French Polynesia’s marina and anchorage infrastructure ranges from full-service facilities in Papeete to rope-and-rock arrangements in remote Marquesan bays. Understanding what to expect at each island — and what you need to organize in advance — is the difference between a relaxed Society Islands circuit and a frustrating logistics problem.
This guide surveys the main berthing options across the archipelagos most commonly visited by cruising yachts: the Society Islands, Marquesas, and Tuamotus.
Society Islands
The Society Islands form the core of the French Polynesia yacht circuit. Most crews base-camp here after clearing customs in the Marquesas and transiting the Tuamotus.
Tahiti (Papeete and Punaauia)
Tahiti offers two main options for yacht berthing:
Quai des Yachts (Papeete boulevard quay): Mediterranean stern-to mooring along the main waterfront boulevard. Central location, social atmosphere, walking distance to market and city services. Shore power availability limited. Noise from the boulevard through the evening. Fees collected by the Port Autonome de Papeete.
Marina Taina (Punaauia): Private marina 8 km west of the city center. Full marina berths with walk-ashore access. Proximity to Carrefour hypermarket makes it the preferred choice for provisioning runs. Quieter than the city quay. Access to Papeete requires a vehicle or bus (le truck).
Tahiti Yacht Club anchorage (Arue): The Tahiti Yacht Club in Arue, on the northeast side of Papeete harbor, offers moorings and anchorage for members and visitors. The club has a travel lift for haul-outs. Smaller and quieter than the central quay.
Moorea
Moorea’s two main bays — Cook’s Bay (Baie de Cook) and Opunohu Bay (Baie d’Opunohu) — are among the most photographed anchorages in the Pacific, with volcanic peaks rising directly from the water behind the calm lagoon.
Cook’s Bay: The more developed of the two bays, with a small village, restaurants, and some cruiser services. Anchorage is generally good holding in sand and mud. The bay is exposed to northerly swell on occasion; anchor with this in mind.
Opunohu Bay: Less developed, more dramatic scenery. The inner bay offers excellent protected anchorage. No commercial services immediately adjacent — the appeal is the scenery and quiet. A short dinghy ride to the shore gives access to hiking trails.
Vaiare Bay (ferry terminal): The inter-island ferry port. Not a cruising anchorage but useful for crew changes.
Huahine
Huahine is often cited by experienced Pacific cruisers as one of the most characterful islands in the Society group — authentic culture, excellent snorkeling, and fewer tourists than Bora Bora. The main anchorage is at Fare, the island’s small commercial center, with good holding in sand behind the reef.
A second anchorage on the south island (Huahine Iti) at Haapu Bay offers more seclusion. The pass from the lagoon to Huahine Iti is manageable in settled conditions.
Provisioning in Fare is modest — a small supermarket and the local market cover basics. Stock up in Papeete before arriving.
Raiatea and Tahaa
Raiatea and Tahaa share a lagoon enclosed by a common barrier reef — one of the more unusual geographic arrangements in the Pacific. The lagoon is large enough that yachts can spend weeks exploring without retracing their path.
Raiatea (Uturoa): The main port and provisioning center for the Leeward Society Islands. Uturoa has a reasonable supermarket, a fuel dock, chandlery, and the Raiatea Carenage boat yard — one of the better haul-out facilities in French Polynesia outside Papeete. Several yacht charter bases operate from Raiatea, making it the northwest circuit’s primary hub.
Faaroa Bay (Raiatea): Reputed to be the only navigable river in French Polynesia — small boats and dinghies can explore inland along the Faaroa River. The bay anchorage is quiet and sheltered.
Tahaa: The less-visited partner island to Raiatea. A circuit of Tahaa inside the lagoon, visiting motus (reef islets) and remote anchorages, is one of the more peaceful experiences in the Society Islands. Vanilla cultivation is significant on Tahaa — the island produces some of the world’s most prized vanilla.
Bora Bora
Bora Bora is the most internationally famous destination in French Polynesia and the most popular final stop before the Westward passage to the Cook Islands or Tonga. The lagoon is spectacular — a large, protected body of crystal water with the dramatic outline of Mount Otemanu at its center.
