Fanning Island/Tabuaerean : Profile

Location

Fanning is one of the island atolls in the Line Island Group. It is a useful stop if proceeding to Hawaii, some 900 miles away.

Position 3°51.4’N, 159°21.5’W.

Clearance

If no officials come out to inspect the yacht, the captain should disembark and visit first customs in the government offices just south of the jetty, then the chief of police who also acts as immigration officer.

There is a AUS$20 per three month anchoring fee as well as some clearance fees. Only Australian and US dollars are accepted, and there are no banks or ATMS.

A video and audio documentary on Fanning is available at www.cdbaby.com/fanningisland

Landing supplies for local families is permitted, but must be cleared with the customs official first and the duty paid. Alternatively, such gifts can be quietly given out on your boat.

Last updated September 2008.

Docking

There is a wide pass on the west side but there is a strong outflowing current at maximum ebb (upto 7kn). One should time one's arrival to coincide with slack water, otherwise it is possible to anchor in the lee of the island and wait for the change of tide.

There are now no buoys marking the entrance to the pass. Once inside, moor to the old sunken barge on the north side, or to either of the two mooring buoys.

Alternatively, anchor in 30 ft of sand and coral off the main village, south of the pass. This is the preferred position for clearing in.

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Cruising and Yachting Guide for Kiribati (26 Nov 2009)

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Cruising the Northern Cooks & Line Islands (03 Sep 2008)

Hawaii, Honolulu to Brisbane, Australia (22 May 2008)

Tide Information In South Pacific (17 Oct 2007)

Question About Fanning Island Slack Water (16 Oct 2006)

A Visit To Christmas/Kirimati Island (09 Mar 2005)

25th Anniversary of Moon Handbooks South Pacific (24 Jun 2004)

Christmas Island Still A Good Destination (15 Dec 2003)

Fanning Island (27 Jan 2001)

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