Obligations and formalities
On your arrival
Vessels must fly the yellow flag until the formalities are completed (immigration, customs, phytosanitary) and the courtesy flag.
As of May 9, 2022, health measures have been reduced.
Pleasure vessels can only make their first touchdown in French Polynesia in a “Gendarmerie” office on one of the following islands:
- Tahiti-Papeete
- Moorea–Afareaitu
- Huahine – Fare
- Raiatea – Uturoa
- Bora Bora – Vaitape
- Nuku Hiva–Taiohae
- Hiva Oa–Atuona
- Ua Pou–Hakahau
- Rangiroa – Tiputa
- Mangareva – Rikitea
- Tubuai – Mataura
- Rurutu-Moerai
- Raivavae – Raima
You must send your maritime health declaration to the BVS – Bureau de la veille sanitaire (veille@sante.gov.pf) 48 hours before your arrival in French Polynesia : Download maritime health declaration form here
The captain must also follow the rules in terms of Biosecurity, to know more : https://www.service-public.pf/biosecurite/
In addition, for better management of maritime stopovers in French Polynesia, pleasure craft should provide the Polynesian Department of Maritime Affairs (escales.dpam@administration.gov.pf) with the following information:
- Final arrival/departure island
- Final arrival/departure date
- Vessel name / Vessel Flag
- Identity of the skipper
- Number of people on board
Immigration
Border police / Customs
https://www.demarches-simplifiees.fr/commencer/declaration-unique-plaisance-polynesie-francaise
Insects and animals control (Service du développement rural – SDR)
To protect French Polynesia, which is free of many pests and diseases, the import of any animal, plant and any product of animal or vegetable origin is prohibited. Waivers may be granted under certain conditions by the Rural Development Service. Declaration forms are available on the website. Bringing your pet on land is prohibited. The import of honey is prohibited. Food products of animal origin should be strictly kept onboard.
Stay longer
If you are considering a stay longer than 3 months, it is necessary to request a long term visa, but you must go through these steps before you arrive in French Polynesia, with the French consular authorities in your country of origin, or with the French consulates in your stopovers before.
Applications can be sumitted to the French Embassy in Panama at the earliest 3 months and at the latest one month before the scheduled departure from Panama. With some exceptions, personal appearance at the Embassy is mandatory. The price is € 99 payable in US dollars (the dollar amount varies depending on the applicable rate of Chancelry). Form, explanations, list of documents required. If individuals want to keep their passport pending the processing of their application, they will also need to submit this application duly completed and signed.
Useful addresses
Servitude privée, Papara, Polynésie française
Baie de Cook, Paopao, Moorea, Polynésie française
Uturoa, Îles Sous-le-Vent, Polynésie française
Unnamed Road, Fare, Polynésie française
patio tahaa
Rue Francis Puara Cowan, Papeete, Polynésie française
Rue Frédéric Gadiot, Pirae, Polynésie française
Rangiroa, Îles Tuamotu, Îles Tuamotu-Gambier, Polynésie française
Raivavae, Îles Tubuaï, Îles Australes, Polynésie française
Rurutu, Îles Australes, Polynésie française
Tubuai, Îles Tubuaï, Îles Australes, Polynésie française
Hiva Oa, Southern Group, Îles Marquises, Polynésie française
'Ua Pou, Northern Group, Îles Marquises, Polynésie française
Nuku Hiva, Northern Group, Îles Marquises, Polynésie française
Fare, Huahine, Polynésie française
Raiatea, Uturoa, Îles Sous-le-Vent, Polynésie française
