Touho

From CruisersWiki

Touho, New Caledonia

(Click links for more information)
	20°46.47′S, 165°14.03′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Anchored at Touho

Port de Touho is an excellent stopping point on the east coast of New Caledonia. The nearby Grande Passe De Touho provides good access to vessels contemplating a trip to the Loyalty Islands or returning from such a trip. There is a small marina for those not wanting to anchor out, a sheltered anchorage, a couple of small well stocked stores, a local market and a fuel station. There is good diving on the nearby reefs.

The population of Touho is around 3000.

Cruising the region

Touho is about 65 nm from Ouvea, which makes it a good point for heading out to the Loyalty Islands. Grande Passe de Touho is wide, deep and clear of hidden dangers, making it good point to approach or leave Grande Terre. The main difficulty is that Ouvea lies almost due east of Touho making the trip a windward slog when the Trades prevail.

Traveling north, the next good anchorage is Hienghene, about 16nm away. There is a clear channel, with a couple of obvious charted dangers. Les Charpentiers is a shoal patch about 4 miles from Hienghene. Banc De La Tipindje is a shoal area extending from the mouth of the Tipindje River. It is identified by a red marker.

Heading south, the next sheltered anchorage is 29nm away in Baie De Ugue. The regional centre of Pondimie (pop. 6,000) is passed on this section of coast. This town would be a good stopping point, but there is no anchorage. There does appear to be a small boat harbour 2 nm east of Pondimie, but this is almost certainly not suitable for larger vessels. The track to Baie De Ugue is relatively straight forward provided you stay close to the coast, with most of the dangers in the form of obvious sand cays. Further out from the coast, there are shoals and reefs, but these are well charted.

Charts

Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.

Chart Source

Chart No

Chart No

Weather

Local weather conditions?

Sources for Weather forecasts:
Local forecasts are, of course, in French, but non-French speakers should find them relatively easy to understand. A very useful vocabulary can be found at How to Understand French Weather Forecasts for Sailors.

The main source of weather information for the area around New Caledonia is Meteo France Nouvelle-Calédonie. The marine section provides a 6 day forecast for the whole region, with details for each of the passes through the barrier reef.

Nouméa radio broadcasts the weather report in French on VHF 16, everyday at 6:30, 9:30, 15:15, 18:30.

There is a set of repeater channels allowing receipt of weather info anywhere in the country:

• Nouméa area: VHF 26
  
• Southern portion of the Grande Terre: VHF 28
  
• Isle of Pines and the Southern Lagoon: VHF 25
  
• Grande Terre North West coast: VHF 25
  
• Northern portion of Grande Terre: VHF 24
  
• Ouvea: VHF 23
  
• Lifou: VHF 26
  
• Maré: VHF 87
  

Passages

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Islands

List Islands

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Navigation

Baie de Touho can be approached from the north or the east. Both entrances are through areas of reef which require some caution. Both approaches are well marked.

The northern entrance is relatively wide and marked with a series of red buoys. After leaving the last red buoy, turn east and head towards the single conspicuous Cook's Pine and anchor in about 3 metres.

If approaching from the south, the eastern entrance is reached first. Passe de L'Est is narrow at about 150m, but is well marked with red and green piles. Follow the channel around passed the marina and this will take you into the anchorage as described above. Be cautious of coral patches which lie to the north of the anchorage.

Approach the marina from the west, just north of the anchorage. The entrance is very narrow and there is little space inside. If you wish to make use of the marina, it may be wise to anchor first and check on the available space by dinghy.

Entrance

You must check in at Noumea.

Berthing

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• There is a small marina at Touho. It contains a single pier. There is a landing jetty for dinghies, with water available on shore by this jetty. From the marina, it is a 10 minute walk to town.

Anchorages

• Sheltered anchorage can be found on the eastern side of Baie de Touho between the marina and the town. Look for a single Cook's Pine (Araucaria Columnaris) as you approach. This is a good anchorage in the dominant SEly breeze, but is sheltered behind reefs for nearly all directions. The easiest dinghy landing is at the small jetty within the marina.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

• None

Repairs/Yards

• None

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

Fuel is available at a fuel station in the town.

Water

Water can be obtained from the shore next to the dinghy landing jetty in the marina.

Electricity

None

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

List places of interest, tours, etc.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• There are a couple of small grocery stores in the town. One is connected to the fuel station.
• The local market is Monday and Wednesday, 6:00 - 12:00.

Eateries

Internet/WiFi

Available?

Laundry

No.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

No.

Garbage Disposal

?

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

• There is an airport just outside the town to the south.
• Touho is on the main east coast highway.

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

Links to relevant websites.

References

Publications, Guides, etc.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit. Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)'

• July 2010 - Pedro

This page has an outline in place but needs completing. Please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to suggest further content or alternatively, if you feel confident to edit this page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.

Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Pedro