For cruisers crossing the South Pacific, the first sailing paradise that is on everyone’s schedule is French Polynesia. First stop the magnificent Marquesas; then the remote and low lying Tuamotus; and, finally, Tahiti, Moorea and the Isles sous les Vents. Many cruisers consider this the world’s finest cruising ground. But, you can’t stay forever since the initial cruising permit lasts only three months.
The Bluewater Cruising Club, based in New Zealand, recently ran a good article by Dina Aloi and Malcolm McPhail on what to do after French Polynesia that focuses on tips for Tonga.
“What to do after French Polynesia?! You have sailed across the widest part of the Pacific Ocean and used up your 90-day French Polynesia visa: do you sail WNW to Suwarrow or WSW to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands?” Read the full article here.
