Raiatea - General Info
Where is Raiatea?
Raiatea lies about 209 kms (130 miles) NW of Tahiti and 40 kms (25 miles) from Huahine or Bora Bora. It is the second of the Society Islands in geographic size, population, available supplies and marine services.
Entry Notes and Cautions for Raiatea:
- The leading marks and main marks between the pass and the port are lit.
- In July 2023, the Directorate of Maritime Affairs of French Polynesia (DPAM) announced the creation of new No-Anchoring Zones for Raiatea (and Tahaa). See anchoring restrictions in the Docking section.
- Raiatea has no more public garbage cans and this is a big problem for all the residents of the island and for transient yachts. See more details in the Docking section.
- Cruisers are not being welcomed with open arms here so proceed with caution.
Cruiser Highlights for Raiatea:
It has rugged mountains, deep water bays and a myriad of anchorages protected by a barrier reef. Nearly every part of the coastline is accessible by boat, which makes Raiatea interesting if avoiding rough weather by cruising to the off-wind opposite side of the island.
The town of Uturoa serves as the administrative center for the Leeward Islands. It has modern dock facilities and is a good place to work on the boat, to leave your boat for a while and to provision before your departure for the Cook Islands.
Raiatea has one of the largest “marae” (sacred site) in Polynesia, the original centre of Polynesian culture. Called Taputapuatea, it has just been named a UNESCO heritage site and is well worth a visit.
The Island’s mascot is the tupa (land crab), it’s image is featured on all the local island and city insignia.
Position – marina entrance:
16°43.44’S, 151°26.86’W
Last updated: July 2023
Read and Post Related Comments
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
Next Section: Profile: Clearance
Related to following destinations: French Polynesia, Raiatea, Society Islands
Port Navigation
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.comMain Ports - French Polynesia
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.com
Some information about garbage collection in Raiatea from Olivier, the AVP representative:
All common garbage bins on the island are now under lock and key. The authority managing garbage collection (ComCom) has decided to increase significantly it’s price to professional (shops, garages, shipyards, …), and link the price to the volume of garbage. As a result all professionals have locked up their garbage cans.
Private garbage cans are only visible on the day of collection, and are not for common use.
No more garbage cans in town anywhere.
A memo was issued by the president of the ComCom warning that passing yachts are not to deposit any garbage anywhere, but must come to PK 14 West (near Tumaraa) to pay a 9000 francs fee prior to being allowed to deposit garbage. Any wild deposit will lead to a 4000+ francs fee.
This of course does not mean that garbage will disappear, and cannot be accepted by the sailing community. As a result, attempts are underway to find solutions. The first initiative comes from the “residents” on anchor in front of the shipyards (carenage), which have agreed to pay jointly for a large bin to collect garbage. This is primarily for the boats on anchor there, and as a priority for those who have contributed.
However, passing boats are allowed to drop their garbage if there is room in the bin, AND (and this is most important), the garbage must be separated from the recycle (glass, plastic bottles, metal cans), which must go into the recycle bins available throughout the island. Any garbage bag that is not properly segregated leads to a 14 000 fine, and obviously the resident yachts will not want to foot that as well.
More initiatives are under review, possibly with financing coming from the AVP (one bin is under consideration next to the Shell station), but again, this will only work with proper discipline from the users. I’ll revert on that
Boats taking a mooring or a berth at Apooiti marina will have access to the marina bins (which are now also under lock and key). Passing boats are requested not to drop any garbage at the marina.
The risk, of course, is that these drastic measures will lead to wild garbage disposal. This would in turn again put our community under the wrong light, and a more perennial solution must be found.
On a more positive side: Old oil and batteries can be dropped at PK14 West at the ComCom at no cost. Just inform the staff at the ground level office. Professionnals do not enjoy this “privilege”…
More to come as it becomes available.
Olivier
SY Mary Ann
The marina project in Raiatea (about 100 places) is moving forward, but opposition from locals is getting louder. “No marina”, “Save our lagoon” and other signs are popping up everywhere around the planned location, just like last time (3 years ago). This time, the municipal government has done all the locals wanted, i.e. a very extensive environmental survey, impact assessment, current analysis etc. The outcome again depends on the political will of the municipality, the FP territorial authority and the French government.
The marinas are indeed small and mostly full of local and charter boats but it is possible to get a berth on the visitor dock on a first come first served basis. Best is to email them or phone them.
Ituroa Marina: There are now charter catamarans on mooring buoys outside the entrance and we couldn’t see where one could anchor with a safe swing radius.
Apooiti Marina: There are many mooring buoys outside the entrance which can be taken if free then register at the marina office (VHF 12 appears to be monitored here). We took a buoy on the first night then went in to check for availability. The visitor doc was full (fits 4-5 boats max) but we could med moor to the outside wall. There is good depth near the middle and depending on your stern design you may be able to go stern-to and fit a passerelle otherwise bow-in and use the dinghy. The exterior wall is used by charter boats in the high season so there may not be spaces here depending on the time of the year. We were there in February 2020.
Anchoring:
Many boats now anchor on the shallower depths between the 2 islands inside the reef. If your draft is 2m or less there are lots of options.
Miri Miri is to be avoided amongst others. Yachts are not welcome there.
Posted on behalf of SY Domino:
Motu Aito – 16°42.742S – 151°26.466W – We anchored at Motu Aito, the artificial motu across from Uturoa. This has become somewhat of a controversial anchorage with the locals.
Long-term cruisers, especially the ones who have registered their children in Uturoa schools, have elected this site as their quasi-permanent anchorage. The locals have a tendency to see them as “squatters.”
The main issue is with local water taxis and shuttles who use the channel north of Motu Aito, a channel often obstructed by the yachts at anchor. Fed-up with the not-so-nice attitude of a few cruisers, the locals are asking for a ban on this anchorage.
It would be nice if the city installed mooring balls, just as they have in other places, or designate a safe anchorage for long-term cruisers. But for now, we can still anchor at Motu Aito.
Posted on behalf of SV A-Train (Vancouver, BC)
In need of some mainsail repairs, we found in Noonsite, information on a highly recommended shop called Voilerie Aveia in Raiatea. The owner is Régine Faux and we met with Regine and dropped off our sail a few days ago.
We received a quote via email in less than 24 hours and pricing is very reasonable.
We will post more feedback when the repairs have been completed.
Gwen and Russ Hobbs