ROUTE
*On day 3, if the weather does not allow for getting through the pass at Maupiti, you can stay an extra day at Bora Bora and navigate around to the other side of the Lagoonarium/Aquarium. Or skip it and be a day ahead, and have an extra day at Huahine.
Useful Sources
- https://www.svsoggypaws.com/files/Societies%20Compendium.pdf
- https://www.navily.com/carte
- https://en.pf.yellowflagguides.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJfD1JleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHmk1cSAr0PfFkIMUU3JoXGLRdAE0tQA8FvDNNwd_jTSgSofkO2keHuwCPgvi_aem_r6W-6vD2vUNMqZlQItAOOg
- https://www.facebook.com/TwoDriftersTravel/videos/611343276428358
Day 1. Uturoa to Tahaa (West)
10 nm
Fly into Uturoa (North Raiatea Island). Sail out at 14.00. Starting with a short jump to Tahaa only 10 nm to arrive in good light and enjoy a relaxing first day.
Things to do
- Snorkel at the Coral Garden
- Tour the Pearl Farm
⚓︎ Coral Garden (NE of small island Motu Tautau)
This is a highly recommended anchorage Northeast of the tiny Private Motu Tautau Island and Spa (see map). To the west of the anchorage, you will find a coral garden where you can snorkel with the current. Take your snorkeling gear to shore, walk out to the reef, and let the current take you through the coral garden into the bay. It is very beautiful!
*It is unclear whether you are allowed to anchor here or not; it seems like the resort is protective of the water nearby, so do not go right in front of the resort – people have been told to move. Try to anchor a bit to the north of the resort along the shallows (TAKE CARE OF THE CORAL – Find a sandy patch and float your chain). If you are asked to leave, you can head across to the bay across on the main island, – take a mooring at the pearl farm, and then dinghy over to the coral garden.
⚓︎ Pearl Farm Moorings (across from Coral Garden on the main island)
Day 2. Tahaa to Bora Bora (West)
25 nm
At Bora Bora all anchoring is forbidden. There is a main mooring field on the west side, not far from the entrance through the reef, see below, and then there is another one, which is supposedly really nice, on the southeastern side, but to reach this you have to go all the way through the reef for about 6nm (narrow passages and shallow water (about 2m)) because of your limited time, I would not spend time doing this, but rather go overland to see the sight if you want to. In all honestly, Bora Bora is not the island sailors rave most about, and due to the no anchoring crowds, and expensive fees, it can be a bit of a hassle.
Things to do
- Dive and Snorkeling sites around Bora Bora
- Bora Bora Yacht Club
- Mt Pahia Sumit hike (3.7 miles) round trip – elevation 2,169 from sea level – 3-4 hours – hard – starts in Vaitape village.
⚓︎ Fare Piti (in front of the Yacht Club), Bora Bora
This is the easiest to get to the anchorage (mooring only) at Bora Bora and a great launching spot for other islands. This is where the yacht club is. The most recent prices I could get of the moorings here were 3000 francs in August 2024.
⚓︎ SE Bora Bora (south end of Pity Aau)
If you have the time, or if the weather does not allow for Maupiti, it could be worth it to go around to the anchorage on the southeast side. Just follow the channel markers – there is 2,5 m of water in the narrows, so do not worry, although it looks impossible on the chart.
Down south of the long outer island Pity Aau (marked with a snorkel on the map) it is full of eagle rays.
You can also take the tender over to the area in front of the resorts to the west of the anchorage, where you will find the most wonderful coral garden.
Day 3. Bora Bora to Maupiti
30 nm
Now to Maupiti, the island the sailors rave about. Be aware that the entrance through the southern shallow passage is weather-dependent; do not attempt with a swell of more than 2 meters.
Check out this youtube video on how to pass: https://www.facebook.com/TwoDriftersTravel/videos/611343276428358
Things to do
- Swim with Manta Rays at the cleaning station (before noon)
- Hike Mount Teurafaatiu (1.7 miles) – aprox. 1.5-2 hours – best in the morning.
- Tarona Snack Bar
- Relax at Tereia Beach
⚓︎ Maupiti South (along the reef)
You can anchor here off the reef. Nearby, you will find a Manta Ray cleaning station. The Manta Rays come in there every day before noon. You will swim 1- 2 meters from them. Stay here for the night or move to the anchorage near the town on the mainland (see anchorage below).
⚓︎ Maupiti East (in front of the town)
Anchor in 4 m in the sand, spectacular views, dingy dock, two stores, and some bars to eat. The climb to the top gives a 360-degree view of the island and is apparently really worth it!!
Day 4. Maupiti to Bora Bora
30 nm (back to Bora Bora)
When you have had enough of Maupiti you can head back to Bora Bora, or if you are up for a longer stint and don’t feel like going back to the same spot, you can head to Tahaa East side (see day 5), giving you a whole extra day to spend somewhere you like.
But to keep the distances more even, let’s say you go back to Bora Bora for a meal at the yacht club or an afternoon of exploring the island. Friends of mine really liked the hike up the mountain, though they did say it was a challenge.
⚓︎ See anchorages from day 2
Day 5. Bora Bora to Tahaa (East)
30 nm
Since you have already been to the west side of Tahaa, why not check out the east side. There are a few anchorages along the reef in shallow water with sand bottom. Here is a good chance of seeing rays and reef sharks. And it places you in a really good position for launching off towards Huahine the next day.
⚓︎ Mahaea, East Tahaa
There are a few options on the east side of Tahaa. To me, it sounds like the nicest ones are along the inside of the outer reef in shallow sand, with great snorkeling in clear water.
⚓︎ Haamene Bay, East Tahaa
You could also try to tuck into Haamene Bay, but the mooring/anchoring situation seems unclear, with no updates available. I would check it out on arrival.
Day 6. Tahaa to Huahine
30-34 nm
There are 2 great anchorages on the west-south side. Both are accessed through the NW passage through the reef, and you will pass one to get to the other (they are only a few miles apart), so you can always choose when you get there.
⚓︎ Moorings at Plage Hana Iti (middle west Huahine)
Grab a mooring. Go ashore and go for a walk to the southeastern end of Motu Vaiorea – a good snorkeling spot.
⚓︎ Moorings at Baie d’Avea Nord (south Huahine)
It is said to be the most beautiful bay on the island. I have heard this directly from sailors, and the comments on Navily surely confirm it. You have to grab a mooring here.
Day 7. Tahaa to Raiatea
27 nm
This is if you want to explore the UNESCO-listed ancient archeological site Marae Taputapuatea. The site features a number of marae and other stone structures and was once considered the central temple and religious center of Eastern Polynesia.
⚓︎ Moorings at Fare Orivi Lodge
According to Navily 2024 there are 3 moorings here in front of the Fare Orivi Lodge for grabs. This is a good spot to leave the boat and take the tender to the UNESCO site Marae Taputapuatea.
If all the moorings are taken, people also anchor out of the bay along the shallows of the outer reef (see navily, though marked with “no anchoring”).
Day 8. Return
10 nm
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