Tikehau Village Anchorage
Tuherahera anchorage · Tikehau main anchorage
15°00.1'S 148°13.8'W
Depth
5–15m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding in 5–15m sand. Enter Tuheiava Pass at slack water only. E/SE trade wind exposure — in fresh trades, some chop in the anchorage. 80m alarm appropriate.
About This Anchorage
Tikehau is one of the Tuamotu atolls that receives far fewer visitors than Rangiroa (45nm northeast) yet offers comparable — some say superior — diving and snorkelling in a more intimate setting. The lagoon is smaller than Rangiroa but the fish life is extraordinary — studies have suggested Tikehau has one of the highest fish densities of any Tuamotu atoll. Pink sand beaches line parts of the barrier reef. The village of Tuherahera has a small school, guesthouse accommodation, and basic provisions. Tuheiava Pass is the only entry — enter at slack water. A wonderful, less-crowded alternative to the better-known atolls.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW
Exposed To
E · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in sand.
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: ENTER TUHEIAVA PASS AT SLACK WATER ONLY — current 2–4kt. No anchoring on coral — sand only. Navigate lagoon in good light only.
Hazards
- !TUHEIAVA PASS CURRENT — 2–4kt; ENTER AT SLACK WATER ONLY
- !Atoll approach — Tikehau is invisible until close range; approach on GPS waypoints
- !Limited provisions and fuel — carry everything from Rangiroa or Papeete
- !No anchoring on coral — sand only; snorkel to verify
Skipper's Tips
- →Tikehau is one of the Pacific's great 'secret' anchorages — comparable diving to Rangiroa with a fraction of the boat traffic
- →The pink sand beaches of Tikehau's motu are extraordinary — visible from the anchored boat
- →Manta ray sightings in the pass are common — plan to snorkel the pass channel during the incoming current
- →The transit from Rangiroa to Tikehau is 45nm of open Pacific — a straightforward day passage in SE trades
Facilities
Guesthouses in Tuherahera village offer meals. Very limited provisions at village store. Diving operators. Carry supplies from Rangiroa or Papeete.
Nearest provisions: Tuherahera village (very limited store) (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
May–October. Tikehau is the best-kept secret of the central Tuamotus — highly recommended for sailors wanting an authentic atoll experience without crowds.
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.
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