Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Personal tools

Log in

Follow @NoonsiteEditor THE Ultimate Cruisers' Planning Tool

Sections

You are here: Home / Countries / French Polynesia / Rangiroa

Rangiroa - Profile

Location

Rangiroa is 45 miles long and 15 miles wide, and is the largest Tuamotu, and the second largest atoll in the world.

There are two passes, but the anchorage that yachts seem to favour is near the Tiputa pass.

Clearance

Avatoru is the Port of Entry.

It is NO LONGER compulsory for all yachts visiting French Polynesia to visit Papeete Customs and Immigration to complete the clearing-in process.

Yachts can now clear in or out of FP with the “gendarmes” offices (French Police) at the ports of entry in the other islands (Marquesas, Tuamotus, Gambiers, Australs etc.) and complete all customs and immigration formalities in the one place.

The Gendarmerie Nationale in Avatoru can deal with Immigration and Customs.

Full details can be found at French Polynesia Clearance.

Last updated July 2014.

Docking

Yachts anchor off Tiputa village, or the more sheltered anchorage off the Kia Ora Village Hotel. It is possible to tie up for a few hours to the municipal dock in Avatoru pass in an emergency or to load/unload something heavy. Contact the mairie first to make sure no cargo is using the dock.

There is a small harbor on the west side inside of Tiputa pass.

A possible anchorage and dinghy harbor is just in front of the airport, easy to pick up guests.

Last updated August 2011.

Pannikin

Pannikin says:

May 12, 2015 01:51 AM

Rabgiroa dive centre helping cruisers.
Eleuthera Plongee dive centre just near the dock at Tiputa village is making himself available to help cruisers. They have a washing machine, wifi, postal service, push bike hire and more available and run a very professional diving operation. Yannick is there to welcome you and will try to help with any issues cruisers have and would like to hear feedback on how he can help. There are two small supermarkets within easy walking distance which makes an great place to stop for a while.

Global Sponsors

Ask us for a quote
Find out more

Find Your dream sailing opportunity today

Forums

forums.worldcruising.com

French Polynesia: Australs; Gambiers; Marquesas; Other Atolls; Society Islands; Tahiti
Profile: Location; Clearance; Docking; Yacht Clubs
Repair Facilities: Boatyards; Engine Repair; Mechanical Repair; Electrics & Electronics; Carpentry; Rigs & Sails; Canvas Work; Metalwork; Hull & GRP Repair; Refrigeration; Air Conditioning; Liferafts & Inflatables
Marine Services: Marine Supplies; Fuel; Water; LPG (gas); Diving/Fishing; Charts & Marine Publications; General Services; Yacht Charters; Yacht Brokers; Guardinage; Yacht Surveyors
Shore Services: Communications; Banks; Laundry; Provisions; Transport & Travel; Computer/Photo/Video; Medical/Health; Accommodation; Activities; Shopping; Attractions; Restaurants & Bars
Update History: Update History
Countries: Albania; Algeria; American Samoa; Angola; Anguilla; Antarctica; Antigua & Barbuda; Argentina; Aruba; Ascension Island; Australia; Azores; BIOT (Chagos); Bahamas; Bahrain; Barbados; Belgium; Belize; Bermuda; Bonaire; Bosnia; Bouvetoya; Brazil; British Virgin Islands; Brunei; Bulgaria; Cambodia; Canada; Canary Islands; Cape Verdes; Cayman Islands; Channel Islands; Chile; China; Christmas Island; Cocos Keeling; Colombia; Comoros; Cook Islands; Costa Rica; Croatia; Cuba; Curacao; Cyprus; Denmark; Djibouti; Dominica; Dominican Republic; East Timor (Timor Leste); Easter Island; Ecuador; Egypt; El Salvador; Eritrea; Estonia; Falkland Islands; Faroe Islands; Federated States of Micronesia; Fiji; Finland; France; French Guiana; French Polynesia; French Subantarctic Territory; Galapagos; Gambia; Georgia; Germany; Gibraltar; Greece; Greenland; Grenada; Guadeloupe; Guam; Guatemala; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Haiti; Hawaii; Heard, McDonald & Macquarie Islands; Honduras; Hong Kong; Iceland; India; Indonesia; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Ivory Coast; Jamaica; Japan; Jordan; Juan Fernandez Islands; Kenya; Kiribati; Kuwait; Latvia; Lebanon; Libya; Lithuania; Macau; Madagascar; Madeira; Malaysia; Maldives; Malta; Marion & Prince Edward Island; Marshall Islands; Martinique; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mayotte; Mexico; Monaco; Montenegro; Montserrat; Morocco; Mozambique; Myanmar (Burma); Namibia; Nauru; Netherlands; New Caledonia; New Zealand; New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands; Nicaragua; Niue; Norfolk Island; Northern Marianas; Norway; Oman; Palau (Belau); Panama; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; Pitcairn Island; Poland; Portugal; Puerto Rico; Qatar; Reunion Island; Romania; Russia; Saba; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Saudi Arabia; Senegal; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Singapore; Sint Maarten; Slovenia; Solomon Islands; Somalia; South Africa; South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands; South Korea; Spain; Spanish Virgin Islands; Sri Lanka; St Barts; St Helena; St Kitts & Nevis; St Lucia; St Martin; St Pierre & Miquelon; St Vincent & the Grenadines; Statia; Subantarctic & Southern Ocean Islands; Sudan; Suriname; Sweden; Syria; Taiwan; Tanzania; Thailand; Tokelau; Tonga; Trinidad & Tobago; Tristan da Cunha; Tunisia; Turkey; Turks & Caicos; Tuvalu; US Virgin Islands; USA; Ukraine; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; Uruguay; Vanuatu; Venezuela; Vietnam; Wallis and Futuna; Yemen

