T ahiti 2 0 11 - Spinnaker Sailing

Sailing Vacation
Itinerary
T a h i t i
2 0 11
451 Seaport Court • Redwood City, CA 94063 • (650) 363-1390
www.spinnakersailing.com
French Polynesia Bareboat Flotilla
September 7 - 21, 2011
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.
Day 1 (Wednesday) - After a commuter
flight to LA we’ll leave for Papeete on
Air Tahiti Nui at 11: 45 p.m. Arrival in
Papeete is 5:00 a.m. after which we’ll
connect to Raiatea around 8:00 a.m.
Day 2 - Stay at the Pearl Beach Hawaiki
Nui in Raiatea. Relax from traveling or
tour the ancient Polynesian temples and
see other sights on Raiatea.
Day 3 - Morning briefings then lunch at
the Moorings base. It’s an easy afternoon sail to Tahaa inside the lagoon.
Dinner show and overnight mooring at
Tahaa.
Day 4 - Leave early for the 5 hour reach
for spectacular Bora Bora. Head for the
East Lagoon to anchor off Motu Tupe.
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.
Day 5 - 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.
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.
Day 6 - 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 7 - Sail back to Tahaa for the night.
There’s a black pearl farm and a vanilla
plantation.
Day 8 - 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.
continued on back
south pacific
Day 9 - Depart for Huanine
and anchor near the village,
Fare. Exlore.
The Boats
The boats are the Moorings 51.5’s built by Beneteau. These 51 foot
yachts each have 5 separate cabins and 5 heads and plenty of space
in the main saloon. Although designed for more, we are limiting the
number of people for the most comfort afloat.
Day 10 - Go for a morning
of diving or a day tour on the
island.
Day 11 - Head down to Bay
d’Avea for the night.
Day 12 - Sail back to Faaroa
Bay on Raiatea. Explore the
Aoppamao by dinghy. It’s the
only navigable river in French
Polynesia.
Day 13 - Return Boats to base
by 10:00 a.m. We’ll fly out
in the afternoon to Tahiti and
check in at the Sofitel Maeva
Beach. Dinner in Papeete.
Day 14 - Leave bags at the
hotel to spend the day in town;
shopping and sightseeing.
Return to hotel for dinner and
to pick up bags to take to the
airport. The flight leaves at
11:45 p.m. and arrives in L.A.
at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday,
Sep 21.
Reservation and
Payment
Information
Total cost: $2895
Deduct $200 each for persons
sharing boat cabin.
$100 non refundable deposit
$1000 due March 1, 2011
$1000 due May 1, 2011
Balance due July 1, 2011
Dining
Spinnaker is supplying each boat with a “Split” provisioning package.
This will provide food for all breakfasts, lunches and snacks and at
least 1/2 the dinners. We’ll dine ashore when not aboard. Each boat is
equipped with a full galley and a stern barbecue grill.
There is a dinner show with native music, dancing and entertainment
available on Tahaa.
Bareboat Charter Certification
Certification is available to Basic Coastal Cruising graduates. The cost
is $315.00 extra for text book, certification & instruction. Graduates
can do their own bareboat chartering and with experience may qualify
to skipper Spinnaker Sailing Vacation boats in the future.
The Text, Cruising Fundamentals, should be obtained as soon as possible to allow enough study time. The written test can be taken at
Spinnaker Sailing in Redwood City any time before or after the cruise.
On the water requirements will be met during the cruise in Tahiti.
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.