Early departure. Anchor off Hibiscus Turtle Rescue Reserve & Restaurant in Haamene Bay Tahaa. Little local boy caught biggest fish of his life off dock. Tres Jolie! Leo - owner of Hibiscus - 100 years old & speaks as much English as we do French (our bad), but very helpful with ice crisis on boat (ask Kim), plus ride back from store (second time for ride from restaurant owner - first time more exciting). Dinner at Hibiscus.

Morning infinity pool swim. Dinghy to motu & walk beach past Pt. Faroone to Pt. Tupitipiti for drift snorkeling near reef. Yellow & black & white stripped reef fish, bright blue "aquarium fish", schools of white fish & Flounders so much the color of the bottom that you could not see them until they moved. Kim saw a Reef Shark, Will a Mahi Mahi. On one of the giant corals were blue lipped oysters, this is the type of oyster they use to make a blac...

Welcome to the islands!

Try this: Awaken to a cool breeze & spectacular sunrise on a brilliant turquoise lagoon, enclosed by palm fringed motus, & coral reef; a lush, verdant island with a 2000 foot volcanic peak in it's center, & the sound of reef surf break in the distance. Coffee, pancakes & bacon on the boat. A swim in the lagoon - water too clear & perfect in temperature to leave, so that's where you start planning your day. Dinghy over to the Sofitel resort f...

Set out to Bora Bora from Tahaa. The sail took about 5 hours with very light winds but 4 - 6 ft swells. The pass from Tahaa lagoon to Pacific & then into Bora lagoon negotiated easily, but with apprehension. Passing hundreds of resort overwater bungalows along the way to our overwater lodging on Banana Man, we anchored easily on the Southeast side of Bora in the clearest turquoise water The setting was so quite with sandy white beaches to the front and Mt. O...