It is not difficult to find drinking water throughout the Windward Islands as well as the Society Islands. Some of the smaller atolls have very limited water and a few none at all, but all inhabited islands have a source and the locals are normally more than happy to share. Some places may charge a fee for supply, so ask first and learn a few French words and expressions to help you on your way. It also rains a lot here, so rig up an efficient water catchment system on your boat to keep your tanks topped up.
Here is a handy link for maps of potable water sources in FP - L'eau Potable. (It is in French but should be understandable by most - or use an online translation tool).
Fuel is available in the main settlements, although it is more difficult to find in the Tuamotus.
For boats arriving in FP refueling in the Marquesas is possible in Nuku Hiva (if no supply ship is in you can do this directly at the terminal if wind allows you - stern line to pier). Hiva Oa is more convenient although refueling is with jerry cans from the fuel station which is 50m from the dinghy dock.
Duty Free Diesel
A Duty free fuel certificate (a savings of app 40%) is available from Customs in Motu Uta for free. The certificate is valid for six months from date of issue. It can be renewed as long as your three year vessel stay has not expired. If you have a vessel that has been imported your duty free fuel is no longer valid.
LPG - Cooking Gas
All cooking gas bottles are sent to the central Gaz de Tahiti on Motu Uta for refilling. There are gas stations near each marina that you can drop off your bottle and have it filled and returned in a couple of days.
In Papeete you have the option of filling with Butane or Propane and MUST indicate on the bottle if you want propane. Use a piece of tape and write the word PROPANE on the bottle otherwise it will be filled with butane.
Whilst French Polynesia is more expensive than Europe and the USA for staple provisions due to its isolated location, shopping on a budget is possible. The best choice of provisions can be found in Tahiti (which has a Carrefour), but goods are adequate in the other Society Islands. Provisions in the Marquesas are adequate, though very expensive, and it’s best to stock-up, particularly in fresh goods, when heading for the Tuamotos.
You will not find many laundromats here, where you can do a self-service wash. Mostly, if you can find any service at all, it will be a drop-off service for $10-$20 for an 8kg wash (drying not included), which may take a few days.
Cash, fuel, gas refills, fresh water and fresh fruit and vegetables are very hard to come by in the Tuamotu Archipelago. Make sure you leave the Marquesas with a good supply. Water is a precious resource and some places such as Fakarava charge for water supply.
Satellite imagery is the key to sailing in the more remote parts of French Polynesia, particularly in the Tuamotu Atolls. Most cruisers download files called OpenCPN and view them in conjunction with satellite imagery in order to see the numerous coral heads (known as "bommies"), plus always station a crew member as lookout and navigate tricky areas during the day when it's sunny for best visibility. See more about using OpenCPN with satellite imagery in this report.
There are also very few navigational marks in this part of the world (except for major ports/shipping channels).
Many of the more popular islands and atolls now have anchoring restrictions in place, limiting the number of boats allowed at any one time, as well as the the amount of time you can stay. From June 2025, vessels less than 20metres will have to reserve their place in some of the more popular anchorages throughout the archipelago. See Restrictions for more information.
A necessary practice here is to also float your anchor chain above the coral bommies, with 4-5 floats, so as to protect the fragile coral environment.
The best facilities are to be found in Papeete (Tahiti) where everything is possible, but expensive. Papeete is the first place from Panama that cruisers can source parts and individuals to do boat repair.
There is no local VHF Cruisers net here, so experienced FP cruiser Chuck Houlihan of SY Jacaranda put together a very useful services guide for Tahiti - which unfortunately was retired in August 2024. You may still be able to download a pdf copy of the last version at https://www.tahiticruisersguide.com/ - although this website will be taken down at some point.
The other centre with extensive repair facilities is on Raiatea, where two charter companies have their base. Facilities are on a par with Tahiti, or even better, and have the great convenience of being grouped together. Raitea has 2 boatyards.
There are two boatyards in the Marquesas. One is a resourceful yacht repair business on Nuku Hiva and the other is in Hiva Oa.
Even in the more remote Tuamotus, there is a boatyard on Apataki Atoll and it is often possible to find someone who can do welding or repair an outboard engine.
Be warned though, prices are high in French Polynesia.
See the Customs section for details on bringing in spare parts and equipment.
Be wary if promised a tax refund when purchasing an expensive product/spare (e.g. a dinghy) in FP. Whilst a company may promise a tax refund, in reality, this is complicated to achieve and can only be done in Tahiti. The marine store must first process the paperwork before a freight forwarder can get permission from the Custom's officials to refund the VAT (and this is not always given). If you are purchasing via a third party in another island from a marine store in Tahiti, it's highly likely the papers will never be processed.
The Tahiti Cruisers Guide was started by Julien Desmont from Xperimental and Chuck Houlihan from Jacaranda, based on the very successful Panama City Cruisers guide. It has more than 200+ pages of information on vendors and services throughout French Polynesia.
SY Jacaranda have a number of useful documents on their website that deal with yachting services in French Polynesia as well as options if you have to leave your yacht.
Provides practical information and useful addresses for islands in French Polynesia.
Last updated: May 2025
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