Tuamotus to Society Islands

Hi everyone,

On Tuesday afternoon we departed Rotoava on Fakarava atoll in the Tuamotus for Papeete on Tahiti in the Society Islands.  It was a 250nm passage which took 47 hours in widely varying weather conditions.

Tahiti Ho!

Here are the usual plots...

Track

Arrival Track

Graphs

The transit out of the Fakarava North pass was easy.  We jagged slack tide and sailed out with a Danish Beneteau 50.  We had a nice 15G20 ESE breeze giving us a nice broad reach.  Seas were sloppy until we were well clear of the atoll - the swells wrap around both sides and it's messy where they meet.

Wednesday afternoon

Tuesday night was moonless and also cloudless so we had a wonderful starscape to gaze at.  On Wednesday morning the wind decreased well below the forecasts.  By lunchtime we were down to 3 knots boat speed and the sails were slatting, so on went the engine.  We motored all afternoon during which the light wind came around to ENE - right behind us.  Then it filled in again from the ESE and we resumed sailing.

Wednesday evening

Wednesday night was cloudy with a couple of showers but we were making good progress.  By morning  we could see Tahiti but there were big rain storms moving in.  By late morning we were under storm staysail and trisail-sized main as we approached the island.  The wind peaked at over 30 knots.  And of course it was raining as we entered the port.  We arrived only a couple of hours after the Beneteau.

Entry to the port is tightly controlled, mainly due to its close proximity to the airport.  Boats have to call Port Control on VHF12 to seek permission to enter.  Once inside its necessary to get clearance to cross near each end of the runway.  We anchored at the Airport Anchorage close to several EBBYC and OCC boats.  It wasn't much fun anchoring in 17m depth in a 25 knot wind and rain!  That's the deepest we've ever anchored with our relatively new 20kg anchor and 10mm chain.  We hope we can get it up again!  But it held immediately which was a relief.

Passing historic Point Venus

Anchored with the rainstorm gone

It's great to be in the Society Islands.  This is the last of three parts - Marquesas, Tuamotus and Societies - in our French Polynesian adventure.  Here in Tahiti there are all mod cons, including large supermarkets and chandleries.  Let the shopping begin!

Trust all's well where you are.