I am sailing in French Polynesia and New Caledonia

French Polynesia and New Caledonia offer exceptionally diverse tropical and ocean sailing conditions, with archipelagos, volcanic islands, atolls, coral reefs, passes and lagoons. Nautical charts are essential for planning inter-island passages, approaching atolls, transiting lagoon passes and navigating inside lagoons, where bathymetry, reefs and shoals require accurate and detailed charting. Trade winds, ocean swell, currents and tropical weather phenomena also require careful preparation, particularly depending on the season and the sailing area.

From Tahiti to the Tuamotu Islands, from the Leeward Islands to the Marquesas, the Austral Islands and the Gambier Islands, and as far as New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, sailing programmes can vary considerably.

The navigator may encounter:

• coral reefs;

• narrow lagoon passes;

• atolls;

• shoals;

• coral heads;

• islets and motu;

• sometimes strong currents in passes;

• ocean swell;

• trade winds and tropical winds;

• tropical weather systems;

• long distances between archipelagos;

• particularly isolated maritime areas.

The “I am sailing in French Polynesia and New Caledonia” category from Librairie Maritime Nautic Way brings together paper and digital nautical charts for preparing different sailing programmes in the South Pacific.

What is a nautical chart used for in French Polynesia and New Caledonia?

A nautical chart brings together the hydrographic information required to prepare and conduct a voyage.

In these South Pacific regions, it can be used to identify:

• soundings and depth contours;

• coral reefs;

• lagoon passes;

• shoals;

• coral heads;

• reef drop-offs;

• rocks;

• islets;

• channels;

• navigation marks and buoys;

• restricted or regulated areas;

• underwater dangers;

• anchorages and harbour approaches.

The scale of the chart is particularly important. A general or ocean chart is suitable for preparing a long passage between archipelagos, while a coastal or detailed chart is required when approaching an island, entering a lagoon, crossing a pass or navigating near reefs.

For example, a passage between Tahiti and the Tuamotu Islands requires a different level of chart coverage from navigation inside the lagoon of Rangiroa or Fakarava. Similarly, a passage between Nouméa and the Isle of Pines requires different charting from an approach to a specific harbour or pass.

Sailing around Tahiti and the Society Islands

Tahiti is one of the principal starting points for sailing in French Polynesia. The island is surrounded by numerous areas requiring detailed charting, particularly around the southern and western coasts.

Papeete is the principal urban and maritime centre. Other areas include Taiarapu, Taravao, Havae and the approaches to the southern peninsula.

The island of Moorea, immediately to the west of Tahiti, is another major sailing destination. Cook Bay and Opunohu Bay are particularly well known, while the surrounding reefs and passes require careful navigation.

Charts covering Tahiti and Moorea are useful for coastal navigation, harbour approaches, anchoring and the preparation of passages between the islands.

The Leeward Islands

The Leeward Islands include some of the best-known sailing destinations in French Polynesia:

• Raiatea;

• Taha'a;

• Huahine;

• Bora Bora.

These islands combine volcanic relief, fringing reefs, barrier reefs and lagoons. Navigation frequently takes place between the outer reef and the islands, through passes and within relatively confined lagoon areas.

Raiatea and Taha'a offer numerous anchorages and passages between reef systems. Bora Bora is particularly characterised by its extensive lagoon, barrier reef and clearly defined passages through the reef.

Detailed nautical charts are particularly useful in these areas because the navigator must distinguish between navigable channels, coral heads, shallow areas and reef zones.

Sailing in the Tuamotu Archipelago

The Tuamotu Islands present very different navigational conditions from the volcanic islands of the Society group.

Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehau, Ahe and Apataki are large coral atolls surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. The land itself may be low and difficult to distinguish from a distance, while the lagoon can be separated from the open ocean by a reef system with one or more passes.

Pass navigation is one of the key subjects when preparing a voyage in the Tuamotu.

Depending on the tide and local conditions, currents in the passes can become significant. The navigator therefore needs appropriate charting, tidal information, current information and reliable navigation instructions.

Inside an atoll, the chart must allow the navigator to identify:

• the entrance pass;

• the reef line;

• lagoon channels;

• coral heads;

• shallow areas;

• anchorage areas;

• local navigation marks.

The Tuamotu therefore require particularly careful preparation, especially when planning an itinerary involving several atolls.

