Leg 4: Marquesas to Rangiroa and explore the Tuamotus

Departure: Wednesday, August 5
Arrival: Tuesday, August 18
13 days total expedition time
Distance: ~500–550 nm (route dependent)
Cost: $7,150 per single berth
Fly into Nuku Hiva (NHV) | Fly out of Rangiroa (RGI)

(We’ll coordinate arrival timing and local logistics once your berth is confirmed.)

The Passage

Leg 4 marks the transition from the dramatic volcanic peaks of the Marquesas to the vast coral world of the Tuamotus. We depart steep green ridges and deep anchorages and set a southwest course across open Pacific toward a chain of low-lying atolls that demand a very different kind of seamanship.

This is shorter in miles than previous legs but rich in hands-on navigation. Trade winds typically remain steady, but landfall becomes more precise — reading water color, swell direction, and current to time safe pass entries. We’ll plan arrivals carefully, coordinating approach angles and tidal flow before entering lagoon systems.

Sailing days are balanced with intentional landfalls. Unlike pure bluewater passages, this leg blends offshore rhythm with reef awareness, route planning between scattered atolls, and developing confidence in coral navigation.

Arrival in Rangiroa is unforgettable. One of the largest atolls on Earth, it feels less like an island and more like a private sea — a vast lagoon enclosed by reef and punctuated by narrow passes connecting to the open ocean.

Timing & Exploration

Sailing time: ~4–6 days offshore (depending on routing and stops)
Total expedition duration: 12 days

The remaining time is intentionally structured for Tuamotu exploration — lagoon sailing, reef pass timing, anchoring in coral environments, and absorbing the quiet scale of these low-lying islands.

What to Expect

This is a hands-on expedition limited to six crew members with meaningful 1:1 instruction. You’ll rotate through navigation, weather, systems, galley, and rigging roles while standing watch during offshore segments.

Instruction typically includes:

• Reef pass planning and current/tide timing
• Reading water color and coral awareness
• Trade-wind routing between scattered atolls
• Downwind sail trim in moderate trades
• Real-world crew coordination and offshore routines

Optional ASA certifications (including ocean passagemaking or celestial navigation, depending on experience) may be available on this leg.