The Voyage of the Swan
The Voyages: Society Islands
After a week in Nuku Hiva, we set sail for Tahiti. We arrived after eight days: two beautiful sailing days and six days of very light winds. But, the skies at night were incredible (“when you see the Southern Cross for the first time, you know just why you came this way”). We anchored near Maeva Beach, southwest of Papeete.
We left Papeete and sailed across the channel to Moorea. What a beautiful place! We anchored on the reef outside of Cook’s Bay in 10 feet of crystal clear water, a snorkeler’s heaven. We could also just sit and watch the sea life swim by under the boat.
After two weeks in Moorea we sailed on May 24th for Huahine and arrived 24 hours later at the village of Fare, a beautiful little Polynesian harbor on the northwest corner of the island. We anchored right off the town in 60 feet of clear water. Raiatea, Tahaa, and Bora Bora were visible in the distance. Then we sailed to the south end of Huahine and spent a week in a beautiful little bay near a small village. A large turtle visited us every morning and evening.
On the evening of June 10th we left Huahine and sailed the 55 miles overnight to Bora Bora. The wind was blowing 25 knots so we actually had to heave to for half the time to keep from getting there before dawn. Bora Bora is a strikingly beautiful island with a huge lagoon of clear water, manta rays and beautiful fish. We anchored in 35 feet of water in the lee of Toopua, a large motu on the west side of the lagoon. We will set sail for Tonga on July 3.
