Service· Hao· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Hao Supply Ships (Taporo VIII and Nuku Hao)
18° 6.5′ S · 140° 54.5′ W · approximate
Cargo ships call at Otepa's main wharf about every three weeks with fuel drums, gas, beer and groceries, and the whole village turns out.
Practical
The Soggy Paws compendium lists the Taporo VIII calling at Amanu and Hao, and the Gambier compendium describes the Nuku Hao (phone +689 40 54 99 54) running a Gambier route and delivering fuel. Two ships serve Hao and their schedules vary; the mairie posts them. Buy 200 L diesel drums direct (cash XPF; the duty-free certificate is not always honoured). Magasin Jojo opens on Sunday mornings when a ship is in. Keep clear of the wharf on ship days. Position approximate: placed at the Otepa main quay, about 100 m NE of the anchoring spots cruisers logged just off the wharf (Soggy Paws compendium); the exact building was not located on a map. The commune's 2019 profile lists Nuku Hau (spelled this way there), Taporo 8 and Saint-Xavier Maris Stella (SXMS) 3 and 4, with 50 calls made in 2017 and two quays: Quai Otepa (60 m of berthing, 3 m draft) and Quai Louarn (172 m, 6 m draft).
Best for
Fuel drums and restocking on ship day