Kiteboarding and Climbing Maupiti

Breathtaking view from the top.   You can see the fringing reef closely surrounding the island in the middle and motu's (little islands) attached to the reef.

Entering the pass at Maupiti.  We climbed to the top of that mountain in the distance

Maupiti lies twenty five miles West of Bora Bora.  They say Maupiti is like Bora Bora was 50 years ago.  We set sail in the morning and arrived at midday, the best time to navigate the pass.  Upon entering the turquoise lagoon, my eyes lit up - what a great kite surfing spot!

We found our friends, Karl, Becky, Sophia and Blake on SY Windarra anchored nearby and we went over and joined them.  They had arrived a couple of days before and gave us the lay of the land, insisting we do the hike to the top of Maupiti's peak, the  view phenomenal.  This turned out to be a two-three hour vertical climb, some places using ropes, but yes it was worth it.  Although I swear my legs felt like they didn't belong to me for a few days after.

Local fisherman greeting us as we enter the lagoon

sundowners on T R I B E with Sascha, Steven, Karl, Claire, Becky and Chris

 view of the anchorage

Layla happy to be at the top

Entrance Pass into the lagoon in the distance 

Kite surfing across the lagoons crystal clear shallow waters was exhilarating and something I especially enjoyed.  Skyla and I put our kayaks in the water and spent a few hours exploring the lagoon the morning before we left.  A memorable way to spend our last morning. 

 launching kite off T R I B E stern

Sascha kiting across the lagoon

sundowners on the beach the evening before we left... 

We are heading to our last stop in French Polynesia, Mopelia Atoll.  The pass entrance into Mopelia is notoriously known for being the most difficult and dangerous pass in French Polynesia, wish us luck...