Bora Bora Lagoon — Vaitape
Vaitape anchorage · Bora Bora main anchorage
16°30.5'S 151°44.5'W
Depth
3–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding in 3–10m sand. Coral bommies require careful anchor placement — snorkel to verify before setting. In afternoon W breeze the anchorage can develop a chop. Monitor anchor carefully in charter-boat traffic.
About This Anchorage
The main Bora Bora lagoon anchorage off Vaitape village is the administrative centre of what the French call 'la perle du Pacifique' — the pearl of the Pacific. Bora Bora's lagoon is arguably the most famous in the world — an extraordinary palette of turquoise and jade over white sand and coral, dominated by the towering volcanic peak of Mount Otemanu (727m) rising from the centre. The pass entry is from the north only (Passe de Tevairoa) — there is no other way in. Once inside, the lagoon is a world unto itself. Vaitape is the main town with a supermarket, restaurants, the Gendarmerie (for customs formalities), and ferry connections to Raiatea. The anchorage sees heavy charter traffic throughout the season. The views of Otemanu from the anchorage are extraordinary.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S
Exposed To
W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in sand. Some resort mooring buoys available at nightly rates.
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- French Polynesia entry formalities at Vaitape Gendarmerie. Standard entry documentation required.
Restrictions: No anchoring on coral — sand patches only; snorkel to verify. Entry via Passe de Tevairoa (north) ONLY — no other passes exist. Check in with Gendarmerie at Vaitape on arrival if first port in French Polynesia.
Hazards
- !Coral bommies throughout the lagoon — 0.5–2m below surface; navigate only in good light (10:00–14:00) with polarised sunglasses
- !Shallow areas in the lagoon — 1–3m in places; use depth sounder and chart continuously
- !Pass entry (Passe de Tevairoa, north) — reef on both sides; enter with current chart waypoints
- !Extremely busy charter traffic — dozens of boats at anchor simultaneously; collision risk from inexperienced charterers
- !Resort boat traffic — motorised tenders from overwater bungalow resorts create constant wake
Skipper's Tips
- →Enter Passe de Tevairoa from the north with the sun behind you (10:00–14:00) for the best visibility of coral heads
- →Snorkel your anchor chain after setting — the lagoon is so clear that verifying sand placement takes only 5 minutes
- →Mount Otemanu at sunrise from the cockpit is one of the great sights of the South Pacific — set your alarm for 05:30
- →The overwater bungalow resorts (Four Seasons, Conrad, St Regis) offer day passes for visiting sailors — worth it once
- →Chin Lee supermarket in Vaitape is the best-stocked on the island — provision here for any further passage
Facilities
Several restaurants and a supermarket (Chin Lee) in Vaitape town. Fuel dock available. Ferry connections to Raiatea and Papeete.
Nearest provisions: Vaitape town (Chin Lee supermarket) (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
May–October. Extremely popular — the most visited anchorage in the Society Islands. July–August is peak season. Cyclone season November–April.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
In Bora Bora's shallow lagoon, anchor drag at night means coral bommies in the dark. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — protecting your vessel while you sleep under the stars of the South Pacific.
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