Blue water sailing charters

Rangiroa & Tikehau – Adventure in the atolls

(approx 140 nm)

Starting in Rangiroa, this exploration itinerary takes you to discover two atolls of the Tuamotus.

Only accessible for blue water sailers, the Tuamotus fascinate with their wild beauty. Atolls are crowns of coral and sand surrounding shallow lagoons. Outside the coral reef is the blue and infinite immensity of the Pacific while inside we are in a marine oasis : turquoise waters, pink sands, thousands of corals and multicolored fish. The atolls are almost uninhabited: Rangiroa is nearly 180 km in circumference and its village has only 500 inhabitants… the rest of the atoll is devoid of any human presence. Exploring the Tuamotus is living a real experience of cruising outside civilization, in complete autonomy. For board sports enthusiasts, the Tuamotus are the ultimate destination for kitesurfing, windsurfing and foiling. In Tikehau as in Rangiroa, the passes that connect the lagoon and the ocean offer incredible diving spots, among the most famous in the world, as well as some of the most beautiful surfing waves in the Pacific. Your sailing exploration of these 2 atolls will combine all these experiences and leave you with unforgettable memories.

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Rangiroa & Tikehau, 14 day sailing experience

Arriving in Rangiroa atoll – bird’s-eye view!

Harvest in the vineyards on Rangiroa atoll

Diving the Rangiroa pass

Itinenary

Day 1

Fight to Rangiroa and embarkement onboard our catamaran.

The flight over Tahiti and Rangiroa is in itself a unique experience, you will discover from the sky the huge circle of coral that surrounds the atoll, lost in the middle of the Pacific. After settling on board you embark on your first snorkeling. The marine fauna of the Tuamotus is just unique: thousands of multicolored fish surround you and observe you with as much curiosity as you.

Le survol aérien de Tahiti et de Rangiroa est en soi une expérience unique, vous découvrirez depuis le ciel l’immense rond de corail qui encercle l’atoll, perdu au milieu du Pacifique. Après vous être installés à bord vous vous lancez dans votre premier snorkeling. La faune marine des Tuamotus est tout simplement exceptionnelle : des milliers de poissons multicolores vous entourent et vous observent avec autant de curiosité que vous. In the evening you enjoy a moment of relaxation at sunset watching the dolphins jump in the waves of the pass to realize what you are going to experience.

Day 2

Make your first dive in the Tiputa pass, one of the 10 most famous dive spots in the world. Along the drop off, tuna, barracuda, king mackerel and different species of shark, including hammerhead sharks, rub shoulders. They watch for fish from the atoll that venture outside the pass. Visit of the Rangiroa cellar and the Mana’o rum aging cellar, the vineyard is located on a small motu a few minutes by boat from the village of Avatoru.

Day 3

Sail about thirty miles inside the atoll towards the South East to reach the Sables Roses spot, ideal for kitesurfing : the transparent water covers only a few tens of centimeters of pink sandbanks. The body of water is windy but protected from the chop: an ultimate spot for initiation such as speed runs and freestyle.

Day 4

Switch from kitesurfing, windsurfing or foiling sessions with snorkeling or spearfishing. At the end of the day, if the fishing has been good, you grill your fish on the beach, around a campfire while the stars rise in the sky.

Day 5

Cross the lagoon to the southwest for about 25 miles, and anchor in front of the old village. The vestige of dwellings hidden under the coconut trees and the church built in coral give off a mysterious atmosphere. After crossing the “motu” (the strip of sand covering the coral) you explore the reef flat: thousands of fish swim in small water holes that fill and empty with each wave. Between them the current flows at high speed in shallow channels. At nightfall you go fishing for lobster (if the swell is not too strong) or hunting for coconut crabs.

Day 6

Cross the atoll to the north for a dozen miles to the village near the pass. Spend the afternoon spearfishing along the pass, re-diving, or simply watching the dolphins playing in the pass and the many seabirds circling above the current.

Day 7

Leave Rangiroa early in the morning and sail to Tikehau. The crossing of the passes in which the currents rush are fascinating moments, between the two it is a long gliding edge downwind under gennaker. This navigation off the coast of about forty miles is the most important of your exploration and requires a lot of experience. But the arriving from the large in front of an atoll is a unique vision, normally accessible only to long-distance sailors.

Day 8

Explore the Tikehau pass by diving or snorkeling. Fish near the pass by casting or spearfishing. Between the two enjoy moments of relaxation in the lagoon.

Day 9

If the swell is there, surf the Tikehau wave. More accessible than that of Rangiroa, it allows beginners to learn accompanied by an experienced surfer provided they are in good physical shape and have good swimming skills. For the best it offers magnificent hits. Spend the rest of the day lazing around or exploring the reef flats and motus.

Day 10

Cross the atoll to the southeast, stopping at the manta ray spot to swim with them. In the afternoon you are spoiled for choice for kitesurfing spots.

Day 11

During the day, practice your favorite sliding sport and alternate with snorkeling or spearfishing. In the evening light a campfire on the motu and grill your catch of the day under the stars.

Day 12

Depending on what you prefer, stay on a kitesurf spot or go back to the pass to surf and/or dive. Explore the surrounding motus and in the evening go hunting for coconut crabs or fishing for lobster.

Day 13

Depending on what you prefer, stay on a kitesurf spot or go back to the pass to surf and/or dive. At the end of the day, head to Motu Ninamu, which is home to a luxurious Robinson Crusoe-style resort created by a former surfing champion and have a cocktail at the bar.

Day 14

Take your return flight to Tahiti and continue on your international flight or better spend a few days discovering the largest island in Polynesia.