Service· Tahiti· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Papeete Port Control 'Vigie' (VHF 12)
17° 32.1′ S · 149° 35.2′ W · approximate
The Port autonome de Papeete harbour watch: every yacht movement through Papeete Pass, inside the harbour and along the Faa'a airport lagoon channel goes through this VHF 12 station.
Practical
Position is the Papeete harbour entrance (Noonsite: 17°32.10'S 149°35.20'W), not the tower building. Call on VHF 12 (Noonsite): (A) 10 minutes before entering or leaving Papeete Pass; (B) before mooring at the Papeete yacht-quay pontoons or Marina de Papeete; (C) before any movement in the harbour; (D) before crossing either end of the airport runway, then wait for the 'green light'; (E) before using the lagoon channel to or from Marina Taina, which is forbidden at night. Keep VHF and AIS on and transmitting so Port Control can track you and flights are not delayed. The harbourmaster's office (capitainerie) is on 40 47 48 82 / VHF 12 and the port switchboard +689 40 47 48 00 (2026 notice); port offices open Mon–Thu 7am–3pm, Fri 7am–2pm. Staff speak good English (Noonsite cruiser report, 2019). Under arrêté 686 CM, a vessel with an air draft over 20 m needs prior clearance from the airport tower (requested by the Vigie) to use the pass; the Moorea ferries under 25 m are exempt.
Best for
Getting permission for the pass, the harbour and the runway crossings
Nearby
- Biosecurity Inspection – Papeete (pre-arrival questionnaire)Right here
- Zélée Wreck (Papeete harbour breakwater)0.4 NM away
- Sailtech Sail Loft & Rigging (Motu Uta)0.5 NM away
- Papeete Customs Office – Motu Uta (clearance out, fuel certificates)0.6 NM away
- Comptoir Polynésien – Yamaha Outboards (Papeete)0.8 NM away
- Heiva i Tahiti (July, Place To'ata)0.8 NM away
- Carrefour Faa'a (airport road) & Champion Paofai (Papeete)0.9 NM away
- La Pizzeria (Papeete)0.9 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).