Wayne’s time with us was quickly coming to an end so we had to get him to Bora Bora.  The trip from Taha’a to Poofai Bay, Bora Bora is about 30nm.  It was a stunning day, blue skies, calm seas, pretty water, and no wind.   I mean literally we had no wind.  It was a 5-hour motor, but we got there, dropped the hook in an exquisite bay and jumped in the water for some float time.

New Bora Bora Anchoring Rules:

Francis, the local BBMS (Bora Bora Mooring Services) representative, approached us within 30 minutes of jumping in the water. He informed us that we were in a “day stop” and could not remain there overnight.  He then told us that we had to pick up a mooring ball and pay for each night.  If there were no moorings available at an anchorage we wanted to stay, then we could drop the hook.  But only if there were no available moorings.  Ugh.  $30 for 1 night, $50 for 3 nights $100 for the week.  We had heard of these new rules from other cruisers on our French Polynesia Cruisiers Facebook Group.

We paid Francis for a week and picked up the last available mooring in front of the famous Bloody Mary’s bar.  Well, when in Rome…go to Bloody Mary’s!  We hit happy hour and then closed the place down!  Don’t get the wrong idea, they closed at 2130.

Bloody Mary’s Bar

The boys slept in the next day (you can imagine why).  I was up early and got to watch an outrigger race which is part of their annual celebration called Heiva.  There had to be well over 100 outriggers paddling against the wind and current.  It was truly impressive. I cheered them on from the boat.

Outriggers racing in Heiva

We flew up the Texas Flag – just because we can.

Sugar Shack flying the Texas Flag

It was sad to send Wayne off.  The airport anchorage was about an hour motor.  We dropped the hook in 3 meters of water and had ourselves some more float time with Wayne.  Another fun shot of the three of us on the bow.

Wayne, Matt and I in Bora Bora

The airport had a beautiful statue on a little motu.  She faced the airport so you actually see here as you take the ferry to the mainland.

Marae greeting tourists to Bora Bora

We had a great time hanging with Wayne and look forward to his return visit in December.