 Hanga Roa : Profile
On arrival the captain should contact the port captain on Channel 16. Landing the dinghy in Hanga Roa can be difficult if there is a big swell, although there is a small and shallow basin, protected by a breakwater, which is used by the fishing boats. If Hanga Roa is untenable, one can land at Hanga Piko a mile from the main settlement around Point Roa.
Entry formalities are uncomplicated and are done ashore, although sometimes officials come out to the yacht. On leaving, one must clear with Customs and Immigration again. Because of the difficulty in landing, it is recommended to use the services of a local fisherman, who will use his own high-powered boat to land the crew. This can be arranged via the port captain on Channel 16. Both arrival and departure formalities are normally completed at the port captain's office, at Hanga Piko. Contact the port captain Fabian on email: cphangaroa@directemar.cl
The small harbour at Hanga Piko has been enlarged and dredged to about 2.0 m. The Port Captain insists on boats using a pilot as the entrance is very difficult. There is a fee of US$150(2008) for using the harbour, but no fee for the services of the pilot.
Boats up to 18m and about 2m draft can find shelter inside. There is space for two or three boats. The final decision whether a boat will be allowed in or not depends on the port captain.
The harbour is sheltered from all wind directions, but a SW wind causes a serious problems with surge, so boats must be tied fore and aft to rocks ashore. If one of the inside boats wishes to leave, all others have to move too. Some boats have been trapped here in the past in unusually bad weather with no way out because of huge swell. The harbour should be abandoned under heavy surge conditions as yachts can be damaged when this occurs.
For many years now, there have been different projects of building a small
marina around the other side of the harbour but so far lack of funds have delayed these projects.
There is a large black buoy in Hanga Roa for which there does not appear to be a charge.
In settled weather, there is a small loading dock in Anakena bay.
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