June 27 - General thoughts on the Tuamotus

We really enjoyed the Tuamotus atolls. They offer something for everyone: isolated atolls or atolls with small villages, depending on your mood; interesting navigation thru the passes with the necessity of timing your entry/exit for slack water, not an easy task even in good weather; great diving and snorkling, with schools of fish, shark and colors that are a photographer's dream; lovely beaches and reefs, with the opportunity to go shelling and lobstering; wonderful people who welcome you with smiles, from the adults to the kids; black pearls, which are only to be found produced by the local oysters; and last, not to be forgotten, fresh baguettes and croissants, depending on where you are, that are absolutely delicious! We've only been to three atolls (Makemo, Fakarava and Toau) but we think with careful navigation, GPS, and good charts, the atolls of the Tuamotus should be on many more cruisers itineraries. Also, one other wonderful resource deserves special mention. "The Tuamotus Compendium" was put together by our friends aboard the sv Soggy Paws (Dave and Sherry) and Visions of Johanna (Bill, Johanna, and Gram). It can be found on either vessel's website, and offers a wealth of up to date information for those cruisers planning on spending time here. Check it out!

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