Sailing on Cargo Boats in French Polynesia

I've always wanted to sail on a cargo boat to the distant eastern Tuamotu islands.

Celeste Brash, author of the Tahiti & French Polynesia (Country Guide) has written on her Coconut Radio blog how to travel French Polynesia via supply ship.

She reports that "there are only three cargo ships left that take passengers to the Tumaotus (the Mareva Nui, Kura Ora and the Marie Stella); there are no boats besides the expensive (but worth it) Aranui to the Marquesas; one boat to the Australs (the Tuhaa Pae); one to the Gambier (the Nuku Hau) and only one for the Society Island circuit (the Hawaiki Nui going from Papeete-Huahine-Raiatea-Tahaa-Bora Bora and back)." Recent tightening of insurance regulations is the cause of this.

She recounts, with photos, a journey that she made a couple of years ago on the Dory (which no longer takes passengers) from Papeete to Ahe.

MAREVA NUI
Motu-Uta, Fare Ute, Papeete
Tél. : (689) 42.25.53
Fax : (689) 42.25.57
Papeete - Mataiva (every other trip) - Tikehau - Rangiroa - Ahe - Manihi - Takaroa - Takapoto - Raraka - Kauehi - Fakarava - Niau - Apataki - Arutua - Kaukura - Makatea -Papeete

KURA ORA II
Motu Uta, Fare Ute, Papeete
Tél : (689) 45.55.45
Fax : (689) 45.55.44
E-mail: kuraora@mail.pf
Papeete - Anaa - Faaite - Katiu - Makemo - Taenga - Takume - Raroia - Hikueru - Marokau -Amanu - Hao - Vahitahi - Reao - Pukarua - Tatakoto - Puka Puka - Fakahina - Fangatau - Napuka - Papeete

SAINT-XAVIER MARIS-STELLA III
Motu Uta, Fare Ute, Papeete
Tél. : (689) 42.23.58
Fax : (689) 43.03.73
E-mail: maris-stella@mail.pf
Papeete - Mataiva - Tikehau -Rangiroa - Ahe - Manihi - Takaroa - Takapoto - Aratika -Kauehi - Raraka - Fakarava -Toau - Niau - Apataki -Arutua - Kaukura - Papeete

Aranui

TUHAA PAE II
Motu-Uta, Fare Ute, Papeete
Tél. : (689) 41.36.06 / 41.36.16
Fax Res. : (689) 43.15.88
E-mail: snathp@mail.pf
One trip every 2 or 3 months to Rapa, and 3-4 trips per month to the other Southern islands of Rimatara- Rurutu - Tubuai - Raivavae.

NUKU HAU
Motu Uta, Fare Ute, Papeete
Tél. :(689) 54.99.54
E-mail: contact@stim.pf
Papeete - Hao - Nengo Nengo -Tureia -Vanavana - Marutea -Rikitea - Tematangi - Anuanuraro - Nukutepipi - Hereheretue - Papeete

HAWAIKI NUI
Tel.: Papeete (689) 54.99.54
Tél.: Bora Bora (689) 67.72.39
Tél.: Huahine (689) 68.78.03
Huahine - Raiatea - Bora Bora - Tahaa

All of the above, of course, is subject to change.