King Tamatoa Ferry on the Run

Tahiti's new inter-island ferry, the Raromatai King Tamatoa, has fled French Polynesia according to a report by Radio New Zealand International:

"The King Tamatoa fast ferry has left French Polynesia in a surprise overnight move as its operators were being pursued in court for debts incurred this year.

The ship left Papeete without making any announcements after it had stopped running its service to the Society Islands.

It is believed the ship is bound for New Caledonia or Fiji.

The transport minister, Louis Frebault, has told Tahitipresse that the ship has been a means to blackmail as its operators sought tax write-offs and fuel subsidies.

Last month, they threatened to pull out of Tahiti, if they failed to get the concessions they wanted.

The government said no and the ferry stopped running, leaving many people stranded."

King Tamatoa Ferry Suspends Service!

Just barely three months after the Raromatai King Tamatoa ferry began operating between Tahiti, Huahine, Raitea and Bora Bora it has suspended service and may be leaving French Polynesia.

According to Tahitipresse the company is seeking a tax exemption to be approved by the French Polynesian government. If it is not granted by June 30th the ferry will head back to Europe and 44 workers will lose their jobs.

Amazing! A general strike is looming and now this.
When I first posted about the ferry I wrote, "I sure hope it lasts unlike the previous ferries that have briefly run between the Society Islands (the Ono Ono, the Aremiti)."

I was so looking forward to traveling on it. Sigh.

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.

The King Tamatoa ferry is running, for real.

The various news outlets reported that the King Tamatoa ferry would begin running from Tahiti to Huahine, Raiatea, and Bora Bora on March 5th. Well, that didn't happen but it did begin running on March 31st. What wonderful news! I sure hope it lasts unlike the previous ferries that have briefly run between the Society Islands (the Ono Ono, the Aremiti).

Departures are from the Quai Sud opposite the GIE Tahiti Tourisme office in downtown Papeete.

The April schedule is:

Wednesdays (Mercredi)

Departs Tahiti 9:00 am
Arrives Huahine 12:00 noon
Departs Huahine 12:30 pm
Arrives Raiatea 2:20 pm
Departs Raiatea 3:00 pm
Arrives Bora Bora 5:15 pm

Fridays (Vendredi)

Departs Tahiti 1:45 pm
Arrives Huahine 4:45 pm
Departs Huahine 5:15 pm
Arrives Raiatea 7:05 pm
Departs Raiatea 7:45 pm
Arrives Bora Bora 10:00 pm

Returning on

Thursdays (Jeudi)

Departs Bora Bora 7:00 am
Arrives Raiatea 9:15 am
Departs Raiatea 9:45 am
Arrives Huahine 11:35 am
Departs Huahine 12:05 am
Arrives Tahiti 3:05 pm

Sundays (Dimanche)

Departs Bora Bora 1:00 pm
Arrives Raiatea 3:15 pm
Departs Raiatea 3:45 pm
Arrives Huahine 5:35 pm
Departs Huahine 6:05 pm
Arrives Tahiti 9:05 pm

One way to Bora Bora is 10,000 cfp for VIP seats, 8,000 cfp for Comfort seats, 6000 for tourist seats. Two children under 12 are free. If you are over 60 you get a 20% discount.

Tel: 45 32 63
Fax: 45 32 43
Email: resa@raromatai-ferry.pf

New Tahiti Ferry and Cargo Boat Schedules

Finally there are new Ferry and Cargo Boat schedules available for French Polynesia.

To Moorea I've heard that Le Truck only meets the fast ferries.
To the Leeward Islands Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea, and Taha'a
The Maupiti Express Raiatea, Bora Bora, Maupiti
To the Tuamotus
The Arunai to the Marquesas
I've heard that there is also a small cabin for locals in the back of the ship just beside the kitchen. The cost was reported as $30 per person with full board.
To the Australs


Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme

Ferries and Cargo Boats

While the boat schedules are found in a number of places on the Web I thought that it would be handy to list them here:

Aremiti and Moorea Express both operate ferries and catamarans between Papeete and Moorea. Their schedules and costs are listed in the linked pdf.

Schedules for boats to the other Society Islands are found on this pdf.
You'll note the Aremiti Corsaire high speed ferry at the bottom of the page. It began service mid-2005 but I've heard nothing about it in ages. The Aremiti Web site used to have the schedule. Now, all that remains is the note that "Aremiti 4 will begin service between Tahiti and Leeward Islands during July 2005." Update Feb. 4, 2oo7 - the Aremiti Corsaire high speed ferry between Tahiti and Huahine/Raiatea is no longer operating.

Boats to the Tuamotu-Gambier Islands (pdf)

The Aranui to the Marquesas Islands.
I've heard that there is also a small cabin for locals in the back of the ship just beside the kitchen. The cost was reported as $30 per person with full board.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme.