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| Tuamotus / Tikehau / Tuherahera wharf |
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For boats
General
about tides and currents on Tuamotus:
The majority of the atolls have at least one break in the reef called pass. But only some passes are wide and deep enough to permit a cruising sailboat to enter through them.
The current runs strong in and out of these passes. How strong is current depends on a lot of
factors including the moon cycle, wind and wave conditions outside, how big the atoll is, how
narrow the pass is, which way the pass faces, and how many passes atoll has.
If the wind opposes the current, there can be large standing waves. And if there are strong
winds or large swell, there can be as much as 8 knots of current. So it is always best to aim to enter the pass at slack or near-slack tide.
Some passes are east-facing, and these passes will be dicey on the outgoing current. Some
passes are west-facing, and these passes will most dicey on the incoming current.
Entering / leaving the atolls become danger when:
1. A strong wind opposing a strong current. This is just classic wind-against-sea and can
always produce uncomfortable and/or dangerous conditions. It is best to try to plan
your arrival at an unknown pass in mild conditions and in good light.
2. When the wind is blowing hard (over 20 knots) out of the SE thru West
3. When the wave heights are high (over 1.5 meters) from the SE thru West.
Strong winds and/or waves from East push a large volume of water over the reef into the lagoon, and the only way for this huge volume of water to get out is through the pass. In this conditions (strong wind for several days) there may be NO SLACK AT ALL.
In Tidal Tables or any other Tide software or information available in internet on Tuamotus there are only few points with information about HW and LW (the biggest atolls). If you are between them you can use a simple interpolation to calculate HW and LW time. It works, not very precise but it does.
So, there is no easy way to predict current or slack water in passes, but you can follow this tips:
The atoll and the pass
There is only one pass into the lagoon of Tikehau. Passe Tuheiava lies 7 miles N of the main village; This passage is located on the W coast, 100m wide, 4m deep, no marks inside the pass and the current can easy reach 6kn. It is not easy going pass – be care.
Inside the pass there is a route to the Tuherahera village marked by green / red and cardinal buoys.
The main village Tuherahera is 7NM South from the pass, you will see houses and concrete wharf.
The wharf
There is a long main wharf (looks like turned letter L) used by supply ship which coming there every week. Leave the head of the wharf free for ship, but you can moor inside the wharf. There is enough place for 2-3 boats. Uou can moor a long side. The depth is 3 to 2 meters.
The position of wharf berth place is located on:
15 06.819S and 148 14.381W
Formalities:
Tikehau is not a port of entry, no possibility to check in or out.
Fuel
Not easy to buy. Ask in the shops.
Water
No official tap point on the wharf. There is a tap inside the hangar – ask local people for access. You can buy that water (payment in Town Hall – 10XPF per liter), than tank to your jugs.
Gas
Bottles available in the shops (not all the time). No possibility to refill no Polynesian bottles.
Cash
No bank, no ATM. Payment in US dollars is rather not accepted.
Provisioning:
The town has three shops. Limited products, especially vegetables and fruits.
Other:
A church, post office, city hall.
Airport:
Airport is located at the end of the village. Easy access. Flights to Papeete.
The majority of the atolls have at least one break in the reef called pass. But only some passes are wide and deep enough to permit a cruising sailboat to enter through them.
The current runs strong in and out of these passes. How strong is current depends on a lot of
factors including the moon cycle, wind and wave conditions outside, how big the atoll is, how
narrow the pass is, which way the pass faces, and how many passes atoll has.
If the wind opposes the current, there can be large standing waves. And if there are strong
winds or large swell, there can be as much as 8 knots of current. So it is always best to aim to enter the pass at slack or near-slack tide.
Some passes are east-facing, and these passes will be dicey on the outgoing current. Some
passes are west-facing, and these passes will most dicey on the incoming current.
Entering / leaving the atolls become danger when:
1. A strong wind opposing a strong current. This is just classic wind-against-sea and can
always produce uncomfortable and/or dangerous conditions. It is best to try to plan
your arrival at an unknown pass in mild conditions and in good light.
2. When the wind is blowing hard (over 20 knots) out of the SE thru West
3. When the wave heights are high (over 1.5 meters) from the SE thru West.
Strong winds and/or waves from East push a large volume of water over the reef into the lagoon, and the only way for this huge volume of water to get out is through the pass. In this conditions (strong wind for several days) there may be NO SLACK AT ALL.
In Tidal Tables or any other Tide software or information available in internet on Tuamotus there are only few points with information about HW and LW (the biggest atolls). If you are between them you can use a simple interpolation to calculate HW and LW time. It works, not very precise but it does.
So, there is no easy way to predict current or slack water in passes, but you can follow this tips:
- Slack is about 1-2 hrs after HW and LW
- Never sail through the pass during the night
- Observe the water and waves in the pass when approaching from the see by binoculars
- Just try to enter / leave, but if the current is to strong go back and wait until condition will change (usually 2-3 hours)
The atoll and the pass
There is only one pass into the lagoon of Tikehau. Passe Tuheiava lies 7 miles N of the main village; This passage is located on the W coast, 100m wide, 4m deep, no marks inside the pass and the current can easy reach 6kn. It is not easy going pass – be care.
Inside the pass there is a route to the Tuherahera village marked by green / red and cardinal buoys.
The main village Tuherahera is 7NM South from the pass, you will see houses and concrete wharf.
The wharf
There is a long main wharf (looks like turned letter L) used by supply ship which coming there every week. Leave the head of the wharf free for ship, but you can moor inside the wharf. There is enough place for 2-3 boats. Uou can moor a long side. The depth is 3 to 2 meters.
The position of wharf berth place is located on:
15 06.819S and 148 14.381W
Formalities:
Tikehau is not a port of entry, no possibility to check in or out.
Fuel
Not easy to buy. Ask in the shops.
Water
No official tap point on the wharf. There is a tap inside the hangar – ask local people for access. You can buy that water (payment in Town Hall – 10XPF per liter), than tank to your jugs.
Gas
Bottles available in the shops (not all the time). No possibility to refill no Polynesian bottles.
Cash
No bank, no ATM. Payment in US dollars is rather not accepted.
Provisioning:
The town has three shops. Limited products, especially vegetables and fruits.
Other:
A church, post office, city hall.
Airport:
Airport is located at the end of the village. Easy access. Flights to Papeete.
For crews
No WC or
shower on shore.
Tuherahera is a very friendly but small village.
There is a church, be there during Sunday service – nice songs.
Tuherahera is a very friendly but small village.
There is a church, be there during Sunday service – nice songs.
Fees
Anchorage - no fees
Berthing to the wharf – no fees
Water – 10 XPF per liter
Berthing to the wharf – no fees
Water – 10 XPF per liter
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