Destinations / South Pacific / French Polynesia / Papeete / Jobs
For crew
Finding superyacht roles in Papeete
How to declare the yacht, clear in and check your papers for yacht work in Papeete.
Picture made with AI. It shows the place but is not a photograph.
Arriving
What to do in your first week
Declare the yacht online
French Polynesia asks every yacht to file a single online yacht declaration for the border police and customs, and to register on the ESCALES service of the maritime affairs office. A maritime health declaration goes to the health department at least 48 hours before arrival.
Entry and exitOnline yacht declaration (déclaration unique plaisance)
ESCALES office+689 40 54 45 30, 07:30 to 13:00 without appointment
Health declarationveille.sanitaire.arass@administration.gov.pf
Leaving
Clearance before you sail
Online declarationAdd your final departure date to a foreign port in the online declaration. Customs says this is needed for the exit clearance issued by the Port Autonome de Papeete
FuelOn final departure, the exit clearance stamped by the Port Autonome de Papeete gives a full customs exemption on diesel taken on board
From another islandLeaving for abroad from an island other than Tahiti, clear out with the gendarmerie of the last island and complete the online declaration
Marina TainaMarina Taina asks for a departure declaration at least 48 hours before you sail
Customs page on yacht entry and exit, updated August 2026. Check the rules for your passport.
Pay
Crew pay by yacht size
| Role | 45 to 50 m | 70 m and over |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | EUR 9,000 to 12,000 | EUR 15,000+ |
| First Officer | EUR 4,500 to 6,000 | EUR 7,000+ |
| Chief Engineer | EUR 7,000 to 9,500 | EUR 8,500+ |
| Chef | EUR 5,500 to 6,500 | EUR 8,000+ |
| Bosun / 2nd Mate | EUR 3,200 to 4,000 | EUR 5,000+ |
| Chief Stew / Purser | EUR 2,800 to 4,000 | EUR 3,000+ |
| Deckhand | EUR 2,800 to 3,500 | EUR 3,000+ |
| Stew | EUR 2,200 to 2,500 | EUR 2,200 to 2,500 |
UKSA salary guide 2025, in EUR. The guide does not state the pay period and is not specific to Papeete.
Sources. Checked 8 November 2026.
- Port Autonome de Papeete: Marina de Papeete
- Port Autonome de Papeete: Marina Taina
- Port Autonome de Papeete: Yachting
- Direction polynésienne des affaires maritimes: arriving by sea
- Douane de Polynésie française: yacht entry and exit
- Marina Taina: Présentation
- Marina Taina: Capitainerie
- Marina Taina: Check-in
- WMO climate normals 1991 to 2020: Faa'a 91938
- Météo-France Polynésie: Qu'est-ce qu'un cyclone
- UKSA superyacht salary guide
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