Approaching Southern Tahiti
8pm local 06:00 UTC
pos 17deg53.355S, 149deg05.738W
We are rounding the southern tip of Tahiti. We got here faster than expected, sleigh riding at 100-120deg under spinnaker alone with solid 14-18knots of true wind. We averaged close to 8 knots for the day with plenty 10 knot spells and a 12.4 knot top speed! We are about to sail past Havae reef pass which is where Teahupoo is situated. Its too tricky to go in there now at night so we are going to enter one of the reef passes a few miles further north. Its almost full moon so it should be fine. The pass I have in mind, Tapuaeraha, has two lead lights up on the hill. We hope to anchor next to Vairao village and do some food shopping tomorrow. Then its back down to Teahupoo, rumour has it that there is a big sw swell arriving mid week. Few nice 12 ft Teahupoo barrels should be fun. Get the old heart pumping.
Its worth checking out this southern coast of Tahiti on google earth... most of Tahiti is surrounded by a lagoon and outer reef, you can almost cruise around the whole island inside this protected lagoon. There is a multitude of reef passes to access various parts of it, the wave Teahupoo happens to be on the south side of one of the most southern passes (Havae reef pass). So we can actually drive shimmi right up to the wave. Hold thumbs for a big circus at Teahupoo mid week. Curtis can you confirm this swell?
Au revoir
G
