For boats
Atuona,
Hiva Oa, is the most popular Port of Entry into French Polynesia when arriving
from The Galapagos Islands or Panama.
The time zone here is -9.5 UTC.
Anchorage
The small port of Atuona provides good shelter, but can be
busy. There is enough room for about 10-15 boats. Drop the anchor at 2-4 meters. You should also
anchor behind two yellow posts with crosses on land on the starboard side as
you enter the harbor (pass a break water on your starboard first). This is to
keep yachts clear of the supply vessels which enter the harbor.
Some boats deploy
stern anchors to not face into the swell, but also to allow more yachts to stay
there. But most of yachts does not. Anyway prepare your stern anchor ready to
launch in advance.
Some boats
do a stern anchoring to a pier. It is OK, but you have to leave this place if
the ship is coming. So at least two persons should be on the boat all the
time.
If a large
southerly swell is predicted, boats at the end of the bay may find themselves
in breaking waves.
The swells
from the SE quadrant refract off the cliffs on the northwest side of the bay
and come
into the anchorage. Staying could be uncomfortable, sometimes even danger. Be
ready to leave Taahuku bay on short notice.
Dinghy’s
landing
The dinghy
can be left at the steps by the main quay or by the ramp in the SE corner of
the harbor. The ramp is extremely slippery so it is best to try to land at high
water. Any way, there is not a safe place for landing and leaving the dingy,
because of swell and tides. Be careful. There is no possibility to land on the
west coast of the bay.
If you want
to visit Atuona (about 3km from dinghy landing points) tray to get a drive.
Clearance
Atuona is
the Port of Entry for boats arriving from the east. No other islands (other
than the ports of entry at Ua Pou or Nuku Hiva) should be visited before
reporting to the officials in Atuona.
Yachts can
now clear in or out of FP with the “gendarmes” offices (French Police) which
deal with Immigration and Customs formalities.
The
Gendarmerie in Atuona is located in the center of village. It is about 3km from
the bay. They are friendly and efficient but don’t speak english. Opening hours: 07:30-12:00,
14:00-17:30 (Monday to Friday )
There is
the official source from the Government of France:
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/getting-a-visa/
French
Polynesia is part of the European Union (as an overseas collective of France) but not
of the Schengen Area Agreement and has its own visa rules. These rules closely
follow those of mainland France
with some exceptions that are specific to FP.
UE sailors
All
European Union sailors don’t’ need a visa, and the procedure is easy going. You
all have to visit Gandarmerie with your passport, a captain have to fill up the
customs form, and send a copy to Customs in Papeete (there is a post office, the address
is on the form). That’s all, you are allowed to stay on Polynesia
for 2 years. Prepare a list with quantity of strong alcohol, wine, beer,
cigarettes, cigars, you have on boat (for customs form).
Non EU
sailors
You need a “Visa
On Arrival” which is good for 90 days. Applying for a 90-day visa does not help
with the bond or your check-in process. If you wish to stay longer than 90 days
in French Polynesia, you should apply for a
“Long Stay Visa”. Anyway all the crew has to visit Gandarmerie personally with
the passport.
The French Polynesia Bond.
French Polynesia requires all non-EU visitors to either prove that they have a paid way
out of
the
country, or pay a bond on arriving in French Polynesia.
This bond basically is the guarantee that the French government doesn’t have to
pay to fly indigent people home. There are 3 ways to satisfy this requirement:
1. Show an
airplane ticket out of the country
2. Pay the
bond (roughly the equivalent of an airplane ticket out of the country) – about
2000 USD. The bond is refundable when you leave, with time and paperwork. Even
if you have obtained a long stay visa, you must pay a bond.
3. Arrange
with an agent to “guarantee” you. Essentially the agent guarantees that THEY
will pay to
fly you out of the country, and so you essentially pay for an insurance policy
with the
agent – cost about 200USD per person.
All
detailed information you will get at Gandarmerie office.
Sandra
services and WiFi.
A kind of tourist
information and agent services are run by Sandra. You can meet her at Semafor
Atuona (when you leave your dinghy turn right and go strait ahead for about 600 meters, at the end a
little up). She is there from 8am to 11am for the benefit of yachts. She can
arrange for laundry to be cleaned, help with formalities, tours to Puamau to (tikis),
transfer to airport, etc. She offers also
internet access for 24 hours for 500 CFP.
Fuel:
The fuel
station is located on East part of the bay, easy to find when you leave the
dingy. Use your own jerry cans to deliver diesel to boat. If you need thousands
of liters you can order a truck with diesel. Ask Sandra.
Duty Free
Fuel
A permit
for duty-free fuel can be obtained for free if you go in person to the Customs
office in Papeete
with your departure clearance. Otherwise, if using an agent (compulsory on
other islands than Tahiti), you will be
charged for this service. Ask the Sandra, she can arrange that.
Water
There are
taps at the dinghy landings/ramps in port. The water isn't potable (collected
from the rain, usually dirty), but usable for laundry etc. There is potable
water next to the petrol station. Ask there. Use the wooden dock closest to the
petrol station and the tap is just up from the dock. High tide makes this
easier.
Groceries
The nearest
one is on Petrol Station, but the prices are higher than in the village. You
can buy there a fresh baguettes in the morning.
In the
village is few groceries, the first one opposite to post office, but the
biggest one and probably the chipper is on the other side of the village.
Follow the main road, when you leave the bank on your left turn right and walk
about 5 minutes. The “Magazin” is on the left.
Gas
Only
Polynesian bottles available. No possibility to refill your bottles.
Bank
There is a
bank with ATM located on the main road. Next ATM is located at Post Office.
Trash
There are
trash bins located across from the shower near the dinghy dock. Do not use the
bin at the petrol station.
Airport
There is an
airport on Hiva Oa which has flights 4 times a week to/from Tahiti.
Flight
duration is
3:45. Air Tahiti is the carrier, their office
is located at the western end of Atuona (near the bank). Open M-F 0800-1200
& 1330-1630.
For crews
There are
some outdoor showers and a place for doing hand washing. It located on East
part of the bay – see the chart.
There is some
restaurant in the village.
Tikis and
other Marquesas souvenirs are available in Artisanat (behind the bank on the
right).
The painter
Paul Gaugin, lived here, and there is a museum dedicated to him. Both he and
the famous singer Jacques Brel are buried in the cemetery on a hill above the
bay,
There is an
all-day tour available across Hiva Oa by car to the village of Paumau
on the north coast where there is an extensive archaeological site with stone terraces,
petroglyphs and the world's largest tiki. The roads are dangerous in the rain. You
can rent a car – 1 day 12000 CPF (small 4x4 Suzuki).
Places in
Atuona worth to see: Cementery, Church, Paul Guagin museum, Artisanat.
There is a
lot of shows during July Festival.
Fees
no fees for
anchoring
rent a car
– Suzuki 4x4 – 12000 CPF (2016)