T ahiti 2 0 1 5 - Spinnaker Sailing

Sailing Vacation
Itinerary
T a h i t i
2 0 1 5
451 Seaport Court • Redwood City, CA 94063 • (650) 363-1390
www.spinnakersailing.com
French Polynesia Bareboat Flotilla
April 26 - May 8, 2015
TAHITI, RAIATEA, TAHAA, HUAHINE, BORA BORA
Here at last is paradise on earth. Visitors who fly into the
islands and stay at hotels can experience only a part of the
magic of these islands. It is only in sailing between blue
ocean and turquoise lagoons in the shadow of majestic volcanic peaks, as the ancient Polynesians did in their outrigger
canoes, that one realizes the full majesty of Tahiti.
Our cruising area encompasses the Leeward Islands of Tahiti:
Raiatea, Tahaa, Huahine and Bora Bora. There is more open
water sailing here than most of our other cruises. Steady trade
winds provide fast reaches of about 5 hours between
the islands.
The four major islands have ancient volcanic centers which
rise from lovely calm lagoons ringed by outlying reefs.
Passes in the reefs allow safe access in and out of the smooth
sailing lagoons to blue water sailing in the tradewinds.
Good anchorages are abundant among the central islands as
well as on the motus, lushly vegetated islets that have evolved
on the encircling barrier reefs. These coral atolls have sandy
beaches and offer a stunning view back toward those volcanic
ranges.
Everyone should plan to arrive in
Raiatea by mid afternoon, on Sunday
April 26th. International Carrriers fly
from California (LAX) to Papeete, Tahiti
Air Tahiti, (a local carrier) flies between
Tahiti and Raiatea. Those with more
time (and money) can stay in a Hotel on
either island prior to the charter.
Day 1 - (April 26) - Chart briefing is
scheduled for 4:00 pm After that we
start checking out the boats with equipment familiarization and do our inventories, etc. We’ll be staying on board the
boats that night in the marina.
Day 2 - Finish up checking out the boats
and set sail for Tahaa. This is a short
and easy sail since Tahaa is inside the
same barrier reef with Raiatea..
Day 3 - Leave early for a 5 hour reach
to spectacular Bora Bora. Head for the
East Lagoon to anchor off Motu Tupe.
Day 4 - Take a morning snorkel with
rays, sharks and other fish at the Lagoonarium on Motu Tupe. Head back around
to moor at Bloody Mary’s on Povai Bay
or Bora Bora Yacht Club.
Day 5 - Visit the village, Vaitape.
There’s a grocery store and other shopping there. Have dinner at Bloody
Mary’s, the actual establishment modeled in “South Pacific”.
Day 6 - Sail back to Tahaa for the night.
There’s a black pearl farm and a vanilla
plantation.
Day 7 - Back to The Moorings to refill
water, ice, fuel and refresh provisions.
Continue on to Faaroa Bay for the night.
According to the ancient Polynesians,
this is where mankind was first put on
earth. It’s certainly beautiful enough.
south pacific
Day 8 - Depart for Huanine
and anchor near the village,
Fare. Exlore.
Day 9 - Hang around Huahine.
Go diving or a day tour on the
island. Dinner ashore.
The Boats
Two types of boats are reserved for this cruise. They are Moorings
4600 catamarans (46ft) with 4 double cabins, each with it’s own private
head and shower and Sunsail 44i monohulls (44 ft) with 4 double cabins and two heads with showers.
Day 10 - Head down to Bay
d’Avea for the night. Great
Snorkeling
Day 11 - Sail back to Faaroa
Bay on Raiatea. Explore the
Aoppamao by dinghy. It’s the
only navigable river in French
Polynesia.
Day 12 - Return Boats to base
by 10:00 a.m. There is a flight
back to Tahiti in the afternoon
and flights from Tahiti to
California late in the evening.
Spend a few hours in Tahiti
while waiting for your connection or stay an extra night
on Tahiti and fly home the
next night. Flights from Tahiti
to LAX arrive mid morning.
(Those flying straight home
arrive May 8.) Consult with
Bob Diamond regarding
places to stay for extra nights
in Raiatea and or Tahiti.
Reservation and
Payment
Information
Cost per Cabin
$5200 on a Morrings 4600
$2800 on a Sunsail 44i monohull
$100 non refundable deposit
1/3 due October 31, 2014
1/3 due January 31, 2015
Balance due March 20th, 2015
Dining
Each crew will get together by March 26th to custom order provisions and supplies online with the charter company. Cost will be split
among the crew.
Bareboat Charter Certification
Certification is available to Basic Coastal Cruising graduates who have
done at least 3 charters as skipper on a BCC boat such as a Merit 25
and have passed the Docking Endorsement class. The cost is $400.00
non member, $300.00 member . Cruising Catamaran is also available
for those sailing on the Moorings 4600 catamaran.
Study materials are provided and Bob Diamond will lead a study session for Bareboat students in time for students to get the written exam
completed before the cruise.
Students who want to obtain Bareboat Charter Certification must charter at the Basic Coastal Cruising
level at least three times before the cruise.
Activities in Tahiti
There’s plenty to do and see on the islands of Tahiti. Snorkeling is
always a popular activity on our bareboat cruises. The coral reefs are
spectacular as they rise from 80 feet or more to just a few feet deep.
SCUBA tours and lessons are also available. There are van tours and
rentals of cars and jeeps ashore where ancient Polynesian temples and
other structures can be seen.