Experience Tahiti on a classic sailing adventure!

Tall Ship Soren Larsen - adventure sailing cruises in the tropical islands of the South Pacific and New Zealand’s Hauraki Gulf and the Bay of Islands.

Square rig adventure for all ages. Join the star of ‘The Onedin Line’.

We seek out the hidden Pacific - sailing the tradewinds to find the untouched beauty and undisturbed culture of the remoter islands and communities of Polynesia and Melanesia.

 

Evocative names of Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora and Rarotonga conjure up a Polynesian paradise that still exists.

This voyage is dedicated to a thorough cruise of the Society Islands, allowing sufficient time to explore the passages, lagoons and bays of this famous South Sea idyll.

Starting our journey at the Tahitian capital of Papeete, we may see preparations for the annual Heiva I Tahiti festival, the largest of all yearly celebrations in Tahiti, held each June and July.

From Papeete we will sail the short 10 mile passage across the Sea of the Moon to the outlying island of Moorea. Staying overnight in beautiful Cooks' Bay beneath the volcanic peak of Mt Rotui this will be our first taste of the stunning lagoons and anchorages of the Society Islands.

Sailing north west downwind from Moorea we leave the Windward isles and reach the Leeward isles about 90 miles away. This should take us around 24 hours and we first enter the reef-protected islands at Huahine. Of all the islands that are frequented by travelers, this is the least affected from such contact.

Adjacent to Huahine is Raiatea. For the Polynesian Maohi, ancestors of today's Tahitians, Raiatea was known as Sacred "Havai'i", and was the centre of royalty, religion, culture and history. It is also the home of the ancient Polynesian navigators whose sailing ‘waka’ once traversed the Pacific. There are several passes through the lagoon, which also encompasses the neighboring island of Taha’a.

 

At the shallow anchorage at Taha’a one can occasionally smell the aroma of vanilla grown in plantations here. Locals lead a simple, tranquil life of farming or fishing and outside influences on the island are minimal.

 

 

Navigating out of a pass in the reef we sail across open water to Bora Bora, the most famous of the Leeward islands. The spectacular pass at Vaitape is the only entrance through the barrier reef surrounding the island's lagoon. We will certainly spend a couple of nights here, enjoying the hospitality of Bora Bora Yacht Club, hiring bicycles to explore the island or snorkeling in the lagoon. Bora Bora is the most widely known of the outer Society islands and is more developed for high-end tourism than the less visited islands of our itinerary and its reputation is fully deserved.

 

 

We shall gradually work our way back through the island chain, visiting different anchorages and bays to take walks to explore inland. We aim to spend more time back at Moorea before completing the voyage back at Papeete The exact itinerary and time spent at each place will be decided by the Master and determined by the sailing conditions. A Captain's briefing is held each morning to view charts and discuss plans to the day, but note this trip has been planned to fully explore the Societies at relaxing pace.

On arriving onboard you will be shown your berths, introduced to the crew, and signed on Ship's Articles as Voyage Crew members. Much of the morning will be spent introducing you to the ship and explaining the various routines, safety procedures and equipment and how the watch system works.

Our sailing passage between anchorages may involve some motoring but also some quite intense sail handling. However this allows those who would rather relish the amazing scenery to stand back and let the keener sailors get involved in handling the ship under sail. Everyone is involved in the duty watch system as Voyage Crew which will operate while we are under way and you may have your turn at the helm, on bow lookout or helping trim sail or help tack ship.

Going aloft is a unique experience but is not compulsory and everyone can decide when or if they’d like to. People of all ages join us and many have never sailed before - previous experience is certainly not necessary. There are 13 permanent crew who maintain and sail the ship who are there to assist and help you enjoy your time aboard. Once we drop anchor the deck watch is undertaken by the permanent crew and you the Voyage Crew are free to explore ashore.