Hiva Oa : Profile

Location

Atuona, Hiva Oa, is the most convenient Port of Entry into French Polynesia when arriving from The Galapagos Islands.

The famous painter, Paul Gauguin is buried here in the small graveyard above the anchorage.

Position 09°48'S, 139°02'W.

Clearance

This is the most common port of entry for boats arriving from the east.

No other islands (other than the ports of entry Ua Pou and Nuku Hiva) should be visited before reporting to the officials in Atuona. The small harbour can get crowded and the swell is usually bad.

Formalities are completed at the Gendarmerie in Atuona, half-a-mile (1 km) uphill. It is reported that the Gendarme may only process yachts during morning hours.

The compulsory bond for nationals of non-European Union countries can be deposited at Banque Socredo. Non-EU nationals, without a return air ticket, are expected to deposit the equivalent of the airfare to their home country.

Boats intending to spend a short time (up to 4 weeks) in French Polynesia may be exempt, so it is advisable to state on arrival if only making a short visit. See French Polynesia/Formalities/Clearance

Last updated February 2011.

Gendarmerie
Tel:927 361 or 17
Opening Hours: 07:30-12:00, 14:00-17:30 (Monday to Friday )

Docking

The small port of Atuona provides good shelter even if the swell rolls in, so it is necessary to use a stern anchor. Also, the anchorage for small boats is restricted to the northern part of the harbour. The area is shown by two yellow range markers, and boats are supposed to anchor close to this line. The depth varies from 2 to 3.5 metres so deep draughted boats may have to anchor outside the breakwater.

If a large south swell is predicted, boats at the end of the bay may find themselves in breaking waves. The dinghy can be left at the steps by the main quay (it is best to lift the dinghy onto the quay as there is a lot of surge) or by the ramp in the SE corner of the harbor. The ramp is extremely slippery so it is best to try to land at high water.

There is a public telephone in the harbour but no other facilities (showers, etc).

Note: The time zone here is -9.5 UTC.

Last updated August 2011.

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