SVBlowinBubbles says:
Sep 09, 2018 11:35 PM

September 2018- checked into Tual with ease. All officials friendly and no fees were charged. The Yachters website had been offline for more than 2 weeks. Even Customs could not connect. They allowed us to use their internet and helped us fill out forms. We were told we are now good until check out, no need to see anyone in other ports. Provisioning in Tual and langur was decent. Tied dingy to the customs boat dock where they watched it and kept it safe.

Only issue was with John (Jonas) who works on the coast guard boat as a cook I think? He tried to add a 2 to the bill for our laundry we had done by someone else. We had agreed to pay 12000 per kg for 7 kg so 84000 total. John gave us a bill with $284000 written on it! We never used him to arrange the laundry, someone else took it and brought it back so he should to even been involved. We highly recommend Tukan to take you for grocery or site seeing, charges 10000 per hour and speaks a little English.

Tukan cel 082199239147. He charges 8000/ ltr gasoline, and 10000/ ltr for diesel. By contrast, John wanted 10000 and 15000 respectively. To avoid problems that many have had with John tell him you have arranged with someone else when he first asks. There is another man George whose many recommended as well his number is in the Soggy Paws Files.

Hello,
We like to confirm that Tual is really a good place to clear in. We have done it without local agent and everybody was friendly and efficient.CAIT and social visa we had organised before. No corruption, no cost except minimal charge for health, not even closed offices over the weekends (and no weekend fee).

Start with the Health Officer, the quarantine office is right behind the harbour master near where you can tie up the Dinghy. Customs is up a little hill, you may want to take a motorbike taxi, but it is not far, you can walk as well. They did all the paperwork without any hassle.

They do however temporarily import your yacht, but this did not cause any issue. We did not have to pay a bond for this and also did not experienced any issue when clearing out 3 months later from Nongsa Point. Immigration is next to customs, again very friendly. The town is a lively, friendly, not touristic place were travelling by minibus or Ojek (motorbike taxi) is best.

We anchored in 15 Meters safely and enjoyed a week in Tual. Approach it from north. If you need an anchorage before or after sailing to Tual, north of Pulau Woha (west from Tual, est. 30 miles) is a peaceful anchorage. Do not go to Pulau Woha by night, because of FADs.
Enjoy your stay in Tual!
SY Frieda