Leeward Islands

6 August 2024

Leeward Islands

The consideration of leaving half a day earlier for the Leeward Islands also worked out very well. In the rain and fog, we sailed through the passage in the reef at Tahaa into the ocean and immediately set sail. We had prepared for a strong wind with a reef in all sails and even a double reef in the mizzen.  The first few hours this felt a bit awkward, because it was no more than wind force 3 to 4, but during the evening the wind picked up and during the night there was a stiff breeze. Again, we sailed much faster than planned and by the very next morning we had covered the 90 miles between Tahaa and Moorea. We sailed on until just before the reef, where we finally got some shelter and the wind and especially the waves were a little less. Here we lowered part of the sails and quietly sailed the last mile to Cooks Bay where we enjoyed a quiet anchorage while the front passed us.

The final leg, from Moorea to Tahiti we made two days later. A short leg, and the weather was beautiful again. Just before we entered Papeete harbour, a group of pilot whales came to say goodbye to us. A worthy end to a great trip.