The Societies Compendium A Compilation of Guidebook References and Cruising Reports Rev 2021.4 – 29 August 2021 Please send us updates to this guide! Keep the Societies Compendium alive by being a contributor. We are especially looking for information on places where we have no cruiser information, or new information on existing content. It’s easy to participate and will help many other cruisers for years to come. 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 Info on anchoring cautions and restrictions in Raiatea from 2021.4 29 August 2021 Jaraman. A few updates on Moorea from Sugar Shack and Major Tom. 2021.3 23 July 2021 “Seniors” discount on Air Tahiti Updates on Raiatea from Trance. Updates from Ari B, and Grace of 2021.2 15 April 2021 Longstone 2021.1 04 January 2020 Updates from Chugach on Mopelia 2020.4 16 December 2020 Updates from Sugar Shack on Mo’orea 2020.3 08 November 2020 Updates from Uproar on Mopelia 2020.2 07 November 2020 Updates from Sugar Shack, Maple, and Baloo 2020.1 22 February 2020 Reorganization of compendium and updates from Sugar Shack 2019.3 28-July 2019 Updates from Sugar Shack and Cool Change Many updates from Moon Rebel, Bora Bora mooring update from 2019.2 06 June 2019 Nehenehe and Nor’Easter. Tahiti updates from Nehenehe Ciguatera warning. Lungta update on leaving your boat a Baie 2019.1 21 February 2019 Phaeton Updates on Bora Bora, Maupiti, and Maupihaa by a crewmember 2018.5 28 November 2018 from Consensus 2018.4 20 October 2018 More updates by Jacaranda 2018.3 20 September 2018 Various updates from Jacaranda Updates by Mary Ann II for Moorea, plus an outline of clearance 2018.2 15 August 2018 procedures from Marina Papeete and a link to Marine Protected Areas in French Poly as of 2018 Updates by Jacaranda on anchorages on the South Coast of 2018.1 13 August 2018 Raiatea. Theft warning for Opunohu Bay. 2017.5 25 August 2017 Begonia on Bora Bora, Cook’s Bay Moorea notes by Jacaranda A few updates from Spunky, and proper mooring techniques from 2017.4 17 June 2017 Jacaranda Warning about theft in Haamene Bay, Tahaa. (Spunky), plus a few 2017.3 27 May 2017 other updates in the Societies Updates from Mary Ann II on Cyclone probabilities in Tahiti and lots 2017.2 23 March 2017 of little info updates around Tahiti. 2017.1 13 March 2017 Link to the new online Tahiti Cruiser’s Guide … Many updates from many cruisers! A 05 April 2011 First Version Page 2 Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................................11 1.1 ORGANIZATION OF THE GUIDE ...................................................................................................................................... 11 1.2 OVERVIEW OF THE SOCIETY ISLANDS .............................................................................................................................. 11 1.3 CLEARANCE AND VISA GUIDELINES ................................................................................................................................ 11 1.3.1 Entry Proceedures for EU Citizens ..................................................................................................................... 12 1.3.2 Entry Proceedures for non-EU Citizens ............................................................................................................. 12 1.3.3 The French Polynesia Bond ............................................................................................................................... 13 1.3.4 Long Stay Visa (Carte de Sejure) ....................................................................................................................... 13 1.3.5 Do I Need an Agent? ......................................................................................................................................... 14 1.3.6 Clearing in to Papeete ...................................................................................................................................... 14 1.3.7 Clearing Out of French Polynesia from Papeete ............................................................................................... 15 1.3.8 Clearing out of French Polynesia from Bora Bora or Raiatea ........................................................................... 15 1.3.9 U.S. Consulate ................................................................................................................................................... 16 1.3.10 Vessels Length of Stay .................................................................................................................................. 16 1.3.11 Customs Patrols ............................................................................................................................................ 16 1.4 GETTING VISITORS IN AND OUT .................................................................................................................................... 17 1.5 MANEUVERING AND ANCHORING IN THE SOCIETIES .......................................................................................................... 17 1.5.1 Marine Protected Areas .................................................................................................................................... 17 1.5.2 Anchoring in Coral ............................................................................................................................................ 18 1.5.3 Using Out-Island Moorings ............................................................................................................................... 19 1.5.4 Navigating in Areas with Coral ......................................................................................................................... 21 1.6 WEATHER ................................................................................................................................................................ 21 1.7 YACHTSMEN SERVICES ................................................................................................................................................ 22 1.7.1 Cooking Gas (Propane/Butane) ........................................................................................................................ 22 1.7.2 Fuel (Diesel/Gasoline) ....................................................................................................................................... 23 1.7.3 Trash and Recycling .......................................................................................................................................... 24 1.7.4 Water ................................................................................................................................................................ 24 1.8 GENERAL SERVICES..................................................................................................................................................... 25 1.8.1 Air Tahiti ........................................................................................................................................................... 25 1.8.2 Bank / ATMs (Money) ....................................................................................................................................... 25 1.8.3 Marine Supplies (Boat Parts) ............................................................................................................................ 25 1.8.4 Marine Services & Laborers .............................................................................................................................. 26 1.8.5 Importing Parts Duty-Free ................................................................................................................................ 26 1.8.6 Shipping Items In or Out ................................................................................................................................... 27 1.8.7 Flying Stuff in on Air Tahiti................................................................................................................................ 29 1.8.8 Yacht in Transit – Spare Parts ........................................................................................................................... 29 1.8.9 Rigging and Sail Repair ..................................................................................................................................... 29 1.8.10 Concierge Services (Delivery from Tahiti to outer Islands) ........................................................................... 32 1.8.11 Online Delivery Service ................................................................................................................................. 33 1.8.12 Supply Ship Schedules .................................................................................................................................. 34 1.8.13 Medical & Prescriptions ..............................................................................................................................