The Marquesas Islands

The Marquesas Islands are located considerably farther east and north of the Society Islands. Their geographical isolation makes them an important destination for ocean sailors crossing the South Pacific.

The main islands include:

• Hiva Oa;

• Tahuata;

• Ua Huka;

• Nuku Hiva;

• Ua Pou;

• Fatu Hiva.

Unlike the Tuamotu, the Marquesas are volcanic and mountainous, with steep coastlines and fewer protected lagoon environments.

Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa are major destinations for yachts crossing the Pacific. Fatu Hiva is also a well-known stopover for long-distance sailors.

The charts used for the Marquesas must provide sufficient coverage for ocean passages as well as coastal approaches and anchorages.

The Austral Islands and Gambier Islands

The Austral Islands are located farther south and include Tubuai, Rurutu, Raivavae and Rimatara.

These islands are more isolated and are subject to different weather and sea conditions from the Society Islands. Their geographical position should therefore be considered when planning a South Pacific itinerary.

The Gambier Islands, centred around Mangareva, form another distinct sailing area. Their remote location means that the navigator must carefully prepare both the ocean passage and the approach to the islands.

Sailing in New Caledonia

New Caledonia offers a major sailing environment in the southwest Pacific, with a large lagoon, barrier reef, numerous passes and extensive coastal areas.

Nouméa is the principal maritime centre and an important starting point for sailing programmes around the main island.

The approaches to Nouméa include areas such as the Boulari and Dumbéa passes. Further north and south, the coast includes Saint-Vincent Bay, Bourail and numerous reef and lagoon areas.

The Great Southern Lagoon is another major sailing area. Navigation there requires suitable chart coverage because of the combination of reefs, islands, shoals, passes and extensive distances.

The Shom provides nautical charts covering New Caledonia at different scales, including coastal and more general coverage. Nautical publications such as the “Instructions nautiques” also provide complementary information for navigation around the territory.

The Isle of Pines

The Isle of Pines is located southeast of New Caledonia and is one of the major destinations for cruising yachts.

Kuto Bay, Kanuméra Bay and Gadji Bay are among the areas of interest for navigators.

The combination of coral reefs, shallow areas, islands and lagoon environments makes detailed charting particularly useful when approaching the island and selecting an anchorage.

A voyage between Nouméa and the Isle of Pines also requires suitable chart coverage for the passage itself, in addition to detailed charts for the destination.

The Loyalty Islands

The Loyalty Islands include Lifou, Maré, Ouvéa and Tiga.

These islands have extensive reef systems and coastal areas with specific navigational characteristics. Ouvéa, for example, is particularly associated with a long, narrow island structure and a large lagoon environment.

Lifou and Maré also require appropriate coastal charting for approaches, anchorages and passages along the islands.

The Loyalty Islands are relatively isolated from mainland New Caledonia, so passage planning should include appropriate ocean and coastal-scale charts.

Which nautical chart publishers cover French Polynesia and New Caledonia?

Several hydrographic offices and chart publishers provide coverage of the South Pacific.

The main sources include:

• Shom – Service hydrographique et océanographique de la Marine;

• Admiralty – United Kingdom Hydrographic Office;

• national hydrographic services;

• specialised recreational chart publishers;

• electronic chart providers using official hydrographic data.

Shom provides extensive coverage of French Polynesia and New Caledonia in both paper and electronic formats. Admiralty also provides international coverage for many areas of the South Pacific.

The choice of publisher depends on the navigation programme, the required scale, the navigation system being used and the type of information required.

Choosing the right chart scale

The scale should correspond to the type of navigation being undertaken.

Ocean charts are designed for long-distance passages between archipelagos and across large areas of the Pacific.

Offshore charts provide more detailed coverage for passages approaching an island or archipelago.

Coastal charts are appropriate for navigation around islands and along coastlines.

Detailed charts are particularly important for harbour approaches, lagoon navigation, reef areas, passes and anchorages.

In practice, a South Pacific sailing programme often requires several scales rather than a single chart.

For example, a yacht travelling from Tahiti to the Tuamotu may need an ocean chart for the passage, followed by a more detailed chart for the approach to an atoll and an even more detailed chart for the lagoon and pass.

Paper and electronic nautical charts

Paper charts remain useful for passage planning, route overview and navigation redundancy. They provide a broad visual representation of the geographical environment and allow the navigator to work away from the electronic navigation system.

