Raiatea
...is the second largest island in French Polynesia, situated 120 miles Northwest of Tahiti. The population numbers 11 133 (on Nov 02) and Uturoa, the principal village, is the administrative center of the Leeward Society islands. For the polynesian Maohi, ancestor of to day tahitian, Raiatea was known as Sacred Havai'i, and was the center of royalty, religion, culture, history.

AIRLINES

TO TAHITI	From TAHITI to RAIATEA
Air France Air New Zealand Qantas Lan Chile Hawaian Airlines Air Tahiti Nui Air Calin	Air Tahiti

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS

You can clear custom and immigration or with the "gendarme" in the Marquesas Islands (Atuona in Hiva Oa, Taiohae in Nuku Hiva), in Tahiti (Papeete) and in the Leewards Islands (Bora bora and Raiatea).
Entry requirements are not the same for every body, it depends of the crew nationality and the boat flag; entry regulation change often.
Up to now you can leave your yacht (during 2 years) in storage and fly home.

For last update on entry requirement and yacht regulation contact:

Custom office:
Service des Douanes (branche navigation)
BP 9006 Papeete
Tahiti
tel. +(689) 50 55 73

Immigration office:
PAF/Immigration
BP 6362 FAA'A
Tahiti
tel. +(689) 42 40 74

Haut Commisariat/DRCL
rue Jeanne d'arc
BP 115 Papeete
Tahiti
tel. +(689) 54 27 00

Quarantine services :
Ministère de l'Agriculture
BP 100 Papeete
Tahiti :
services vétérinaires : tel +(689) 42 81 44 fax +(689) 42 08 31
services phytosanitaires : tel +(689) 42 97 80 fax +(689) 41 05 30

On Internet, you can find other usefull informations by visiting:

www.marquises.pf
www.voyageatahiti.com
www.gototahiti.com
www.tahiti-tourisme.com
www.tahiti-ocean.com


MINI GUIDE : CLIMATE - MONEY - LANGUAGE

French Polynesian Islands enjoy a Tropical climate,
with a "dry" season May to October and a "wet" season November to April;
hurricane season : December to April.

French Polynesia has a high standard of health with excellent medical and dental services.
No vaccine requirement except for visitors arriving from an infected area.

Tahiti is GMT minus 10 H and Marquesas Islands GMT minus 9 H 30.
International banks in Tahiti and the main Islands.
Change is 1 USD = 80 F.CFP (french polynesian Franc) (on 05/01/2010 )

French and Tahitian are the two official languages but the people in the islands speak also their own language. English is widely spoken and understood.

Please, contact us for more informations :

Chantier Naval des Iles Sous le Vent
Raiatea Marine
BP 799 UTUROA
98735 RAIATEA
POLYNESIE FRANCAISE
Tel : +(689) 66 10 10
Fax : +(689) 66 28 41
e-mail : cni@mail.pf