Category Archives: French Polynesia

French Polynesia islands including: Marquesas, Society, Astrolls, Tuamotus, and Gambiers

Mo’orea Opunohu Valley Hike

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It was time to get up and get moving.  We decide to hike through Opunohu Valley to see the pineapple plantations and amazing views.  Matt researches our trail and we decide to do a 5.1 mile hike.  We were not 100% certain where we could safely leave the dinghy, so we leave it at a place we know is secure.  We start walking along the 2 lane road.  About 1 mile into our walk, I ask Matt how far to the start of our hike.  He says, “uh, it is another 1.5 miles to the entrance.”  Ok, so 2.5 miles to get to the 5.1 mile hike and then 2.5 miles back?  Oh dear….

The view at the start of the hiking trails is gorgeous.  

Opunohu Valley

Opunohu Valley

There are dozens of trails through the Opunohu Valley. Our trail follows the black line (top photo) and then catches the red line on the way back.  At least that is the “plan.”

Opunohu Valley Trails

Opunohu Valley Trails

If you look really hard you can see the face at the top of the mountain.  Focus on the hole at the top

The trails were marked, but they were rather confusing.  Can you make out the trail this is pointing to?  Keep in mind that there are dozens of trails and this does not indicate which one is to the right.  Our trail takes us across a few rivers.  You can usually cross over rocks, but the boys decided to cross over a fallen tree.

There were several very old and very large banyan trees.  We found one tree with the strangest looping branch.

Pineapple Fields Forever…

We passed through several fields of pineapples. 

Pineapple Fields

Pineapple Fields

It was super fun to see the different stages of pineapple growth

This picture just spoke to us – take me, shoot me, capture me, remember me.

A photo at the start and end of our hike. Not much worse off.

Proof of our crazy death march:

In our next blog we visit a sea turtle sanctuary, Te Mana O’ Te Moana.  Did you forget to read our last blog where we visited a black sand beach at Point Venus? 

Events from this blog post occurred during the first week of August, 2021.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.

Point Venus Lighthouse

Point Venus, Black Sand Beach

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One of my favorite anchorages on Tahiti is Point Venus.  It is a large bay with few boats and a beautiful black sand beach. Also, there is loads of history and historical markers around.

Captain James Cook set up his observatory at Point Venus, on a small corner of the northern part of Tahiti.  It is here that he watched the transit of Venus which only occurs once a century.  The beautiful and still functioning lighthouse was built nearly 100 years after Cook’s visit, in 1868.

Point Venus Lighthouse

Point Venus Lighthouse

There are several monuments celebrating Captain Cook and his men, including this large rock.

On the edge of the water you can find several pirogue’s also known as Va’as.  These were used for daily transport in the 19th century.  Today, they are still used to just “get around” and or to race with your fellow local Tahitian.

Unfortunately, we did not get any great photos on the black sand beach during our beach day.  But here are a few that I grabbed from the boat.  Just squint a little and trust me that it is black sand 🙂 Here are some black sand beach photos online.

Black sand beach, Point Venus

Black sand beach, Point Venus

Another beautiful sunset

The Konis family settles in for movie night

Passage to Mo’orea

The next day we make the short 10-mile passage to Mo’orea.  Despite it being a light wind day, we have enough to put up the sails.  Everyone enjoys the sun, the soft breeze and the ocean lapping against Sugar Shack.

Sugar Shack Passage

Sugar Shack Passage

The boys at the helm:

The Konis family under way….

Some more leisure time on Sugar Shack

In our next blog we visit to the beautiful island of Mo’orea.  Did you miss our last adventure with the Konis family?  If so, check out the world’s most challenging surf site: Teahupoo.

Events from this blog post occurred during the first week of August, 2021.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.

Cole and Cameron Teahupoo

Teahupoo: The Most Deadliest Break in the World

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The world-famous surf spot Teahupoo (pronounced “cho-poo”) is a must see for all surfer lovers.  It’s known to be one of the top most deadliest surf places that delivers the best waves of your life.  In 2019, (I had an opportunity to check out the waves up close and personal during the World Surf Competition held in Teahupoo.)

Why are the waves considered to be the most dangerous break in the world?  Well, they have a unique combination of size, power, and speed made more dangerous because they break over a sharp coral reef lying only meters below the surface.

To many, this is not just scary, but terrifying.  The waves have been known to rip the boardshorts off of surfers!  And if that is not enough, there are sharks swimming around the break.

Just fifty yards beyond the Teahupoo reef lies the ocean with depths of more than 100 meters (300’+). This is the main reason for the force and power of the waves.  These giant waves reach heights of up to 18 meters (50’) and break over water that is less than 2 meters (6’) deep over the reef.  It is this transition from super deep to very shallow that makes the wave the scariest on the planet.

An Experience of a Lifetime

But if you are a surfer or surf fan and you are visiting Tahiti – it is a MUST see.  So, we take the Konis family to visit Teahupoo.  There is a large wave here that presents a wonderful opportunity for photos.

Islanders used to surf to transit between islands.  Imagine making that journey?  Female surfers have been well documented and are a large part of local stories and heritage.  I love these images.

A local merchant convinced us to send the boys out in their boat to see the waves up close.  Unfortunately, the waves were only 6’-8’ tall, not huge, but still impressive.  They were able to jump in the water to see the coral below and watch a few locals show off their skills in a barrel.  Of course, not one of them took any photos!

Konis Men Going Out to See the Wave

Konis Men Going Out to See the Wave

On the way back to the car, we passed this beautiful lagoon.  I love the shadows on the water.

Rounding out our Tour on Tahiti:

We celebrate a great touristy day at Captain Bligh.  We toured in one very small car, in one day, to see the Museum de Tahiti, Tahitian Natural Grottos Mara’a, Jardin d’eau Vaihapi, Teahupoo, and Captain Bligh!  Big day.

Both Captain Bligh’s signs were obscured by the lights.  But you get the idea.

Captain Blight Night Out

Captain Bligh Night Out

We had a stunning purple sunset:

Kimberly and I competing with natures beauty

The boys enjoying the sunset up close and personal.

One more just because you’ve been so good.

In our next blog we head to Pt Venus with its black sand beach.  Did you miss our last adventure with the Konis family?  If so, check out the Tahitian Water Garden: Jardin d’eau de Vaipai.

Events from this blog post occurred during the last week of July, 2021.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.