Cruising the Pacific

[Teknav]

Hiya Impi! The best dives in French Polynesia, are to be done at Rangiroa Atoll. Some areas have a very fast underwater current; you need to be at least an "Advanced Open Water Diver". There is nothing to do there except diving, diving, diving. With a little luck, you should be able to watch 7-10 species of sharks keeping you company, while diving. Plenty of dolphins and sea turtles to gawk at, as well. It is a premiere diving destination; I highly recommend it. Dive away!

Mauritz
PADI DM

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Teknav

Mauritz
PADI

With a name like that... I'd never have guessed you were Irish...

[medicrene]

Bora Bora! What a great time. Say hello to the police chief for me. He was an excellent host for me and my crew. The water is great! The people are fun.

The Witchdoctor

[Teknav]

Hiya Phil! I'm not Irish! I'm Italian-American living in the United States. Set your records straight, goofy one!

Mauritz

[Paul Elliott]

Hawaii is a great destination. I've cruised through the islands, and raced into Kaneohe Bay on Oahu numerous times. I think it's worth visiting, and if you enjoy sailing the passages from, and back to, the mainland can be wonderful.

There are few cruiser-friendly harbors. The marina facilities are in some cases awful. Anchorages can be dodgy. It's expensive. But none the less, I've truly enjoyed my visits. It's beautiful, and there are enough usable anchorages if you know where to find them.

But I've also really enjoyed the Marquesas and the rest of French Polynesia. And Fiji, and Vanuatu.

Full disclosure: I've not sailed my boat to the South Pacific. I hooked up with a friend in the Marquesas, and crewed on his boat for a couple of weeks as we explored those islands. A few years later I helped him take his boat from Fiji to Vanuatu. I've visited Tahiti and the Tuamotus via airplane and cruise-ship. So when it comes to the passages, take my advice with a grain of salt.

[Teknav]

Hiya Paul! Kosher salt got big grains; FYI. That's why it is used in pickling.

Mauritz
Going to behave now!

[impi]

Originally Posted by Teknav

Hiya Impi! The best dives in French Polynesia, are to be done at Rangiroa Atoll. Some areas have a very fast underwater current; you need to be at least an "Advanced Open Water Diver". There is nothing to do there except diving, diving, diving. With a little luck, you should be able to watch 7-10 species of sharks keeping you company, while diving. Plenty of dolphins and sea turtles to gawk at, as well. It is a premiere diving destination; I highly recommend it. Dive away!

Mauritz
PADI DM

This is GOOD NEWS - Can hardly wait. Heading that way next week.

[savoir]

Vanuatu offers great cruising albeit primitive. There is only one fuel dock in the whole country. If you want diesel in Luganville, the second biggest town in the country, you will have to hike to a gas station.

On the other hand you get to hang out with guys who do their grocery shopping with a spear and that is seriously educational.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by savoir

Vanuatu offers great cruising albeit primitive. There is only one fuel dock in the whole country. If you want diesel in Luganville, the second biggest town in the country, you will have to hike to a gas station.

On the other hand you get to hang out with guys who do their grocery shopping with a spear and that is seriously educational.

Numbahwan...

[savoir]

Exactly. Careful though, atoll will be along any minute with some phrases even I don't know.

I do miss the food. The natives are brilliant gardeners and the best bananas I ever ate in my life were at the market in Vila.

YUM !

gudnaet

[VirtualVagabond]

This thread is great timing.

We're leaving Las Brisas tomorrow for a few days in Las Perlas, and then it's next stop Marquesas

Vic

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by VirtualVagabond

This thread is great timing.

We're leaving Las Brisas tomorrow for a few days in Las Perlas, and then it's next stop Marquesas

Vic

Enjoy the trip.... and the people... that's what really counts...

[rebel heart]

Leaving in the spring, can't wait.

[Butler]

I like your choices Rum. Have a friend on the Big Island who has been there a long time makin' surfboards and he is always bugging me to come over. I am also interested in those islands you mentioned. Seems like the road less traveled. Very curious about both sides of Samoa and have a couple of friends with family on both sides. I enjoy hangin' with the Samoans here. Always fun so I figure it would be a worthwhile visit. Hope your plans work out, ought to be a good bit of adventure.

[chris_gee]

I wonder if perhaps you might consider doing some research on the places and specifically why certain routes are favoured. Like maybe winds and currents, and uncharted reefs and that. Cornell is an introduction. Might be better than top of your head stuff.