Hiva Oa - General Info
Where is Hiva Oa?
Lying northeast of Tahiti, Hiva Oa is one of the two largest of the Marquesas Islands and is the most convenient Port of Entry into French Polynesia when arriving from the Galapagos Islands. While this is a busy stopover port for many, it’s also a delightful place to explore and you may find it hard to move on.
Entrance Notes and Cautions for Hiva Oa:
Baie Tahauku is the main anchorage at Hiva Oa at Atuona Harbour. It is still a small place and with no moorings and boats have been known to drag anchor.
Cruiser Highlights for Hiva Oa:
Whenever the Aranui cargo/passenger ship is visiting, sailors are welcome to participate in the local fair with arts and draft demonstrations, food tasting and more. Usually from 09:00 to 14:00 in the town center. The local population, including the mayor and his staff are supportive of cruisers and realize the beneficial impact they can have.
The village of Atuona with its bay of black sand is the last resting place of two world famous artists: the painter Paul Gauguin and the singer Jacques Brel. Visitors can pay their respects at their graves which are on the high ground above the village. The village has a cultural center dedicated to Paul Gauguin and at the Espace Jacques Brel museum the exhibits include the small plane that belonged to Jacques Brel.
Position – entrance to the bay:
09°48.47’S, 139°02.0’W
Last updated: June 2024
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Related to following destinations: French Polynesia, Hiva Oa, Marquesas
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S/Y Lady Jane
Hiva-Oa
May 2019.
Upon arrival on a Friday at 2.30pm we were told by other sailors that the gendarmerie is only open during the week until 11am. This is not the case and it is definitely open in the afternoons and on a Saturday and they will allow you to clear in after 11am. These are the opening times :
Mon – Sat 7am – 12noon 2pm- 5 pm
Sunday – 9am-12noon 3pm- 5pm
The anchorage was fairly busy but we found a spot with our stern to the beach and put out our stern anchor. We didn’t really feel any swell whilst we were here for 5 days. As per other comments you need to anchor behind the 2 crosses that are situated on the shore ( these are not obvious)!
The main reason for this is when the cruise ships and the supply ship comes in you would need to move if you are forward of these marks.
The walk to the town takes 30 mins, across the beach and up the hill. Do not use this route if it has been raining heavily because it can be slippery underfoot and you will be very dirty when you get to the top. The road way adds an extra 25 minutes but it is a flat easy walk. But very dark at night.
Sandra’s cafe is open Monday -Saturday 8.30 – 10.30am and she changes the password on a daily basis but once you have it for that day it is good all day. There is no actual charge for internet ( which can be very slow ), you just need to buy a drink, she also accepts USD . As with other reports Sandra will arrange all things for you. And will drive you town rather than you walking.
The petrol station accepts credit cards and has a reasonable stock of groceries .eggs and baguettes etc. Same prices as in the town supermarket.
The restaurant on the right hand side before you get to the town has very fast internet, you will get the password after you’ve ordered lunch or dinner. The portions are huge. Pizza is served at night, you can share one.
We also got a lift back to the wharf from the restaurant ( no charge). Opening times for the restaurant are:
11am -2pm
6pm- 9pm
It also has rooms above and we think they serve breakfast too.
For further information see our website http://www.untilthebuttermelts.com
Reported by Bob Carlisle:
Tahouna Bay/Atouna, Hiva Oa, Marquesa Islands, July 2018
WARNING OF TEMPORARY ANCHORING RESTRICTIONS:
Probably not too many are heading that way right now, but when the next Pacific crossing season gets up and running, this is one of the main arrival/check-in ports for the Marquesa Islands and space is going to be restricted.
W
hen we visited in July 2018 there were notices posted stating that due to dredging works programmed for mid-July to late-December, the anchorage would be restricted to an area north of the dinghy dock and presumably you’ll need to get your anchor & chain behind that line too? That area’s predominantly very shallow and I’d estimate that no more than half a dozen yachts will be able to squeeze in there, of which there seems to be four or five semi-permanent yachts already.
Works hadn’t begun when we left in August, so it’s reasonable to assume that the works will overrun and these restrictions will continue at least into the early months of 2019 when the Puddle Jumpers begin to arrive in numbers. You can anchor off outside the harbour wall, but in all but very light weather with little south in the winds/seas that’s an uncomfortable option at best.
Even with ‘normal’ restrictions in place you’ll be twin anchored if you’re inside the harbour wall and be wary of the Aranui cruise/supply ship’s arrival if anchored close to the dock on the east side (the red Taporo supply ship invariably seems to be a lot more careful and courteous?).
Whilst we were sat comfortably ‘behind the line’ our anchor wasn’t and the Aranui first tripped that when dropping their own anchor, before ‘blasting’ us sideways a few seconds later with their powerful bow thruster as they docked; no gel-coat was lost, so just an interesting experience.