Tahaa

Aug 7, 2014  Raiatea to Tahaa

The reef here encompasses both the island of Raiatea and that of Tahaa   It is possible to sail completely around both islands if you are really careful, watch the markers carefully and keep a close eye on the Navionics charts.  I must say, these charts have been wonderful, worth every enny and all the trouble to download them.  They are right on.   We can zoom in or zoom out to see detail or an overview.  they figure your course and tell you when you will get there based on current speed.  Of course they cannot figure in the wind direction and tell you when to tack.  The captain needs to do something.  Although I expect that they will do that soon on boats with all the latest gizmos. 

We motor  between the two islands and find an anchorage acres from the “coral gardens” on Tahaa.  Everyone on the net has been talking about the fabulous drift dives here.  Walk to the other side of the pass, put on snorlke and mask, no need for flippers and just drive along back to where you left the dingy.  It is another day os wind and scattered clouds when we get there so the dive is not as spectacular as it could have been but still lovely.  Fish of all colors and shapes swim right around us as we drift along, completely unafraid of people.  Unfortunately much of the coral is grey and lifeless, covered with dust.

After our five we weigh anchor and move on around to another deep bay on the other side of Tahaa.  Again we are the only boat here.  It is completely quiet and absolutely calm overnight.