Tahiti Base Guide
About the Marina | Cruising Grounds | Around the Base | Provisioning | Things to Do | Water Toys & Sports
Whether this is your fifth trip or the first of many, we want you to feel at home when you're at a Moorings base.
About the Marina
Address
The Moorings Raiatea Base
BP 331
98735 Uturoa
Raiatea Island
Tel: (+689) 777 003
Base Hours
7:30 AM - 17:00 PM, 7 days a week.
Marina Facilities
Bathrooms, water and fuel at the dock, bar, restaurants, souvenirs shop, snorkeling gear, dive center, fax, public phone, internet, dinghies or kayaks, tourist brochures and information, weather forecast.
Marina Information
Marina Apooiti
The Moorings' base is located at Marina Apooiti which is 5 minutes from the airport, situated on the North shore of Raiatea island. The berth and outside moorings are free of charge for the Moorings boats. The boat's tanks are full on delivery of the charter yacht. Fuel tanks can be filled at the Moorings' Marina, as well as at the islands of Bora-Bora (Bloody Mary) and Huahine (Main harbor) Moorings' yachts are equipped with 12 V refrigerators Ice cubes, or ice blocks are available at Moorings Store base.
Marina Uturoa
One nautical mile NE of the Marina Apooiti, there is pass Tearearahi between the South cardinal beacon of the BGC and the North cardinal beacon of the reef extending north of the airport. Marina Uturoa is one nautical mile ESE of passe Tearearahi and close to the town and its shops.
Cruising Grounds
Experience Level
A sailing qualifications is not mandatory to charter here - but you must demonstrate that you have the necessary experience and ability. If our base staff are not confident in your ability when you arrive, they will arrange for a Moorings skipper to travel with you - at your own expense. Please ensure you have completed a Sailing Resume to ensure you have the necessary experience required.
View or download our Tahiti cruising guide
Moorings - A listing of sites where moorings are located is covered in the chart briefing.
Buoying:
- In all European waters, the International A system is used and not the B system that is used in American and Caribbean waters. Beacons and buoys are used to mark entrance into passes and to ports and some large bays.
- Port-hand on entering: red cylinder.
- Starboard-hand on entering: green cone.
Cruising Area Restrictions
This information is covered in the chart briefing.
* For passages to the islands of Raiatea, Bora Bora, Huahine and Tahaa, the base asks for clients to sign a waiver attesting to their experience in making such long passages.
* Passing to the south of Raiatea (Passe Nao Nao) is prohibited.
It is strictly forbidden to sail alone, we require two persons minimum on board.
Charts & Pilot Books
All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are issued at your chart briefing.
Nighttime Sailing
You must be moored at least one hour before sunset. Night Sailing is not allowed without permission from the base manager. The decision to allow night sailing is based on your skill level and can be requested in advance. You will need to fill out the Sailing or Power resume for the base to review but we cannot guarantee approval.
Cruising Permits & Taxes
Cruising permits are not required in Tahiti.
Around the Base
Accommodations
L'Hibiscus de Tahaa - Hotel, Restaurant, Yacht Club & Spa
Taha'a Private Island Relai & Chateaux
Sunset Beach Motel
Banks
At 3 mi. from the Moorings, in the main town of Uturoa you will find several banks each with a cash dispenser.
Hours: 7:30 am - 11:30 am and 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Currencies / Money Exchange
Currency: The currency used in French Polynesia is the French Pacific franc, or CFP. Though exchange rates vary, there are approximately 100 CFP to the U.S. dollar. Notes come in denominations of 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000, and coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100.
Accepted Forms of Payment: The Pacific Franc is the common money in French Polynesia. Euros and US Dollars are accepted throughout the Leeward Islands. Visa and MasterCard are also accepted in most of the larger restaurants and supermarkets.
Post Office
A Post Office is located in Uturoa 5 KM from the base.
Monday to Friday: from 7.30am to 3.00pm during week time and from 8.00am to 10.00am during weekends.
Stamps, post cards, letterbox are available at Moorings base.
Dining
La Croix du Sud
La voile D'Or
Club House
Provisioning
The Moorings Provisioning
Online Provisioning is available.
Visit our Provisioning Page to learn more about delivery direct to your yacht.
Supermarkets
There is an excellent central market in downtown Uturoa, located between the docking area and the main road going through downtown Uturoa. It is the main village of Raiatea and is 4 KM from the base. Whatever is available on the island comes from Uturoa so you will find everything you need from meat to fruits & veggies and more.
The market is open 6 days a week, 7:30 a.m. to 6pm, with limited hours on Sunday 6am to 11:30am. Take a taxi from the base to the supermarket. When you are finished with your shopping, the supermarket will conveniently deliver your provisioning to your boat.
Things to Do
Interesting Sites
Please visit the Itinerary Page for more of the best places to visit on your trip. While you are in Tahiti take the opportunity to visit these other cultural attractions.
Pearl farms
Taputapuatea’s marae
Mount Temehani, only place where the “Tiare Apetahi”, a very rare flower can be seen
Mount Tapioi, the nicest view over the Leeward Islands
You can go upstream the river Faaroa, birthplace of all Polynesian migrations, by dinghy or kayak (available at the base).
Water Toys & Sports
For your convenience, you can add water toys to your charter prior to arrival at the base. They will be waiting on your boat upon arrival. You are able to rent these at the base; please keep in mind that we have limited availability. For more information, please view our Water Sports Options.
Water Sports
Kayaks can be added to your charter contract.
Snorkeling
The Moorings provides snorkeling gear (flippers, masks & snorkels) for all charters for your pleasure. Children's sizes are very limited; you may wish to pack your own snorkeling gear.
Those wishing to scuba dive should bring their certification card. Some scuba diving companies provide a beginners' course. You will find scuba diving companies on Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora and Huahine. Some will allow you to rent the equipment if you have the proper certification and plan to dive with two or more people. Check at the Moorings' office and we can help you plan your dives.
To help you avoid traveling with an extra bag, The Moorings has snorkeling material (fins, masks and snorkels) available at the base. They are stored in the briefing room; just ask Customer Service for assistance.
The hiring of diving gear can be arranged prior to charter or on-site.
Thanks to the area's relatively low population, the waters around Raiatea and Tahaa are never depleted of fish. Local fish include jackfish, mahi-mahi, marlin, sailfish and tuna.
Fishing equipment is available at our base for daily fee. Please check with your Vacation planner for details. Fishing license is not needed for leisure fishing. License is only required if you are selling the fish.
For more information on what's included on your yacht, please view the full list here for Bareboat Charters or here for Crewed Charters.
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