Bora Bora Motu Piti Aau
Motu Piti Aau anchorage · Bora Bora east motu
16°31.1'S 151°42.8'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m for good holding in 3–8m sand. Shallow lagoon — relatively short scope needed. E/SE exposure — in fresh SE trades, some chop may develop. 70m appropriate.
About This Anchorage
Motu Piti Aau is a small reef islet on the eastern barrier reef of Bora Bora — the outer ring of coral that encircles the entire lagoon. Anchoring inside the reef channel adjacent to this motu puts you on the quietest, most remote-feeling part of the Bora Bora lagoon, despite being only 2.5nm from Vaitape. The water here is extraordinary in clarity and colour — shallow enough to see individual coral heads from the deck. The snorkelling off the motu's outer reef is among the best in the Bora Bora lagoon. The location gives an authentic glimpse of what the lagoon was like before the resort development of the 1970s–1980s. Very few charter boats venture to the eastern motu anchorages.
Protected From
W · SW · NW · N
Exposed To
E · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in sand.
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No anchoring on coral — sand only. Navigate through the shallow eastern lagoon in good light. Snorkel to verify anchor placement.
Hazards
- !Shallow eastern lagoon navigation — use chart and good light; bommies throughout
- !E/SE trade wind exposure — fresh trades create chop on this exposed side of the lagoon
- !No facilities — self-sufficient
Skipper's Tips
- →The outer reef snorkelling at Motu Piti Aau is outstanding — black-tipped reef sharks, eagle rays, and pristine coral
- →One of the few genuinely quiet spots in the Bora Bora lagoon — very few charter boats venture here
- →Navigate to the motu midday when the sun is overhead for the best visibility through the shallow water
Facilities
No facilities. Nearest provisioning at Vaitape (2.5nm west). Carry all provisions. Remote and self-sufficient.
Nearest provisions: Vaitape town (2.5nm west) (2.5nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
May–October. The most remote and pristine of the Bora Bora lagoon anchorages — a reward for those willing to navigate the shallow eastern section.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
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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