Route
The Marquesas are some of the most remote inhabited islands on earth. Their rich cultural heritage and the steep mountain peaks with hiking trails makes it an attractive place to combine sailing and hiking. Manta rays and group of dolphins can be spotted around the anchorages. The two main airports of Nuku Hiva and Hiva-Oa are well deserved with daily flights from Tahiti and it’s the perfect place for a shorter sailing vacation or the starting point of a longer journey.
The first map shows an example of a 2 weeks round trip around the Marquesas. The first week we would explore Nuku Hiva, Ua-Pou and Hiva-Oa. The second week we would sail to Fatu Hiva and the Bay of Virgins, said to be one of the most beautiful anchorages in the world and the famous walk to the waterfall and pool.
The second map shows the proposed routes towards the exciting desinations in the south: Gambier is a beautiful and majestic place, very prosperous with the friendly locals very focused on pearl farming. Interesting visits on a farm can be arranged. It is a group of volcanic islands protected by a surrounding coral reef. There are plenty of nice hikes and incredible pristine snorkelling places where you’ll meet sharks and manta rays right next to the boat. If you really want to get off the beaten path it is the place to go. The passage from Marquises to Gambier takes about 8 days and you will experience the real adventure cruisers life with a landfall in heaven. Minimum duration of this charter is 2 weeks to have some time for training (safety briefing, man-over-board drill etc.) and choosing the right weather window. Gambier is connected by air twice a week with Tahiti. Pitcairn Island is famous for its association with the mutiny of the Bounty and some of the descendants of the mutineers live here. There is no airport in Pitcairn and very few people make it there. Even if the weather is settled it’s a difficult destination. The Pitcairn islanders will normally come out and help disembarking. Ashore it is a fantastic little island and a very interesting way of life with a phenomenal history. The decisions of making the detour will be taken while sailing towards Gambier based on the latest weather forecast. Additional time for this option is one week. If we can’t make it to Pitcairn we will spend our time in exploring Gambier. You won’t regret having extra time on a yacht there ! Les Australes are the southernmost and less visited islands of French Polynesia. It’s a more demanding navigation only possible from May 2024 onwards. It’s also colder climate and ideally for people with a previous sailing experience. Leaving from Gambier we would start with a 5 days passage to the exciting and remote island of Rapa. This place is particularly welcoming as it rarely sees any visitor and gets provisions by cargo only once a month. Our journey will continue to the beautiful islands of Raivavae and Tubuai. From there you could sail or fly back to Tahiti. Minimum required time is 2 weeks for this charter.
