Service· Hao· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Hao Gendarmerie
18° 6.6′ S · 140° 54.4′ W · approximate
Hao's gendarmes expect every arriving yacht to report, even boats already cleared into French Polynesia. It is free, friendly and takes about ten minutes.
Practical
Hours (2020): Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri 7am-10am; Wed 2pm-5pm; Sat 8am-noon. Phone +689 87 79 62 03 (compendium). From the main quay, turn left onto the main road, past the church, take the third right, and it is on the right, near the dispensary; about a 10-minute walk. Bring passports, boat registration, French Polynesia entry paperwork and any carte de séjour. They also ask for call sign, MMSI and radio type (VHF/SSB). If you arrive after hours they may ask you to come back in the afternoon. Hao is not a port of entry for arrivals from abroad: clear into French Polynesia first (for example at Rikitea, Gambier). Position approximate: placed in Otepa village just SE of the main quay, derived from the compendium's walking directions; confirm on arrival. Noonsite (updated July 2025) confirms Hao is not a port of entry and that the gendarmes want yachts to check in even if already cleared into the country elsewhere, and calls them friendly and helpful with local knowledge.
Best for
Mandatory local check-in