Moorea & the Society Islands

of

French Polynesia

June 15 2002

We arrived in Moorea and anchored in beautiful, scenic Cook’s Bay. We will stay here for the next 12 days. The diving was excellent just outside the passes. Once again, we saw a lot of sharks.

Cooks Bay, Moorea

June 25, 2002

While at Cook’s Bay, we had a party with all of our fellow Puddle Jumpers at a nearby hotel. It was a fun evening with entertainment from some talented cruisers and locals. That evening, we had another spectacular sunset.

Sunset at Cooks Bay

June 26, 2003

We departed Moorea late that evening for the overnight trip to the Leeward islands of Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora Bora. Heiva, the annual Tahitian festival, was in full swing throughout the islands. During the week we spent at Huahine, we attended the Miss Huahine 2002 Beauty Pageant and enjoyed the entertainment of Heiva. We spent two days in Raiatea and six days at Tahaa before casting off for Bora Bora.

Heiva Festival

July 11, 2003

We headed to Bora Bora on a picture perfect day. The winds were light to begin with. But, they picked up to 16-18 knots at the midway point and we found ourselves hitting over 8 knots on a beautiful beam reach. Bora Bora looks spectacular on approach. We had last sailed here on a bareboat charter seven years ago. So, it was fun to be doing the same thing, but, now on our own boat.

Approaching Bora Bora from Tahaa

July 22, 2002

We spent most of the time here on a mooring at the Bora Bora Yacht Club. Heiva was in full swing here as well. So, we had the opportunity to see some of the local Polynesian dance and drum competition. Towards the end of our stay, we moved to a spot in front of the famous Bloody Mary’s restaurant.

Final Straw in the lagoon at Bora Bora

July 23, 2002

During our stay, Kevin climbed to the top of Otemanu Peak (2380 feet). There is a pink flag waving up there which he pointed out to us when he got back down. In the meantime, we sipped cocktails at the nearby Bora Bora Hotel.

Kevin at Bora Bora

July 24, 2002

Our last night in Bora Bora was spent behind Toopua motu just inside the reef that surrounds Bora Bora. It was a very pleasant spot away from all of the tourist activities that are so prevalent here. We enjoyed 14 days here. But our 90 day visa to stay in French Polynesia has now expired and we needed to push on to the next spot, Rarotonga in the South Cook Islands about 550 miles away.

That night we said au revoir to French Polynesia!

Otemanu Peak on Bora Bora

To continue the adventure to the Cook Islands, click here.

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