Motu Mahaea Cruise Port
Taha'a, French Polynesia · Pacific
Cruise ships anchor offshore in Taha'a — tenders ferry passengers to the port.
Plan my port daysTender-only beach stop on a tiny motu off Taha'a. The cruise line lays on food, drinks, loungers and snorkel gear; there is no town, shop, ATM or taxi, and no way to reach Taha'a on your own. Plan to spend the whole call on the motu.
At a glance
Port summary
There is no harbour at Motu Mahaea. Your ship anchors in the sheltered lagoon on Taha'a's east side, close to Passe Toahotu, and runs tenders or Zodiacs to the beach of this small coral islet. On Windstar sailings the day is the line's included private beach party: loungers and shade, a barbecue lunch, a bar set up in the shallows, and kayaks, paddleboards and snorkel gear to borrow. Expect a wet landing, so wear water shoes and keep your phone in a dry bag. The motu is tiny: you can walk around it in about 15 minutes. The best snorkelling is the coral garden on the lagoon side, with reef fish, rays and sometimes small blacktip reef sharks in water that is mostly waist to chest deep. The far end of the motu faces the pass, where the current can be strong, so stay inside the area the crew marks out. Taha'a's green peaks fill the view across the lagoon, but there is no way to get there independently: no taxis, buses or boats wait at the motu, and no local operators collect cruise guests here. Enjoy the island from the beach, keep an eye on the last tender time and treat this as a relaxed beach day.
Cruise dock
Motu Mahaea — tender landing beach
No pier: ships anchor in the Taha'a lagoon near Passe Toahotu and tenders or Zodiacs land guests directly on the motu's lagoon-side beach. Expect a wet landing in shallow water.
Latitude: -16.6454, Longitude: -151.426612
See dock on port map →Getting to Taha'a
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
The whole motu can be walked in about 15 minutes. Soft sand and coral rubble underfoot, so wear water shoes.
Everything on the motu is on foot from the tender landing beach
Map & things to do
Money & payments
You need no money on the motu: everything is included or charged to your shipboard account.
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Inside the French Polynesia collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your Taha'a cruise day.
Typical weather
Emergency & contacts
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Taha'a?
- Taha'a is a tender port: your ship anchors offshore and passengers transfer to shore by small boat.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Taha'a?
- Yes. Taha'a is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Taha'a centre?
- Typical options include On foot. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Taha'a?
- Plan for at least 2 hours ashore to see Taha'a independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Taha'a and are cards accepted?
- Taha'a uses the CFP Franc. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Taha'a cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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