Bora Bora – Destination Dreamin’

/ Ben Starling
Jon Boon, speaking at the Cruising Association a few weeks ago, described his recent adventures in the Pacific Islands, most notably in Bora Bora. (Yes, the Can Opener has been tardy in writing up our lecture notes…   

Oy Furrball! I’ve spent the last two weeks jigsawing all those ripped up lecture note bits back together that you shredded in some wild-abandon pretend-mouse chase-game you had on your cushion. You should be praising my persistence!  

You should not be leaving your lecture notes on my cushion, my friend… However, your point regarding persistence bears some merit. I will consider it… later.)


…I was mightily impressed with Jon’s lecture, in particular his descriptions of the fish – even sharks – that might be caught there. I can taste the mahi mahi now!


How Jon got there
He did a deal with Sun Sail charter company at the Southampton Boat Show and came away with a big smile on his face. Don’t accept the first offer, says Jon. Bargain with ’em.

Jon rounded up enough family and friends (7 people in total on a Jeanneau 34) which was enough to make the charter cost quite reasonable.

 
How much was it?
  • Flight from UK via LA to Pacific Islands: £1329/person
  • Charter cost for 14 days: £467/person  
  • Plus food.
  • (This contrasts with the cost of the overwater bungalows (like the ones in the picture above) that cost £9000/week/person)
They carried 14 lbs of food (dry goods) each in their luggage to keep costs down. 

The supermarkets on the islands are well stocked with tasty treats as there are still lots of French expats there left over from the nuclear testing, he said. You can even buy a whole sheep in the freezer if you need one. 

But the food is very expensive… and it’s imported anyway. Might as well import it yourself.

Jon also joined the Cruising Association which gave him free access to pilot books and information… but no map. The CA is quite good for maps in Europe and nearby areas, but they are less well-stocked for regions on the other side of the earth.


Notes on the weather and conditions
  • Nov – Apr is rainy season
  • prevailing easterly wind of 15-20kn – associated with choppy conditions
  • west-going equatorial current of 1kn
  • 18 inch tides at Springs

  • you can anchor in 10-20ft of water
  • line of sight navigation between islands – easy day sails
  • the islands are ringed by reefs and there are no reef markers so it makes navigation challenging
  • channel markers are coloured by Region A standards   

Great Reasons to visit Bora Bora
  • clear water
  • unique and friendly culture
  • amazing sunsets!
  • dolphins!
  • horse riding tours along the beach
  • beautiful temples (Fare) to see
  • glorious forests to explore – you can follow rivers in your dinghy deep into them
  • …aaaaaaaand the famous Bernard Moitessier spent ages in the Pacific Islands and Bora Bora. Wrote some pretty good books about his adventures there too.


We are persuaded! Bora Bora’s on our list…


–Captain Cat 

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

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