Bourayne Bay

A great anchorage..Except for the weather today as it is now showering on our BBQ!

EMU

Sunrise over Huahine

After a Rally night going downwind We were all Happy to see Huahine in the dawn light.

We motored in to Bourayne Bay at 1000 and dropped anchor.

Off To Huahine

We set off for Huanine at O Dark 30.. calm for the 1st hour then after We got out from the lee of Moorea that nasty old 3m swell came in and worse a cross sea from the ENE at 1.5m  this made for a very Rolly and uncomfortable trip over to Huahine. Bubbles just followed along Quietly on her tow rope behind us..

Off We Go!

The Day Dawned in Papeete nice and bright but cool. the Cold front had moved on luckily and the rain with it!! our New Guests arrived at the airport on time and we got back to the boat for breakfast. Pilot boarded at the dock and we set off for Opunohu Bay a mere 22nm away. The weather was stiff with a 35kt wind with gusts in to the 40's and the swell and sea state about 3.5-4m However, it was on the beam so with the staysail out it was quick. We got in to Anchor at Opunohu and surprisingly there was still a strong Katabatic wind in the 30's . All the way down the end of the bay We went and dropped 2 anchors. Lunch, Some swimming and Sea bobbing  along with a very muddy hike to the ridge overlooking  The Bay. the views however were stunning.

And So to Bora Bora

We had quite a Rolly trip over to Bora Bora but the entrance pass was kind and entrance to the lagoon was made Against a 6 knot outgoing tide..So motoring at 14kts we were doing 8kts over the bottom.. We anchored in the SE corner under the mountain.  Over the next 24 hours we Shopped, Dived toured the island by boat Swam with Manta rays and Ate. We went to a terrific Villa for dinner . Amazing views, with a special private Polynesian dance and Fire dance show. Very special way to spend the last evening with our friends. Unfortunately all good things come to an end and we bid our new friends goodbye early this morning at the airport. However we have new friends coming to visit us next week and We can not wait to show them our old haunts and some new ones we have found. It is sure to be a lot of fun..

Rosehearty entering the Blue room..!

This was Fun!!! not ..We had to push out the pass at tasha into a southerly swell of around 3-4m and all with an outgoing current

 It did not last long but it was rough for a while. Glad to see the bottom was clean..

The good news for us was the pass into Bora Bora was without the large swell component. however the current was running out at 6 knots..and with 14 its of boat speed we went through at a mere 8 knots..

Photo by Pizza "Drone" Box..(should have been in the control room!)

Waves Seem OK to me...

The waves on the inside of the pass never look to bad. but the current was strong outbound and more was to follow on the way out of Tahaa bound for Bora Bora

Rainbow x 2 and Rosehearty x 1

And then the Rain.!

We were having a Mexican fiesta including the piñata, margaritas, an inflatable Horse etc. in the Rain...No stopping some folk having fun..

Tahaa

Beautiful Plumage Govnor! Home of the norwegian Blue if I am not mistaken.

Raiatea and Tahaa

We had a great time in Raiatea and Tahaa We hiked the hike and Dove the dive, We spent some time at the Le Tahaa at the Snorkeling garden and in the Massage room after, lots of sea bobbing and Paddleboarding..  Nice shack on the reef...!

Inside the Reef

Bubbles the tender was outside the reef as we were coming out to sail and Jonathan got this cool photo.. We left the reef behind and with a nice 17-18 its of wind went for a 4 hour sail to Raiatea

In through the Pass and South to an anchorage.. The afternoon was snorkeling on the reef, and eating a nice dinner...

photo by Jonathan Kline

Bourayne Bay Huahine

This place is a Gem, among Gems.. We had all toys out and the guests that did not dive got there first intro in diving and loved it. paddle boarding and Sea bobbing as well as a jet ski trip..And this before lunch..Then a 3 hour BBQ on the beach with the feet in the water as the tables were sent in .5m.. Some local music and some local skill/games and back to the boat for a nap before....Dinner!

Huahine Arrival

We had a great nights crossing though no sailing but the seas were smooth and everyone had a good rest. 0700 found us off the reef entrance to Fare on the West coast. We popped in to anchor before a dive group left for a wall dive in the pass.

Photo by Doctor Xavier Hignard from his house above the Entrance..Thank you!

Through the side Door

We sailed early this morning after the Pilot Boarding off to Moorea and Opunuhu Bay again. not much wind so no sailing, again.. However paddle boarding swimming ,Sea Bobs and Stingray explorations were on hand. tonight the anchor comes up and Rosehearty and the Trusty Ze bubbles head out to Huahine.. A full Moon will accompany us. Magic...

Tapas a La Carr

by Señorita Carr e' Señor Haraypetyan

Photo by Señorita Carr.

Guest Change over day...

Change over Day
And back to Papeete. 8 px in at 0500 and 3 px out at 2345. A Quick reprovision, clean, change 6 cabins and swim with Dolphins, go surfing as well as a nice lunch and dinner with a show. Full Tahitian Moon tonight

Moorea Hiking

After the obligatory morning Shark dive. A team of intrepid guests and crew set off up the mountain. After a pretty nice hike of 1.5 hours they arrived to a view on the South and the North coats of Moorea. A quicker return brought them back in time for lunch..Stingray snorkeling and Tubing finished out the afternoon before an evening of Tapas on the Foredeck..Good Day..

Photo by Head Down Colville

Opunohu Bay Moorea

We sailed in to Opunohu dropped Ze Bubbles off and anchored up by the reef at the entrance. From the Wildness of the Tuamotus to the dramatic hills of Moorea. What a change for the senses.  Still there was time for a drift Snorkel in the pass before a visit to the Intercontinental for a very expensive drink!  Dinner at the Steak house across the road. Excellent Fish! then back to the boat for an early Bed..

Sailing down to Moorea

We said a goodbye to wonderful Fakarava and said off to Moorea. It was a nice night for a sail.

The pass out of Fakarava was running out but it is not as intense as Rangiroa but you do need to pay attention and it was dark... With Ze Bubbles astern on her tow line and some sail set we headed off to the SW at 12 knots. Not too rolly but you knew we were at sea after days of flat water in the motu's. Sunrise brought an empty sea but fair winds and weather. About Lunch time we spotted Tahiti and soon after we saw Moorea. Land Ho!