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| Raiatea / Uturoa |
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Views: 2107
For boats
Raiatea and Tahaa are enclosed within the same barrier reef. Raiatea
is 12 miles
north to south, and up to 10
miles wide in places. Uturoa is the main town and the
only important
harbour. Raiatea rises to a height of 1,033 metres (3300 ft.) at Mt Toomaru near the center of the island. Mt Tapioi is above the town of Uturoa in the north of the island.
While it is the largest of the Leeward Islands, Raiatea is not part of most tourists' itineraries. Today, Raiatea (12,000 inhabitants in 2002) is the location of the French and Tahitian administration for the Leeward Islands. There is a large, modern hospital, a municipal court, and a high school and vocational training center that have facilities for students who
live on the outer islands.
Approach
Passe Teavapiti is the main all-weather entrance and exit pass on the east coast for the port of Uturoa. There are two floating buoys at the entrance outside of the reef, a green conical buoy on starboard and a red cylindrical buoy on port. Located north of Motu Taoru, this main shipping pass to Uturoa has good leading mark on 258 magnetic. The smaller pass to the south of Motu Taoru should not be used, as it is quite narrow and has strong currents.
When you are inside the lagoon go North following the red/green marks (red to port, green to starboard). Marina is located in north part of the town, just after left corner, you will se a lot of masts. There is a cardinal mark 0.1NM NE direction. You should pass it correctly, but depths on the other side are about 6m, many boats do a short cut.
Marina of Uturoa:
It might be possible to get a night’s dockage here but I’m not sure this is the best spot for staying in Uturoa. Marina is busy all the time with charter and long term boats. They are not open for visitors for one or few days stay. The stuff are unfriendly, and they only know one word in English - “get out”.
Anyway, the quay at the end of the marina is for “dream yacht” charter boats only, next pier is for small motor boats and next one for long term visitors. If you find a free place between the boats you can moor there (use a pick up line, and berth to stern). Ask neighbors about this place – is it taken or not, If yes - when the boat will back. They usually know this.
There is a water and electricity on the quay, but electricity works not good – low power, strange voltage.
The harbour master and other stuff are not friendly and speak only a little english. There is no more marina office (open).
The depth in the entrance and inside marina is about 3.5 meters.
We paid 5800 XPF for 3 days stay including water and electricity (LOA 14m).
There is a WC and shower in the marina, but you should avoid this place (very dirty).
Marina is located about 10 minutes of walk from the center of the village. Just turn left and go ahead along the main road.
There are two or three mooring boys before the entrance to the marina. You can pick up one if there is no place inside.
Formalities:
Uturoa is the Port of Entry for boats.
Yachts can now clear in or out of FP with the “gendarmes” offices (French Police) which deal with Immigration and Customs formalities.
The Gendarmerie is located near the marina, about 5 minutes of walk. When you leave the marina pass the main road, then go across the church to the next main road and go left. In 100 meters you will see the Gendarmerie.
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.
Fuel
There is a Shell station in the center of the town, which has a guest dock, but does not offer duty free fuel.
The Total station is located just north at the head of the small inlet adjacent to the municipal marina, and Total does offer duty free diesel.
Water
Available on the quays.
Provisions
In the downtown there are at least 3 supermarkets including Champion. Many products with prices a little higher than in Papeete.
You can buy some fresh fishes and seafood directly from the fishermen’s boats in the main harbour (center of the city).
Outside of Uturoa, there are not many places to reprovision.
Bank / ATM
There are two banks in Uturoa with ATM’s – easy to find in downtown.
Internet:
Internet available at marina – WDG Hot Spot, but it’s paid (1hr – 500XPF; 5hrs 2000XPF; paid by card via internet). Vini spot available close to the main post office with high antennas (also paid).
There is a WiFi in few restaurants (e.g. La Cubana near the wharfs in the center of the town.
Other:
The main post office is located at the main road to the center (look for high mast). The second one is located in shop complex near the wharfs.
There is a hospital, dentist and veterinary.
harbour. Raiatea rises to a height of 1,033 metres (3300 ft.) at Mt Toomaru near the center of the island. Mt Tapioi is above the town of Uturoa in the north of the island.
While it is the largest of the Leeward Islands, Raiatea is not part of most tourists' itineraries. Today, Raiatea (12,000 inhabitants in 2002) is the location of the French and Tahitian administration for the Leeward Islands. There is a large, modern hospital, a municipal court, and a high school and vocational training center that have facilities for students who
live on the outer islands.
Approach
Passe Teavapiti is the main all-weather entrance and exit pass on the east coast for the port of Uturoa. There are two floating buoys at the entrance outside of the reef, a green conical buoy on starboard and a red cylindrical buoy on port. Located north of Motu Taoru, this main shipping pass to Uturoa has good leading mark on 258 magnetic. The smaller pass to the south of Motu Taoru should not be used, as it is quite narrow and has strong currents.
When you are inside the lagoon go North following the red/green marks (red to port, green to starboard). Marina is located in north part of the town, just after left corner, you will se a lot of masts. There is a cardinal mark 0.1NM NE direction. You should pass it correctly, but depths on the other side are about 6m, many boats do a short cut.