Electronic nautical charts are particularly useful for navigation systems and chartplotters. Official vector charts can contain detailed hydrographic information describing objects such as navigation marks, wrecks, cables, regulated areas and soundings.

The two formats can complement each other. For long-distance sailing in the South Pacific, maintaining an independent paper-chart overview alongside electronic navigation can provide useful redundancy.

Main ports and sailing areas

Among the main ports, islands and sailing areas covered by nautical charts for French Polynesia and New Caledonia are:

• Papeete;

• Tahiti;

• Moorea;

• Raiatea;

• Taha'a;

• Huahine;

• Bora Bora;

• Rangiroa;

• Fakarava;

• Tikehau;

• Nuku Hiva;

• Hiva Oa;

• Fatu Hiva;

• Mangareva;

• Tubuai;

• Rurutu;

• Nouméa;

• Saint-Vincent Bay;

• Bourail;

• the Great Southern Lagoon;

• the Isle of Pines;

• Lifou;

• Maré;

• Ouvéa;

• Tiga.

These areas cover very different sailing environments, from major ports and coastal waters to isolated ocean passages and remote atolls.

Preparing a sailing trip in the South Pacific

Preparing a voyage in French Polynesia or New Caledonia involves more than simply selecting a nautical chart.

The navigator should also consider:

• the planned route;

• the distance between stopovers;

• prevailing trade winds;

• seasonal weather conditions;

• ocean swell;

• tidal variations;

• currents in lagoon passes;

• reef and shoal areas;

• harbour approaches;

• available anchorages;

• navigation warnings and notices;

• the age and update status of the nautical documentation.

The further the sailing area is from major centres, the more important it becomes to prepare the route before departure and to have suitable documentation available on board.

Conclusion

Sailing in French Polynesia and New Caledonia involves a remarkable variety of navigational environments. From Tahiti and Moorea to the Leeward Islands, the Tuamotu, Marquesas, Austral and Gambier Islands, and from Nouméa to the Isle of Pines and the Loyalty Islands, each sailing area presents different hydrographic and geographical characteristics.

A suitable nautical chart should therefore be selected according to the intended route and the required level of detail. Ocean charts are useful for long passages, while coastal and detailed charts are essential when approaching islands, navigating lagoons, crossing passes, sailing near reefs or entering harbours.

For South Pacific sailing, paper and electronic nautical charts can be combined with sailing directions, pilot books, light lists, tide and current information and other nautical publications to build a comprehensive navigation documentation set.

FAQ – Sailing in French Polynesia and New Caledonia

Which nautical charts are used for French Polynesia?

Charts from Shom and Admiralty provide coverage of French Polynesia, including Tahiti, Moorea, the Leeward Islands, the Tuamotu, the Marquesas, the Austral Islands and the Gambier Islands.

Which nautical charts cover New Caledonia?

Shom provides extensive paper and electronic chart coverage of New Caledonia, including Nouméa, the Great Southern Lagoon, the Isle of Pines and the Loyalty Islands. Admiralty also provides international coverage.

Which chart should I use to navigate a Tuamotu atoll?

A detailed chart covering the specific atoll is appropriate for approaching the reef, identifying the pass, navigating inside the lagoon and locating shallow areas, reefs and other dangers.

Are nautical charts necessary for sailing between the islands of French Polynesia?

Yes. The distances between archipelagos can be substantial, and the voyage may involve ocean navigation followed by detailed coastal or lagoon navigation.

What is the difference between an ocean chart and a coastal chart?

An ocean chart covers a much larger geographical area and is primarily intended for long-distance passage planning. A coastal chart covers a smaller area at a larger scale and provides more detail for navigation close to land.

Are electronic charts available for French Polynesia and New Caledonia?

Yes. Electronic chart coverage exists for these regions, including official hydrographic data in digital formats. The appropriate format depends on the navigation system and chartplotter being used.

Are paper charts still useful in the South Pacific?

Yes. Paper charts remain useful for passage planning, overall geographical awareness and as an independent navigation backup.

What nautical publications complement charts in French Polynesia and New Caledonia?

Sailing directions, pilot books, light lists, tidal and current information, navigation warnings and meteorological information provide additional information that cannot be fully represented on a nautical chart.