2026 Leg 3 Brief — Marquesas → Rangiroa (via Tuamotus)
Leg 3: Marquesas to Rangiroa, Tuamotus (French Polynesia)
Departure: Wednesday July 15, 2026
Arrival: Sunday July 26, 2026
Duration: 11 days
Distance: ~800 nm planned sailing (rhumb-line/direct ~575 nm)
Berths: 6 available
Cost: $7,150 per single berth
Fly into: Nuku Hiva (NHV)
Fly out of: Rangiroa (RGI)
(We’ll help coordinate arrival/departure timing and local transport details once you confirm your berth.) koru.world
The Passage
Leg 3 is where the season pivots from dramatic volcanic landfalls to the low-lying coral world of the Tuamotus. We depart the steep green peaks of the Marquesas and sail southwest into an archipelago so vast and scattered it feels like sailing through a constellation — tiny atolls rising just inches above the sea, each with its own reef passes, currents, and lagoon ecosystems.
Compared to Leg 2’s big-ocean rhythm, this leg is a sailor’s navigation masterclass. Days are still trade-wind driven, but landfall becomes more precise: reading the water by color and texture, timing pass entries for tide and swell, and learning how to move safely and confidently among reefs and lagoons. The sailing is shorter in miles, but richer in “hands-on” decision making.
We finish in Rangiroa — one of the largest atolls on Earth — slipping through its famous passes into a lagoon that feels like a private sea.
Seamanship & Learning Focus
Koru Expeditions is not a staffed luxury cruise. You’ll be part of a working crew, actively involved in every aspect of the passage.
On Leg 3, that means strong emphasis on:
Offshore routine + watch-standing in steady trades
Reef and atoll navigation: pass approach planning, current/tide timing, reef awareness
Sail trim and performance in consistent downwind conditions
Weather interpretation and daily route decisions
Real-world passagemaking life: provisioning rhythms, galley rotation, maintenance, teamwork
Optional ASA certifications are available on this leg (including ocean passagemaking / celestial navigation depending on your experience and goals).
Diving & Underwater World
Sailing into the Tuamotus also means entering some of the Pacific’s best diving and snorkeling. This leg is a natural fit for anyone wanting to build or deepen their PADI skills in warm, clear water. koru.world
Rangiroa is a bucket-list destination: expect lagoon dives, drift dives through passes, and a stunning density of marine life. Conditions and exact sites will depend on weather and timing, but the goal is simple — to arrive not just as sailors, but as fully immersed ocean travelers.
(PADI instruction can be integrated by request; we’ll coordinate specifics with you ahead of departure.)
Is This Leg Right for You?
Leg 3 is ideal if you:
want a true hands-on passage without the full 2,000-mile open-ocean commitment of Leg 2
are excited about atoll-navigation seamanship and “reading the sea” close to reefs
want to sail and dive together in one of the Pacific’s most iconic regions
are ready to contribute to crew life — cooking, cleaning, trimming sails, learning daily
You don’t need to be an expert sailor, but you should be eager to participate and comfortable with the reality of offshore cruising: shifting weather, long days, salt, sweat, and the satisfaction that comes with doing it for real.
Logistics Notes
Arrivals: Fly into Nuku Hiva (NHV). We’ll share recommended arrival windows and local transfer guidance once you’re booked.
Departures: Fly out of Rangiroa (RGI).
Provisioning: We’ll provision together in the Marquesas before departure.
What to pack: You’ll receive a detailed gear list, but plan for light tropical layers, reef-safe sun protection, and optional dive kit.
Communications: Limited connectivity offshore; you’ll be fully in expedition mode. That said, about an hour a day Starlink will be available
How to Join
If this leg resonates, the next step is to secure your berth with a refundable $1,000 deposit and schedule a call with Ken and Renée. We’ll confirm fit, answer questions, and share the full pre-departure packet.
