Rangiroa is a large atoll, 42 miles, 67 kms across east-west and 17 miles, 27 kms north-south. Coconut palms line the low-lying coral banks and the main town, Avatoru lies on the northern side.
Our route from the north-east towards Rangiroa and our route to the west and south-west towards Tahiti
There is only 1 approach for the inside waters, through the Tiputa Pass, a narrow gap between the coral reefs through which the current rushes, either in or out from the lagoon. We take a pilot here and he will stay with us until we clear Bora Bora. We embark him 3 miles from the entrance and make for the narrow gap. With the strong north-east wind and current, we decide to keep 12 knots, (about 13 mph, 16 kph) speed until through; once past the sandbar, which has the leading marks on it, we reduce and make a turn to starboard, towards the anchorage.
The pass from a distance, narrow?
The flood current can be seen now
The approach through the Pass
Magnified, our track is the dotted line, the solid line is an alternative anchorage route which we used in 2016
Anchoring in 30m of water, we start our tender service to the pier, which is tucked in just to the west of the Pass. The heat is oppressive, however an easterly wind gives some respite.
Our tender platform open and tender departing
K1 and Hazel waiting to go
As is the norm I take a jaunt ashore for some photos, accompanying K1 and Hazel who, I surmise, (correctly), will browse the stalls. We are greeted on the pier with some locals, playing various instruments with gusto.
Approaching the pier, a local dive-boat returns. Rangiroa has some of the best diving in the world
Our enthusiastic band
and some local ladies dancing to the music
Clear, blue water
In the distance, some of the guests are snorkelling near the sandbar
The inevitable stalls await..
Yup, I guessed it!
A resort to the west of the pier
and closer, a hostelry, full of our guests, (maybe it has wifi? 🙂
The Amsterdam, framed by coconut palms
The garden of a nearby house
Locals ‘ferry’ themselves around
Black pearls can be found here
This one? around $2,000 US.
In the Pass, the tide has turned and is ebbing; standing waves are produced
One of Karen’s photos
The Tender-chasers are here too
We leave here soon, for Papeete, Tahiti; arriving tomorrow. All I have to do is complete my departure video, edit and post on here and I’ll be set to send it to you.
Voila!
Radar picture of the pass
The current ‘rip’
Reef to starboard
Reef on the east side
Reef to the west side
