After a day at sea, it was pleasant to wake up in sight of a coral atoll with a ring of palm trees and the azure waters of Tahanea Atoll. For the morning we put all the “toys” in the water and explored most aspects of this gem. SCUBA diving, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, walking, and even the glass bottom Zodiac were all offered today. Additionally, I took a group of intrepid bird enthusiasts on a Zodiac ride across the entire atoll. Our goal: Tuamotu sandpiper, a small bird that is endemic to the Tuamotu Archipelago. We landed on a small, pristine, sandy motu, and soon were getting close views of this curious sandpiper. These birds, like many others here in French Polynesia, are endangered and also quite tame, allowing for amazing views. We watched various birds for nearly an hour before returning across the atoll.
During lunch, we repositioned to Motutunga. National Geographic Orion stayed outside of the atoll as the pass is too tiny for our ship to enter. However, this was the perfect place for drift snorkeling. The water was pouring out of the atoll, and we rode the current. The water was crystal clear and filled with healthy coral and fish. Many sharks were spotted, along with huge groupers and schools of vibrant parrotfish. Not only was it amazing snorkeling, but it was super fun!
