Avoiding Tahiti’s Dreaded Bond

As many world cruisers will confirm, French Polynesia is one of the friendliest regions on the planet. So it has always seemed ironic that the immigration department there is the only one we know of that requires every visiting (non-EU) cruiser to post a cash bond equal to the price of a plane ticket home to their own country — roughly $1,500 to the U.S.

The policy is intended to be sort of an insurance policy, of course, so that if you get in trouble or become seriously ill, they won’t be stuck with you. But for budget-minded cruisers it can be a real headache — if not a deal-breaker. A family of four, for example, would have to tie up $6,000 or more in a Polynesian bank, and wouldn’t get it back until the day they left. And then it would be in French Polynesian currency, which can’t be spent anywhere else. In most cases, they would loose money on the exchange as well.

So you can understand why westbound cruisers have been ecstatic for the past two years when we were able to get bond exemptions for all boats that officially registered with the Pacific Puddle Jump Rally on our website.

Unfortunately, the package deal offered last year through a Tahitian yacht agency proved to be more trouble that it was worth to them. For $110 USD boats got bond exemptions, clearance in and out, and duty-free fuel. This year’s deal will be a bit more expensive, but still a good bargain — and, with any luck, will include duty-free fuel in the Marquesas as well as Tahiti.

Full details should be available on the website by February 1. But we wanted to get the word out today that a deal will, in fact, be offered, because dozens of would-be Jumpers have been chomping at the bit to know.

Registered Puddle Jumpers are under no obligation to participate in this program. We are arranging it only as a convenience to them, and Latitude 38 Magazine is in no way involved in the financial transactions.

So if you’re heading west this season, check the website for updates soon. There is no charge to register for the Rally.