From Papeete to Mo’ore’a and East Anchorage…and beyond!

To Huehini we sail!

Huahine turned out to be one of my favourite islands so far. We dropped anchor on a beautiful sandbar, with a charming village, “not so short” dinghy ride away. It had everything a cruising sailor could ask for—bike rentals, fantastic restaurants, museums, food markets, public showers, cultural events, and stunning beaches.

Rather than spend the day relaxing at anchor, we decided to rent bikes and explore as much of the island as possible. Every turn seemed to reveal something new, from lush scenery and quiet roads to friendly locals and hidden gems. Huahine has a laid-back charm! On our way around the island, we stumbled upon a snack bar, where women and men were gathered around the table playing ukulele and singing. Stepping into this place was like stepping into someone’s home. The Polynesian culture and its’ warm people are easy to fall in love with. I could have easily stayed here for a week or two!

Of all the islands we’ve visited, Huahine stands out as a place that truly has it all—and then some.

Our next destination in the Leeward Islands was Taha’a. We dropped anchor just off the sandbar near the entrance alongside six other sailboats. With numerous coral bommies scattered across the seabed, I decided to float the anchor chain to reduce the risk of it dragging across and damaging the already fragile coral. In these pristine anchorages, I try to leave as little impact as possible.
The underwater world did not disappoint. While diving and snorkeling, we were treated to countless encounters with blacktip reef sharks, graceful stingrays, playful dolphins, a striking green moray eel, boxfish, and an abundance of colourful reef life. Always, something new to discover.
Today, we’ll pull anchor and continue exploring the maze of motus surrounding the Society Islands, searching for new snorkeling spots and opportunities for drift dives through the crystal-clear channels.
Then, on Monday, we set our course for our final destination in French Polynesia—Bora Bora. My Norwegian crew will be heading home, and I’ll begin preparing the boat for the next small chapter: the offshore passage to Tonga, SOLO…