Onboard a Superyacht

Captains

Stopover in Polynesia

Premium Guide for Captains. Sail between Tahiti and the atolls: customs, visas, charter & refit in Papeete. All the essentials for an exceptional stopover.

Entry formalities

Customs procedure

The island of Tahiti is the main port of entry for ships, although exceptional customs clearance can be arranged in other archipelagos on prior request. On arrival, yachts are granted temporary duty-free admission for a period of 36 months.

This advantageous regime also extends to spare parts in transit and zero-rated fuel, the supply of which is facilitated by the assistance of a local shipping agent.

Immigration and residence

European Union citizens have unlimited access to French Polynesia, while other nationalities are limited to three months on a tourist visa. For longer stays, a long-term visa must be obtained before entering the country. Non-EU nationals must present proof of repatriation or a return ticket. In exceptional cases, a 15-day visa may be issued on arrival by sea.

Regulations

Charter is authorised under strict conditions: the ship must be worth more than €838,000 and have a minimum daily rate of €1,675. The crew must include at least three permanent professionals. The authorisation, which comes with no registration fee, is valid for six renewable months, with a processing time of five to six weeks. A tax of 5% is applied to gross sales, with the procedures generally initiated by an agent before arrival.

Navigation

No specific sailing licence is required to explore our waters. The proximity of the islands within the same archipelago makes for short crossings, with the emphasis on anchoring in sheltered bays or protected lagoons. Tahiti remains the nerve centre for provisioning, with high-quality local and imported products. For the more isolated islands, air freight via the domestic airline can deliver fresh provisions directly to your boat.

Infrastructure

The Port of Papeete offers comprehensive maintenance facilities, including a 300-tonne lift for vessels up to 40 metres, a slipway for 60-metre vessels and a floating dock capable of handling 150-metre yachts. The Marina Taina, close to the airport, and the dedicated quay in the town centre have security services and video surveillance. Development projects are underway with the port authorities to increase capacity.

Health

Vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory for all travellers aged over 9 months who have spent time in an endemic area. A certificate may be required on arrival. With regard to animals, it is strictly forbidden to import birds. Dogs and cats may be imported subject to prior declaration and compliance with quarantine procedures. Finally, it is strictly forbidden to land animal products such as meat.

Health obligations

For all vessels arriving from a port outside French Polynesia:

Inform the biosafety service in Mata-Utu: secretariat@biosecurite.gov.pf
Tel: 40544585

If you are travelling with a pet, contact the animal service: animal.impex@biosecurite.gov.pf

If your vessel has visited an infested port in the 9 months prior to its arrival in French Polynesia:

The ship must dock at the port of Papeete in Tahiti
A deratting treatment must be carried out

If your vessel has not visited an infested port in the 9 months prior to arrival in French Polynesia:

The vessel must dock at an official port of entry
The territory is known to be infested with Oryctes spp. and Scapanes spp.

Exploring other segments

Discover the other market segments of Tahiti & Her Islands and identify the different opportunities and types of customer associated with them.