Vaitape: The main village and check-in port for Bora Bora. Gendarmerie here handles any outstanding immigration matters. Vaitape has a supermarket, fuel, and basic services.
Mooring fields: Numerous mooring buoys are available in various locations around the lagoon, offered by resort hotels and independent operators. Always check the condition of a mooring before using it — buoys vary significantly in quality.
Anchorages: Several anchorage spots in the lagoon offer good holding. The most popular are near the hotels on the northwest motus, but space can be limited in peak season (July–August).
Departure clearance: Bora Bora is commonly the last French Polynesian port before the westward passage. Obtain your zarpe (departure clearance) from the Vaitape gendarmerie with your intended destination and crew list.
For full detail on the Teavanui Pass entry, choosing a mooring, and the departure clearance process, see our dedicated Bora Bora sailing guide.
Marquesas
The Marquesas lack enclosed lagoons — they are high volcanic islands exposed to ocean swell rather than atoll formations. Berthing is at anchor in bays with variable protection.
Taiohae Bay (Nuku Hiva): The primary Marquesan anchorage and the main port of entry. Good protection in the southern portion of the bay; the northern section can be exposed to swell. The village of Taiohae has a small supermarket, a chandlery of limited stock, a fuel dock, and gendarmerie. Internet is available (slow by metropolitan standards). Tahiti-bound supply ships call regularly.
Atuona (Hiva Oa): The second major Marquesan port and entry point. The anchorage off the commercial quay can be rolly in swell. The village has provisions, a small fuel dock, and access to the Gauguin and Brel memorial sites.
Remote Marquesan bays: The Marquesas’ greatest appeal to many sailors is the dramatic isolation of bays like Hanavave on Fatu Hiva, Anaho on Nuku Hiva, or the various anchorages on Ua Huka and Ua Pou. Services are minimal or absent — this is pure remote Pacific cruising.
Tuamotu Atolls
The Tuamotus have no marinas. Berthing is at anchor inside atoll lagoons, accessed through passes in the surrounding reef. Pass navigation requires careful timing relative to tidal currents — the currents can run at 5–6 knots or more and will stop a slow yacht cold.
Key atoll anchorages are described in the Marquesas to Tahiti route guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Society Island is the best base for an extended stay?
It depends on priorities. For full services, haul-out options, and provisioning, Papeete (Tahiti) is the clear answer. For a balance of services and natural beauty, Raiatea with its yacht club facilities and lagoon access is popular for extended stays. For pure scenery and anchorage quality, Moorea’s bays are exceptional but services are limited.
Is it possible to charter a yacht in French Polynesia rather than bringing our own?
Yes. Raiatea is the primary bareboat charter base in French Polynesia, with several international companies (Moorings, Dream Yacht, Sunsail, and local operators) offering fleets there. Moorea and Tahiti also have charter options. The Leeward Islands circuit — Raiatea, Tahaa, Huahine, Bora Bora — is the classic week-long charter itinerary.
How far in advance should we arrange marina berths in peak season?
For July–August peak season in Papeete and Bora Bora, advance contact is recommended, particularly for larger vessels. Outside peak season, most anchorages and marinas can accommodate arrivals on short notice, though the quay in Papeete can reach capacity during major local events (Heiva festival, Hawaiki Nui Va’a race).
What is the typical sequence for a Society Islands cruise?
The classic circuit, eastbound to westbound, follows: Tahiti (Papeete) → Moorea → Huahine → Raiatea/Tahaa → Bora Bora. Most crews then depart for the Cook Islands (Rarotonga or Suwarrow), Niue, Tonga, or Fiji from Bora Bora — see our Tahiti to Cook Islands sailing route guide for the details of that specific crossing. The circuit can be reversed (westbound to eastbound) but requires working against the prevailing trade winds — much harder sailing.
Do we need to check in with the gendarmerie at each island?
No — your initial entry stamp and cruising permit cover the Society Islands as a group (assuming your permit was issued to cover them). You do not need to check in separately at Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, or Bora Bora. You do need to obtain a zarpe before departing French Polynesian waters entirely.