Dangerous Archipelago

Anchored inside Kauehi Atoll.  Coral heads abound.

Hello Readers, it's been a while!

Sailing from the Marquesas to the Tuamotu Archipelago took about 4 days.  This Archipelago consists of about 80 atolls.   

Chris and Rourke checking out the catch of the day in Nuka Hiva

We visited the fish market in Nuka Hiva just before setting sail for the Tumaotu's and saw an incredible selection of fish.  

Skyla with here first Mahi Mahi

Skyla decided it was her turn to catch something on this crossing and landed a her first Mahi Mahi!

Dangerous Archipelago, as the Tuamotu Islands are known, are atolls in French Polynesia, South Pacific.  These atolls have caused many shipwrecks as they are low lying ring shaped reefs.  The tallest thing on an atoll is the highest palm tree that grows straight out of the coral reef.  These atolls have a lagoon and to enter into the lagoon one must sail through a pass in the reef.  This has to be timed at slack tide when the incoming or outgoing current is at its least. Even then, you will encounter waves, currents, eddies and turbulence coming though the pass. 

  

Navigating through these atolls without a radar would be most unwise.  In fact one of the other boats we were sailing with went on a reef here at the time we arrived, just to prove that point once again. 

The first atoll we sailed into was Kauehi.   It was a bit tense as the opening (pass) into the atoll is not very wide and the eddies try and suck you onto the reef on either side. If the wind is blowing stronger than 15 knots and there is a swell running, it is risky to try and enter.  Luckily the weather was on our side and all went smoothly.  

Layla and Rourke looking on as  SY Windarra heads into the pass at Kauehi ahead of us, the weather just perfect

Skyla checking out the swirling eddies in the pass

Chris with a Skip Jack Tuna for a delicious dish of Poisson Cru
we learned this recipe from the locals, raw fish in fresh lime and coconut milk.

We will be spending about a month cruising these atolls. 

 These atolls are also well known for their pearl farms, where black pearls are harvested, time to do some trading… Kauehi Atoll's treasures up next!