Just about 25 miles west of Bora Bora is a magnificent island named Maupiti. It’s a small coral atoll with a volcanic island rising from the center of it. There’s approximately 1,200 people that live on the just over 4 square miles of land. They say entering the passage can be tricky as it’s very narrow and there’s lots of bommies on either side of the pass. Fortunately for us we found it to be a pretty easy passage into the atoll.
Once inside we were literally in awe of the beauty surrounding us. There is no doubt in our minds that this is the single most beautiful place we have visited in all of French Polynesia! We were looking forward to spending a week or so here before moving on toward the Cook Islands.
For the first few days we anchored down near the main village. It was close to shore and stores etc… Some fellow cruisers whom we had met at the Gendarmes office in Bora Bora happened to be staying here as well. Our first night in the anchorage they had us over for cocktails and dinner. Rob & Lauren of SV Southern Comfort are super people and we really enjoyed getting to know them.
Yes…That’s a small waterspout up there but nothing too concerning for us.
While staying in the “village” anchorage we went into town and rented bicycles to explored the island. We actually rode around the entire island. Most of the road was flat as can be but there was one section that went almost straight up a large hill. Needless to say these two old people walked our bikes up the hill. It was worth the walk in the hot sun as the views we experienced from the top were nothing short of spectacular! And, the ride down was refreshing.
Another day we were sitting in the cockpit when we saw a dog swimming out into the middle of the anchorage! Apparently his family left on their boat and he wanted to go too. Dan got in the dinghy, at Jilly’s urging, to try and get the dog but the dog wasn’t having any part of it. He growled at Dan so Dan stayed with him until he reached the shore. That dog swam about a half a mile from the shore to the sandbar where his family was playing on the beach. Guessing this wasn’t the first time he did this!
After a couple of days we headed out to the south anchorage which was like being in heaven. The water is so clear and you are near the edge of the reef so you get these stunning sunsets and views of the waves crashing over the reef into the atoll. We saw a huge manta ray swimming in the shallows.
We took the dink and went exploring one day where we saw a beautiful manta ray swimming along in the shallows. Another day we went out to one of the beaches where Dan flew the kite one of his daughters bought him as a birthday gift a few years ago. And of course Jilly took the opportunity to enjoy a little float time on the Royal Swan in the crystal clear waters too.
We spent almost a week here before we planned to leave for Suwarrow in the Cook Islands. On the morning of our departure Dan started the water maker for a bit. Soon he realized we had a leak in the pressurized end cap. Water was literally spraying everywhere. Well now, this is not going to be fun.
He got on the satellite phone and called a few places trying to figure out a temporary fix. Of course we had no internet here so we couldn’t do our normal research. We did call on Jilly’s brother, Brad, to see what he could find on the internet. After our first fix was a complete failure, between Dan & Brad they were able to come up with a solution that worked. Of course this delayed us several days which meant we needed to re-provision before taking off to the Cook Islands. Oh, and we needed internet so we could order the parts we needed and get them on the way to American Samoa. So, we headed back to Bora Bora where we got provisions and ordered our parts.
Within a few days of our arrival back in Bora Bora, the proper weather window opened and we set sail on the six day passage to Suwarrow in the Cook Islands.
Until Next Time,
Jilly & Dan
Check out more of the beautiful scenery here in Maupiti. Click on the image below.