Add/Update Your Business: If you would like your business to be listed, or the details are wrong, please update your business

Related Reports: Registrations Open for Tahiti Pearl Regatta (22 Mar 2018); French Polynesia, Raiatea: Repair Facilities (27 Nov 2017); Obtaining a French Polynesian Long Stay Visa - Revised (13 Nov 2017); French Polynesia, Tahiti: Yachts burgled at Marina Papeete - August 2017 (31 Aug 2017); French Polynesia, Marquesas: Nuku Hiva In Five Days (22 Jan 2017); French Polynesia: Yacht security incidents - Nov/Dec 2016 (31 Dec 2016); The Pacific Crossing Guide - 3rd Edition (17 Oct 2016); What are the options for keeping your boat in French Polynesia during the cyclone season? (18 Aug 2016); Clearing into French Polynesia: Dealing with the Bond & Duty Free Fuel (29 Jun 2016); Cyclones in the Society Islands and El Nino: Considering options for cyclone season (30 May 2016); Pacific - List of Radio Nets (17 Apr 2016); Weather & Routing for a 2016 Pacific Ocean Passage - East to West – March to June 2016 (14 Mar 2016); Sailing Advisory Galapagos to Marquesas (22 Feb 2016); French Polynesia, Moorea: Boarded and Burgled whilst ashore - October 2015 (19 Oct 2015); French Polynesia, Huahine, Baie D’Avea: Night Boarding - September 2015 (27 Sep 2015); South Pacific Cyclone Season in the tropics: Calculated risks (15 Jun 2015); French Polynesia, Raiatea, Uturoa: Yacht burglaries on the public dock - June 2015 (10 Jun 2015); South Pacific Cruising Notes: April to November 2013 (21 Oct 2014); Tahiti, Taina Marina: Moorings not to be trusted long term (23 Sep 2014); Perfect Anchorage - Motu Murimahora, Huahine, French Polynesia (14 Jul 2014); French Polynesia, Bora Bora: Deck equipment stolen - July 2014 (07 Jul 2014); French Polynesia, Tuamotos, Apatiki Carenage: Cruisers share their experiences (16 May 2014); French Polynesia: Good News for Visiting Yachts (05 May 2014); Tropical South Pacific weather resources (17 Mar 2014); Cruising the South Pacific with Pets on board - hassle in Fiji (15 Jan 2014); Courtesy Flags for the South Pacific (13 Oct 2013); French Polynesia: Pet Regulations (12 Sep 2013); Shipping in goods to Tahiti (11 Sep 2013); French Polynesia, Tahiti, Papeete: Attempted Dinghy Theft - July 2013 (09 Jul 2013); Bora Bora a great stop (24 Jun 2013); French Polynesia: Permitted Stay for yachts increased to 18 months (01 May 2013); Pacific Planning Advice (26 Mar 2013); French Polynesia, Raiatea, Uturoa: Attempted Burglary & Assault - January 2013 (20 Feb 2013); French Polynesia, Tahiti: Clearance in and out (31 Aug 2012); French Polynesia: Be Aware the Required Bond does NOT Cover All Situations (04 Aug 2012); Society Islands, Moorea, Opunohu Bay: Rising Crime - May 2012 (29 May 2012); Butane Availability In Caribbean & Pacific (04 Apr 2012); Nuku Hiva, Marquesas - water, sandflies and communications (02 Apr 2012); Electric Connections & Conversions in French Polynesia (22 Feb 2012); Sailmakers in French Polynesia – good and not so good (28 Sep 2011); Wifi in French Polynesia Expands Further (22 Sep 2011); South Pacific Ocean Passage Planning (25 May 2011); Highly Recommended Boatyard in Raiatea, French Polynesia (27 Feb 2011); French for Cruisers Book Review (09 Jul 2010); French Polynesia Cruising Advice (23 Feb 2010); Are Propane and Butane interchangeable with most boat systems? (19 Jan 2010); Total Solar Eclipse Will be Visible from Tuamotus – July 11, 2010! (07 Jan 