Category Archives: Rangiroa

January 22nd

5 in the morning and the first rays of light were coming over the eastern horizon, it was going to be a beautiful day.  Ahead of us, on the horizon, could be seen a dark line, with a gap in the centre; the dark was palm trees and the gap was where we had to get through.  I see from some of your comments, you are not quite sure of the ‘layout’ of Rangiroa; it is an atoll, a circular mass of coral, with a lagoon in the centre.  It is best shown from a screenshot.  This ‘Transas’ is not used for navigational purposes, however it’s a great tool for downloading picture files.  So, here is an overview of Rangiroa:-

overview

41 miles from the NW end to the SE end and 17 miles at its widest

 

The green line was our approach track.  We embark a pilot here, (French), his local knowledge is invaluable, it’s a tricky entrance with strong tides, as you will see from the photographs later.  First, some more downloads and you will get the idea.

Approach through 'La Passe'

Approach through ‘La Passe’

Past the coral bank and to the anchorage

Past the coral bank and to the anchorage

Now some photos.

From about 5 miles out, the 'Pass' and the tree-line

From about 5 miles out, the ‘Pass’ and the tree-line

Just over a mile out, all becomes clearer

Just over a mile out, all becomes clearer

Getting closer and the tide rips more obvious

Getting closer and the tide rips more obvious

Closer still

Closer still

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Aha! Now you see what I'm taling about, a 5-knot ebb current

Aha! Now you see what I’m talking about, a 5-knot ebb current

That's our shadow on the west-side :-)

That’s our shadow on the west-side 🙂

Through the gap, using lots of rudder to keep her steady and we’re through and approaching the anchorage.

Karen 1 and Karen 2 were off early, I had work to do.  We tendered to the pier off the village if Tipata and from there, if one so wished, one could take a water ferry across the ‘Pass’ to Oputu on the other side.  The ladies rented tricycles and had a wander, here are a few of their photos.

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The resort of 'Kia Ora'

The resort of ‘Kia Ora’

With beautiful bungalows

With beautiful bungalows

I managed a wander ashore in the late morning, (for the blog of course).

The church nesstling in the trees

The church nestling in the trees

Our tender pier

Our tender pier, (taken as went past)

Inside the lagoon; 'La Passe' centre.

Inside the lagoon; ‘La Passe’ centre.

At anchor

At anchor

La Passe from the east shore

La Passe from the east shore

A local group entertained guests

A local group entertained guests

A tender coming alongside the pier while a water-taxi boards passengers.

A tender coming alongside the pier while a water-taxi boards passengers.

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An overly large pig having a snooze in the garden

An overly large pig having a snooze in the garden

Buying trinkets

Buying trinkets

The church

The church

The trinkets

The trinkets

Locals having a chat in the shade.

Locals having a chat in the shade.

Beautiful turquoise water

Beautiful turquoise water

Another, of us at achor

Another, of us at anchor