Raiatea
From CruisersWiki
Raiatea
Background
Raiatea is the first of the Leeward Islands part of the Society Islands in a north/westerly direction, sailing from Tahiti or Moorea. It is the second largest island in French Polynesia after Tahiti and Uturoa on the north of the island is the second largest city, but much smaller than Papeete.
In some respects it is better to have repairs and provisioning done here rather than in Tahiti. A few major yacht charter companies make their base here, and there is a large repair yard called Chantier Naval des Îles which reportedly does good work, as well as several industries that service the charter boat industry. However it is an extra hop by plane or boat from Papeete and so any parts that need to be flown in will take that extra bit longer to arrive.
Almost the entire lagoon of Raiatea is sailable, making it a pleasant place for a sailing cruise as well as a provisioning stop. It has many bays and other interesting places to explore.
Cruising the region
Charts
Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.
Radio Nets
There are no radio nets specific to Raiatea.
Routes to/from
Typically it would be an overnight or day cruise from Moorea to Raiatea. This would be entirely downwind in the cruising season (May to November).
Check-in facilities/Ports of Entry
There is a gendarmerie on Raiatea in the town of Uturoa and so it can be used as a port of entry. For other details see the page on French Polynesia.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- Marina Apooiti is about one mile west of the airport, as you continue (in a north/westerly) direction around the top of the island past Uturoa
- La Marina d'Uturoa, inside Uturoa, is really only a temporary or day stop. They can be contacted via +689 66 31 52
- Chantier Naval des Îles (repair yard) has their own private marina, just a little while after Marina Apooiti, and there is another marina just north of Uturoa but it is reserved as the base for Dream Yacht Charters.
Anchorages
List details of all safe anchorages in the area.
Tourism & things to do ashore
List places of interest, tours, eateries, etc.
Marine stores
Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.
Offshore Islands
- Raiatea and the smaller island of Tahaa to the north share a lagoon, and it's a daytime hop between the two (with views of Bora Bora to the north west).
- Both Raiatea and Tahaa have many small motus which can be used as anchoring stops but most are private (although the beaches of the motus are open access).
References & Publications
Publications, etc.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
Links to relevant websites.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Contributors to this page |
---|
Names: Delatbabel |
|
---|
| HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | South Pacific | French Polynesia | Society Islands | Raiatea | |