Re: [Paddlewise] Tuomatous

On 11/6/07, Gary Prebble <aguysailing_at_yahoo.ca> wrote:
>
> Hello.... I would like to sea kayak the Toumatous in the south seas.  Can
> anyone refer me to a tour guide or if anyone is planning a trip perhaps we
> can link up.
>
> This link is to a National Geographic article on the Tuamotus; otherwise
known as the "Dangerous Archipelago" because of the difficulties in
navigating through them. In fact, many sailors go 500 miles out of their way
to the north just to avoid them. Well, at least they did before GPS. But
when all we had were sextants the Tuamotus were a scary speedbump smack-dab
between the Marquesas Islands and Tahiti.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/12/1216_021216_bowermaster.html

and another:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0308/story.html#story_2

Currents in the Tuamotus are unpredictable and the low-lying coral islets
are difficult to spot; especially at night.

Another link:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/12/1216_021216_bowermaster.html

The Tuamotus are difficult to get to partly because they are so isolated
(over 200 miles from Tahiti) but also because they are directly upwind into
the tradewinds. There is air service between Papeete, Tahiti and Rangiroa,
the largest city in the Tuamotus. Abandon all hope of paddling to the
Tuamotus from Tahiti.

The French, who control this part of the S. Pacific, are notoriously
protective of their territory and require that tourists have either a
round-trip ticket or deposit enough money for a return ticket. This has
caused no end of problems for yachties cruising the area. French Polynesia
is also well known for high prices. You might have to live off the land in
the Tuamotus as the area is not that well developed for tourism in regards
to restaurants and hotels.

Avoid the typhoon season.

Otherwise there doesn't seem to be much information. Cool place to paddle
though. Watch the currents in the passes.

Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
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