Marina of Uturoa:
It might be possible to get a night’s dockage here but I’m not sure this is the best spot for staying in Uturoa. Marina is busy all the time with charter and long term boats. They are not open for visitors for one or few days stay. The stuff are unfriendly, and they only know one word in English - “get out”.
Anyway, the quay at the end of the marina is for “dream yacht” charter boats only, next pier is for small motor boats and next one for long term visitors. If you find a free place between the boats you can moor there (use a pick up line, and berth to stern). Ask neighbors about this place – is it taken or not, If yes - when the boat will back. They usually know this.
There is a water and electricity on the quay, but electricity works not good – low power, strange voltage.
The harbour master and other stuff are not friendly and speak only a little english. There is no more marina office (open).
The depth in the entrance and inside marina is about 3.5 meters.
We paid 5800 XPF for 3 days stay including water and electricity (LOA 14m).
There is a WC and shower in the marina, but you should avoid this place (very dirty).
Marina is located about 10 minutes of walk from the center of the village. Just turn left and go ahead along the main road.
There are two or three mooring boys before the entrance to the marina. You can pick up one if there is no place inside.
Formalities:
Uturoa is the Port of Entry for boats.
Yachts can now clear in or out of FP with the “gendarmes” offices (French Police) which deal with Immigration and Customs formalities.
The Gendarmerie is located near the marina, about 5 minutes of walk. When you leave the marina pass the main road, then go across the church to the next main road and go left. In 100 meters you will see the Gendarmerie.
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.
Fuel
There is a Shell station in the center of the town, which has a guest dock, but does not offer duty free fuel.
The Total station is located just north at the head of the small inlet adjacent to the municipal marina, and Total does offer duty free diesel.
Water
Available on the quays.
Provisions
In the downtown there are at least 3 supermarkets including Champion. Many products with prices a little higher than in Papeete.
You can buy some fresh fishes and seafood directly from the fishermen’s boats in the main harbour (center of the city).
Outside of Uturoa, there are not many places to reprovision.
Bank / ATM
There are two banks in Uturoa with ATM’s – easy to find in downtown.
Internet:
Internet available at marina – WDG Hot Spot, but it’s paid (1hr – 500XPF; 5hrs 2000XPF; paid by card via internet). Vini spot available close to the main post office with high antennas (also paid).
There is a WiFi in few restaurants (e.g. La Cubana near the wharfs in the center of the town.
Other:
The main post office is located at the main road to the center (look for high mast). The second one is located in shop complex near the wharfs.
There is a hospital, dentist and veterinary.
For crews
Uturoa is
second largest city in Polynesia, but do not
expect a big city. There’s only 12000 inhabitants. All shops, restaurants, foot
trucks are around the center of the city. You can visit some bars, restaurants
and souvenirs shops.
There is good sport shop called Havait Shop with e.g. snorkeling stuff.
Don’t miss it. Amazing arrival / departure of Hawaiiki’nui Va’a (pirog race) in late October/early November.
You can rent a car or scooter and do a trip around the island. Coast about 7000XPF for scooter and 8000-12000 for a car. There are few offices.
There is a small dive center in the marina. The most famous diving spot is wreck of Nordby (3 masted, 100 y.o. ship). The pass is also worth to visit. One dive 6500 CPF.
There is a second dive center located at Apooiti Marina. You can call or e-mail them and make an reservation. They will pick you up from your place.
Hiking. There is a nice 1 hour hike up to Tapioi Hill, the peak topped by big
antennas behind Uturoa. It's an easy to moderate hike, took about 1 hour. From marina, walk south to the town along the inside road (not the one along the water that goes to the Shell Station). Pass the Gandarmerie and turn right on the narrow road. Follow the road, where you will see a sign that indicates hikers are welcome but cars are not. From there, keep going
up the hill. On a clear day the views are spectacular - you can see Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora and Huahine. Take with you a bottle of water.
There is good sport shop called Havait Shop with e.g. snorkeling stuff.
Don’t miss it. Amazing arrival / departure of Hawaiiki’nui Va’a (pirog race) in late October/early November.
You can rent a car or scooter and do a trip around the island. Coast about 7000XPF for scooter and 8000-12000 for a car. There are few offices.
There is a small dive center in the marina. The most famous diving spot is wreck of Nordby (3 masted, 100 y.o. ship). The pass is also worth to visit. One dive 6500 CPF.
There is a second dive center located at Apooiti Marina. You can call or e-mail them and make an reservation. They will pick you up from your place.
Hiking. There is a nice 1 hour hike up to Tapioi Hill, the peak topped by big
antennas behind Uturoa. It's an easy to moderate hike, took about 1 hour. From marina, walk south to the town along the inside road (not the one along the water that goes to the Shell Station). Pass the Gandarmerie and turn right on the narrow road. Follow the road, where you will see a sign that indicates hikers are welcome but cars are not. From there, keep going
up the hill. On a clear day the views are spectacular - you can see Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora and Huahine. Take with you a bottle of water.
Fees
Berth place
– hard to say, no official price list, we paid 5800 for 3 days (LOA 14m) in
2016
Mooring buoys – no data
Rent a scooter – 7000 XPF
Rent a car – 8000 and up
Diving - 6500 XPF one dive (if you have certificate)
Mooring buoys – no data
Rent a scooter – 7000 XPF
Rent a car – 8000 and up
Diving - 6500 XPF one dive (if you have certificate)
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