The Societies Compendium A Compilation of Guidebook References and Cruising Reports Rev 2019.1 – February 21, 2019 We welcome updates to this guide! (especially for places we have no cruiser information on) Email Soggy Paws at sherry –at- svsoggypaws –dot- com. You can also contact us on Sailmail at WDI5677 The current home of the official copy of this document is http://svsoggypaws.com/files/ If you found it posted elsewhere, there might be an updated copy there. Page 1 Recent Updates Log Many thanks to all who have contributed over the years!! Rev Date Notes Initial version, extracted from the Tuamotus Compendium, A 05-April-2011 supplemented by Slipaway’s info from Port du Phaeton Still very rough at this point!! 2017.1 13-March-2017 Link to the new online Tahiti Cruiser’s Guide Updates from Mary Ann II on Cyclone probabilities in Tahiti and lots 2017.2 23-March-2017 of little info updates around Tahiti. Warning about theft in Haamene Bay, Tahaa. (Spunky), plus a few 2017.3 27-May-2017 other updates in the Societies A few updates from Spunky, and proper mooring techniques from 2017.4 17-June-2017 Jacaranda 2017.5 25-Aug-2017 Begonia on Bora Bora, Cook’s Bay Moorea notes by Jacaranda Updates by Jacaranda on anchorages on the South Coast of 2018.1 13-Aug-2018 Raiatea. Theft warning for Opunohu Bay. Updates by Mary Ann II for Moorea, plus an outline of clearance 2018.2 14-Aug-2018 procedures from Marina Papeete and a link to Marine Protected Areas in French Poly as of 2018 2018.3 20-Sep-2018 Various updates by Jacaranda 2018.4 20-Oct-2018 More updates by Jacaranda Updates on Bora Bora, Maupiti, and Maupihaa by a crewmember 2018.5 28-Nov-2018 from Consensus Ciguatera warning. Lungta update on leaving your boat a Baie 2019.1 21-Feb-2019 Phaeton. Page 2 Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 9 1.1 ORGANIZATION OF THE GUIDE ............................................................................................ 9 1.2 OVERVIEW OF THE SOCIETY ISLANDS .................................................................................. 9 1.3 CLEARANCE IN AND OUT ..................................................................................................... 9 1.3.1 Visa Issues for non-EU Citizens .............................................................................. 9 1.3.2 Clearing in to Papeete ........................................................................................... 10 1.3.3 Clearing Out of Papeete ........................................................................................ 11 1.3.4 Clearing Out of Bora Bora or Raiatea .................................................................... 11 1.4 MANEUVERING AND ANCHORING IN THE SOCIETIES ............................................................ 12 1.4.1 Anchoring in Coral ................................................................................................. 12 1.4.2 Marine Protected Areas ......................................................................................... 14 1.4.3 Using Out-Island Moorings .................................................................................... 14 1.5 WEATHER ........................................................................................................................ 16 1.5.1 General Societies Weather Conditions May-July .................................................. 16 1.5.2 Cyclones in the Society Islands ............................................................................. 16 1.5.3 Weather Sources – With Onboard Email/SSB ...................................................... 17 1.5.4 Weather Sources – Voice ...................................................................................... 20 1.5.5 Weather Sources – Internet ................................................................................... 21 1.5.6 Understanding the Weather Patterns .................................................................... 22 1.5.7 Professional Weather Routing ............................................................................... 23 1.6 OBTAINING PARTS & SUPPLIES ......................................................................................... 23 1.6.1 Importing Parts Duty-Free ..................................................................................... 23 1.6.2 Rigging and Sail Repair ......................................................................................... 26 1.6.3 Money .................................................................................................................... 27 1.6.4 Diesel and Gasoline ............................................................................................... 28 1.6.5 Misc Boat Parts ...................................................................................................... 28 1.6.6 Propane ................................................................................................................. 29 1.6.7 Groceries ............................................................................................................... 31 1.6.8 Water ..................................................................................................................... 31 1.6.9 Obtaining Medication and Prescription Drugs ....................................................... 32 1.7 GETTING VISITORS IN AND OUT ........................................................................................ 32 1.8 COMMUNICATIONS ........................................................................................................... 33 1.8.1 VHF ........................................................................................................................ 33 1.8.2 SSB Radio Nets ..................................................................................................... 33 1.8.3 Telephones & Cell Phones .................................................................................... 34 1.8.4 Internet Access ...................................................................................................... 35 1.8.5 News ...................................................................................................................... 37 1.9 DIVING ............................................................................................................................ 38 1.10 HAULOUT, STORAGE, AND REPAIR FACILITIES ................................................................... 38 1.10.1 Techni-Marine in Papeete...................................................................................... 39 1.10.2 Tahiti Nautic in Port Phaeton, Tahiti ...................................................................... 40 1.10.3 Raiatea Carenage .................................................................................................. 40 1.10.4 CNI Boatyard Raiatea ............................................................................................ 40 1.11 EATING THE FISH (CIGUATERA!) ........................................................................................ 41 1.12 CRUISING SOURCES ......................................................................................................... 42 1.12.1 Cruiser Reports ...................................................................................................... 43 Page 3 1.12.2 Dream Yacht Charter (DYC) (2011) ...................................................................... 46 1.12.3 Pacific Puddle Jump Yahoo Group ........................................................................ 46 1.12.4 Noonsite ................................................................................................................. 46 1.12.5 Seven Seas Cruising Association .......................................................................... 47 1.12.6 Sea Seek ............................................................................................................... 47 1.13 PRINTED SOURCES .......................................................................................................... 47 1.13.1 French for Cruisers ................................................................................................ 47 1.13.2 Cruising Guide to Tahiti and the French Society Islands – Marcia Davock .......... 48 1.13.3 Charlie’s Charts of Polynesia ................................................................................ 48 1.13.4 South Pacific Anchorages – Warwick Clay ............................................................ 48 1.13.5 Guide to Navigation and Tourism in French Polynesia (French) .......................... 48 1.13.6 The Pacific Crossing Guide – RCC Pilotage Foundation ...................................... 48 1.13.7 Landfalls of Paradise – Earl Hinz .......................................................................... 48 1.13.8 Pacific Crossing Notes – Nadine Slavinski ............................................................ 48 1.13.9 Cruising Guide to the Leeward Islands of Tahiti – The Moorings ......................... 48 1.13.10 NEW Tahiti Cruiser’s Guide Online ................................................................... 49 1.13.11 Dream Yacht Charters Guide to the Leeward Islands ....................................... 49 1.13.12 The French Polynesia Diving Guide .................................................................. 49 1.13.13 Diving in Tahiti Guide ........................................................................................