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Hiva Oa : Profile

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 harbor can get crowded and the swell is usually bad. Formalities are completed at the Gendarmerie in Atuona, half-a-mile (1 km) uphill. The Gendarmerie (Tel 927 361 or 17) is open 0730-1200, 1400-1730 Monday to Friday (it is reported that the Gendarme may be processing yachts only during morning hours). The compulsory bond for nationals of non-European Union countries can be deposited at Banque Socredo. Non-EU nationals are expected to deposit approximately $1200-1500 per person, US citizens approximately $800. Some boats have managed to pay the deposit by credit card, although they lost on the exchange rate when the deposit was cashed in. Boats intending to spend a short time (up to 4 weeks) in French Polynesia are normally exempt, so it is advisable to state on arrival if one is on a short visit only and request to complete formalities in Papeete.

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 harbor. 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 harbor but none of the other facilities (showers, etc) mentioned in some publications.