Tahiti : Profile

Clearance

Before entering or departing Papeete harbour all yachts must contact the Port Captain on Channel 12 or 2683 kHz. On arrival in Papeete one must report first to Immigration, then to Customs, then to the Harbour Master's office, all of which are in the Bureau des Yachts, Quai des Paquebots, close to the tourist office on the waterfront in Papeete.

Yachts sailing or motoring to and from Taapuna, west channel, or Marina Taina must request permission to cross the airfield axis east or west 10 minutes before doing so by calling VIGIE on VHF Channel 12.

Permission should be obtained for any cruise which takes a yacht more than 50 miles from Tahiti. On departure yachts must clear with customs and immigration and apply for a permit to leave from the harbour master.

Customs Office
Tel:+689 420122
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 0700-1445, Friday 0700-1330
Pet Regulations require pet to be microchipped and have a certificate of vaccination against rabies with ID number, paraovirus, canine distemper, infectious hepatitis and leptospirosis. Application for Import Permit from French Polynesian Minister of Agriculture, B.P. 2551, Papeete, Tahiti 98713. Tel 689 50 44 55/689 50 44 60

Harbour Office
Tel:+689 505451/505482 , Fax:+689 433612
Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 0715-1130, 1215-1600, Friday 0715-1130,1215-1500

Immigration Office
Tel:+689 424074 , Fax:+689 424074
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 0800-1200,1330-1600

Polynesia Yacht Services
pys@mail.pf
Laurent Bernaert offers a very comprehensive range of services to cruisers, including help with clearance and other formalities.

Docking

There is no marina as such in Papeete harbour, but the waterfront has been upgraded and there is water and electricity. Visiting yachts dock stern to the quay along Boulevard Pomare, a busy avenue in the heart of Papeete. Although noisy, most people prefer to stay here as it is only a few steps from the market, post office, banks, restaurants and the various offices. Hurricane chains have been laid in the harbour and occasionally yachts foul their anchor on them. Theft has been a problem in the past for boats moored along the quay but in 2007 it has been reported that the situation has improved with guards patrolling the quay 24/7.

There are several other places outside Papeete used by those staying longer, such as the anchorage in front of the Beachcomber Hotel, close to the airport. Taina Marina on Tahiti's west coast, is administered by the Papeete Port Authority. All dock spaces are occupied by local yachts, although there is a visitor's quay for large yachts and also anchoring space available for visitors who must make arrangements with the management to use the marina facilities.

The Tahiti Water Ski Club (ski nautique club de Tahiti) uses the Maeva anchorage so boats should take care not to anchor or drive dinghies through their waterski area.

Bounty Yacht Quay
Papeete
40 berths for yachts up to 15m and 20 berths for larger yachts. Water and electricity to all berths. Restaurants, shops, chandlery and Clubhouse.

Marina Taina
13003 Punaauia
Tel:+689 410225, Fax:+689 452758, VHF Channel 9
Mainly aimed at the resident motor cruiser market.

Papeete Harbour (Quai des Yachts)
Papeete Centre
Tel:+689 505451, Fax:+689 433612, VHF Channel 12
www.portoftahiti.com, gteiva@portppt.pf
This busy quay is right in the centre of Papeete, close to all facilities. Water, electricity and toilets. The holding is in mud.

Port Autonome de Papeete
Tel:50 54 54 , Fax:42 19 50
You can dock (Med-moor) in the center of town if you can obtain a space or anchor (Med-moor) along the shore a little further.

Tahiti Nautic Center
PK58 Taravao, BP 7305 , 98719 TARAVAO
Tel:54 76 16, Fax:57 05 07
tnc@mail.pf
Marina with docking, repair and haulout facilities. 15 ton cradle, chandlery, sail and engine repair, boatbuilding.

Yacht Clubs

Association de Voiliers en Polynesie
BP 4880 Papeete, Tahiti
Tel:(689) 74 10 02
a.v.p@bigfoot.com
Call Michel, the president, on Teva 3 on VHF CH 69 in Maeva Beach anchorage. This association was created in 1981 to help visiting cruising sailors and to protect the rights of sailors in French Polynesia. Since 97, the association tries to keep the Maeva Beach anchorage open to passing boats. It can also inform you about the "etiquette" in the anchorage and the latest security and theft problems. The association organizes and promotes events like nautical flea markets, beach cleanups, potlucks, boat parades, etc. It maintains close contacts with the written press and local television to inform the local population about cruising, living aboard, rallies and other cruising related info. AVP maintains a trash disposal container at the disposition of cruisers who are welcome to join the association or give a donation.

Yacht Club de Tahiti
PK 4.5 Arue
Tel:(689) 42 78 03 , Fax:(689) 42 37 07 , VHF Channel 06
yctahiti@mail.pf
Located in Arue, 5 km east of Papeete, the Tahiti Yacht Club is a welcoming and friendly yacht club with an active racing fleet. The Club docks are full with local boats, and often do not have spaces for visitors; anchoring space is also limited, so one should contact the club first on VHF channel 6 and ask for advice. The manager, Michel Alcon, is very helpful.