Forums  |  Noonsite Home  |  Printable Page  |  Text Version  |  Search  |  Countries  |  News  |  General

  Hanga Roa : Profile

Clearance

On arrival the captain should contact the port captain on Channel 16. In general, all boats arriving from another country are visited by the authorities and clearance is done on the boat.

Yachts travelling from withing Chile with a Zarpe are generally not visited and have to find their own way to shore.

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.

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.

On leaving, one must clear with Customs and Immigration again.

Port Captain Fabian - Hanga Piko
E-mail: cphangaroa@directemar.cl

Last updated April 2011.

Docking

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.

The only buoy here is bright orange and owned by a fishing boat. The Armada may grant permission to use it whilst the boat is away in case of emergency only.

In settled weather, there is a small loading dock in Anakena bay.

Anchoring:
Shifting winds can chase you around the Island. However, cruisers Bruce Balan & Alene D. Rice created this excellent anchoring guide between April and June 2008, which will be helpful for those wanting to spend more time at Easter Island.

Last updated April 2011.

Related Reports

South Pacific Ocean Passage Planning (25 May 2011)

Panama to Callao, Peru in June  (27 Apr 2009)

Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Anchoring Guide (26 Nov 2008)

Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Anchoring Guide (23 Nov 2008)

Easter Island – Off the Beaten Track (02 Jul 2008)

Easter Island Statues Under Threat (25 Jun 2008)

Australia, Brisbane to Coquimbo, Chile (22 May 2008)

Chile to New Zealand (22 May 2008)

Ecuador, Salinas to Easter Island  (17 May 2008)

Tide Information In South Pacific (17 Oct 2007)

Weather Forecast Services for South Pacific (24 Jan 2006)

Easter Island Visit (24 Apr 2001)

Send Us News/Corrections/Information  |  © 2000-2011 World Cruising Club Ltd. 120 High Street, Cowes PO31 7AX, UK. Registered in England No. 5557900