The Tuamotus Compendium A Compilation of Guidebook References and Cruising Reports IMPORTANT: USE ALL INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT AT YOUR OWN RISK!! Rev 2021.9 – July 23, 2021 Please send us updates to this guide! Keep the Tuamotus compendium alive by being a contributor. We are especially looking for information on places where we have no cruiser information and new information on existing content. It’s easy to participate and will help many other cruisers for years to come. Simply email your updates along with your boat details. Email Soggy Paws at sherry –at- svsoggypaws –dot- com. You can also contact us on Sailmail at WDI5677 The current home (and the most up to date) version of this document is: http://svsoggypaws.com/files/#frpoly If you found this compendium posted elsewhere, it might not be the most current version. Please check the above site for the most up to date copy and remember, it will always be free! Page 1 Revision Log Many thanks to all who have contributed over the years!! Rev Date Notes 2021.9 July 23, 2021 Air Tahiti Seniors Discount 2021.8 June 28, 2021 Minor update to Toau 2021.7 June 19, 2021 Updates to Katiu from Eastern Stream Updates: Raroia, Amanu, Fakarava, & Toau by Grace of Longstone. Changes to Hao, 2021.6 June 11, 2021 Amanu, Tahanea & Fakarava from Sugar Shack. New Info on Faaite from Slingshot. 2021.5 April 21, 2021 Various revisions and updates from Ari B 2021.4 April 5, 2021 Various revisions and updates from Sugar Shack & more updates from Trance. 2021.3 February 20, 2021 Updates from Trance on Fakarava, Toau, and Rangiroa 2021.2 February 11, 2021 Updates from Sea Dragon on Ahe, Kamoka Pearl Farm. 2021.1 January 4, 2021 Updates from Chugach on Motutunga. 2020.5 December 22, 2020 Updates from Sugar Shack, Hoodoo, and Luci Para 2. 2020.4 July 27, 2020 Updates from Sugar Shack on Hao, Amanu, and Tahanea Removed Gambiers archipelago. The Gambiers archipelago has been moved to the 2020.3 June 1, 2020 new Gambiers and Australs Compendium. Completed by Sugar Shack. 2020.2 February 24, 2020 Minor updates on Tahanea anchorages 2020.1 January 4, 2020 Reorganization of compendium and updates from s/v Sugar Shack 2019.5 June 15, 2019 Minor update on Hao from Jacaranda. Jacaranda updates on Kuahei and Amanu. Hao and Tikehau updates from Nehenehe. 2019.4 June 6, 2019 Various updates from Moana. Gambiers updates from Chugach. 2019.3 April 13, 2019 Jacaranda updates on Kuahei & Amanu; Nehenehe updates Hao & Tikehau. 2019.2 February 21, 2019 Makemo, Fakarava updates from Nehenehe. Fakarava updates from Lungta 2019.1 January 22, 2019 Added section on Ciguatera 2018.5 November 28, 2018 Update by Dr. No, Jacaranda, Kokpeli and Consensus. 2018.4 September 20, 2018 Updates in several places by Jacaranda 2018.3 August 28, 2018 Update on Aratika by Chaos. 2018.2 August 14, 2018 Added a link to the document on Marine Protected Areas in French Polynesia. Updates on Cell Phones from Jacaranda. Pitufa on nesting birds in Tahanea. A report 2018.1 May 29, 2018 on stopping at Makatea from Fulvio, and some updates on Fakarava. 2017.7 August 25, 2017 Ahe (Sea Dragon), and revised wpts in Apataki to get to Carenage from Tehere 2017.6 June 30, 2017 Updates from Duplicat with info on Amanu, Hao, and Fakarava 2017.5 June 16, 2017 Updates from Shindig with Makemo bommie list, and a few updates from Spunky. …Many Updates Over the Years… 2010 March 2010 Collection of notes first assembled I would like to extend a Huge Thanks to Christine Mitchell of s/v Sugar Shack For revamping this 10-year-old Compendium in 2019/2020 and Chuck Hoolihan of s/v Jacaranda for his unfailing dedication to sharing cruisers’ information in French Polynesia Page 2 Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................................ 8 1.1 ORGANIZATION OF THE GUIDE ........................................................................................................................................ 8 1.2 OVERVIEW OF THE TUAMOTUS ....................................................................................................................................... 8 1.2.1 NW Tuamotus ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 1.2.2 SE Tuamotus ....................................................................................................................................................... 9 1.3 CLEARANCE AND VISA GUIDELINES .................................................................................................................................. 9 1.3.1 Entry procedures for EU Citizens ......................................................................................................................... 9 1.3.2 Entry Procedures non-EU Citizens ....................................................................................................................... 9 1.3.3 The French Polynesia Bond (Repatriation Guarantee) ...................................................................................... 10 1.3.4 Long Stay Visa ................................................................................................................................................... 11 1.3.5 Do I Need an Agent? ......................................................................................................................................... 11 1.3.6 Clearing Out of French Polynesia ...................................................................................................................... 12 1.3.7 Vessels length of stay ....................................................................................................................................... 12 1.3.8 Custom Patrols.................................................................................................................................................. 13 1.3.9 Arriving and Departing Crew ............................................................................................................................ 13 1.4 MANEUVERING AND ANCHORING IN THE TUAMOTUS ........................................................................................................ 13 1.4.1 Tides, Currents, and Passes .............................................................................................................................. 13 1.4.2 Estimating Slack Tide ........................................................................................................................................ 14 1.4.3 Official French Polynesia Tide Tables ................................................................................................................ 16 1.4.4 Other Tide Information Sources ........................................................................................................................ 17 1.4.5 Marine Protected Areas Guide ......................................................................................................................... 17 1.4.6 Anchoring around Coral .................................................................................................................................... 17 1.4.7 Using Out-Island Moorings ............................................................................................................................... 19 1.4.8 Navigation in Areas with Coral ......................................................................................................................... 20 1.5 WEATHER ................................................................................................................................................................ 21 1.6 YACHTSMEN SERVICES ................................................................................................................................................ 21 1.6.1 Cooking Gas (Propane/Butane) ........................................................................................................................ 21 1.6.2 Fuel (Diesel/Gasoline) ....................................................................................................................................... 21 1.6.3 Trash & Recycling ............................................................................................................................................. 22 1.6.4 Water ................................................................................................................................................................ 22 1.7 GENERAL SERVICES..................................................................................................................................................... 23 1.7.1 Air Tahiti ........................................................................................................................................................... 23 1.7.2 Bank / ATMs (Money) ....................................................................................................................................... 23 1.7.3 Marine Supplies (Boat Parts) ............................................................................................................................ 24 1.7.4 Importing Parts Duty-Free ................................................................................................................................ 24 1.7.5 Shipping Items In or Out ..................................................................................................................................