2010); Cruising the Marquesas - what we learnt (09 Jun 2009); Singapore to Australia and on to the Marquesas (27 May 2009); NZ as Cyclone Season Destination (20 May 2009); CNI Carenage, Raiatea - Yacht Break-ins (23 Jan 2009); French Polynesia to NZ - the logical route (11 Dec 2008); Is It Possible To Sail To Fatu Hiva Before Checking In At Hiva Oa? (14 Jun 2008); Ecuador to French Polynesia in September (22 May 2008); Panama to Marquesas in February (22 May 2008); Marquesas to Philippines (15 May 2008); Safe Places In Pacific To Leave A Boat (18 Dec 2007); Tide Information In South Pacific (17 Oct 2007); Boat Storage in South Pacific (04 Sep 2007); French Polynesia Bond (02 Mar 2007); Getting stuff shipped to French Polynesia (05 Aug 2006); Tahiti Pearl Regatta (27 Mar 2006); Weather Forecast Services for South Pacific (24 Jan 2006); Hurricane Season in Tahiti (08 Jun 2005); Sailing With Pets To French Polynesia (08 Feb 2005); Hiva Oa, Marquesas, April 2003 (21 Dec 2004); 25th Anniversary of Moon Handbooks South Pacific (24 Jun 2004); Refuelling in the Marquesas (03 May 2004); Recent Experience Of Obtaining Visa For French Polynesia (30 Apr 2004); Latest Cruising Report from Galapagos & French Polynesia (23 Jun 2003); Fatu Hiva, Marquesas April 2003 (14 Apr 2003); Delights of the Northwest Tuamotus (11 Mar 2003); Marquesas in the Hurricane Season (10 Jan 2003); Mahini Atoll, Tuamotus (19 Aug 2002); Tuamotu Archipelago (19 Aug 2002)
Related News: MAYDAY! On passage from Mo’orea to Huahine catamaran "Tanda Malaika" violently hits an unmarked reef (25 Jul 2017); ARC Pacific - new rally route from Los Angeles to Hiva Oa, via Mexico , announced for Spring 2018 (19 Jan 2017); French Polynesia, Tuamotus: Skipper Found Dead aboard Grounded Sloop (22 Jul 2016); South Pacific: Moorings in Niue limited due to Cyclone Damage (10 May 2016); French Polynesia: Morning Dove Lost on Tuamotu Reef (08 May 2016); Tsunami Slams Chile After Deadly Magnitude-8.3 Earthquake; Pacific Tsunami Advisories (16 Sep 2015); Tahiti, Papeete: Totally Renovated Marina (03 May 2015); Pacific Puddle Jumpers Abandon Ship (27 Apr 2015); French Polynesia, Tahiti: Papeete's New Marina (26 Apr 2015); North Pacific, Kiribati: Cruise ship rescues sailors from yacht stranded on reef (16 Apr 2015); Hawaii: Hokule’a Making Final Preparations for Circumnavigation (15 May 2014); Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia to Sydney: Pacific Climate Warriors calling all sailboats (12 May 2014); South Pacific, Niue: Arrive with correct paperwork or face fines (06 May 2014); Great New Service for noonsite users: Get notified of cruising news, reports and country updates as they are posted (23 May 2013); World ARC: A New Route Choice (03 Apr 2013); French Polynesia, Tahiti & Moorea: Outbreak of Dengue Fever (06 Mar 2013); Summary of Security & Piracy Reports 2012 (28 Feb 2013); French Polynesia: OmniAccess expands high-speed network coverage (21 Aug 2012); Marqueses, Nuku Hiva - "Cannibal" fear over death of German Yachtsman (17 Oct 2011); Cook Islands - Skipper and dog survive yacht sinking (14 Oct 2009); Yacht Express Makes Debut Down Under (18 Jul 2008); Warning to Sailors Visiting Suwarrow Atoll in South Pacific (31 Jul 2003); French Polynesia Tightens Immigration and Customs Rules for All Visitors (20 Feb 2003); French Polynesia Immigration Update For Non-EU Citizens (20 Feb 2003); French Polynesia Tightens Rules on Visa Extensions (19 Aug 2002)