flood/ebb; dangerous in any significant current. No anchoring on coral. Navigate lagoon in good light only — extensive bommies.
Hazards
- !AVATORU PASS CURRENT — 3–6kt on spring tides; ENTER AT SLACK WATER ONLY. Calculate tide carefully — a 30-minute error can mean entering with full current
- !Atoll approach — Rangiroa is invisible until 10nm; approach on GPS waypoints only, not visually
- !Coral bommies throughout the lagoon — navigate only in good light (10:00–14:00) with polarised sunglasses
- !Deep anchorage (8–20m) — calculate scope; ensure anchor is set in sand not on bommie
- !Limited provisions and fuel — carry everything from Papeete (200nm); do not arrive expecting to resupply
Skipper's Tips
- →Study the pass before entering — watch the current direction from the outside for 10 minutes; do not enter until you can see slack beginning
- →The Blue Lagoon excursion (a shallow inner lagoon within the main lagoon) is spectacular — join a local boat tour
- →Diving with the manta rays and sharks at the pass is genuinely world-class — book with one of the local dive operators
- →The anchorage inside Avatoru is deepest near the village — use the shortest rode that gives security given the depth
- →Morning passages inside the Rangiroa lagoon to Tiputa (8nm east) are straightforward — travel between the two passes in good light
Facilities
Small supermarket and restaurants in Avatoru village. Diving operators. Pension (guesthouse) accommodation. Very limited fuel supply — plan from Papeete.
Nearest provisions: Avatoru village (small supermarket) (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
May–October. The Tuamotus are a major cruising destination but require careful preparation. June–August is peak season for cruising yachts. Cyclone season November–April — leave well before end of October.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
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