{"id":49240,"date":"2022-10-12T10:57:27","date_gmt":"2022-10-12T14:57:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/?p=49240"},"modified":"2023-05-06T18:20:19","modified_gmt":"2023-05-06T22:20:19","slug":"how-to-use-weather-patterns-and-seasons-in-french-polynesia-to-optimize-regional-cruising","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/destinations\/how-to-use-weather-patterns-and-seasons-in-french-polynesia-to-optimize-regional-cruising\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Weather Patterns and Seasons in French Polynesia to Optimize Regional Cruising"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Raivavae\" <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Pitufa<\/i> anchored off Raivavae in the Austral archipelago, south of Tahiti. Time your passages with trade winds and troughs in mind.<\/span>\n Birgit Hackl<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n\n

When we arrived in French Polynesia<\/a> in May 2013, we saw the island group as a stopover on our way across the South Pacific. We\u2019d heeded the advice of Jimmy Cornell\u2019s World Cruising Routes<\/a><\/em> and arrived after the end of the cyclone season, but we found lots of contradictory information in our research about everything from temperature to ocean swell to rainy seasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As it turned out, there\u2019s a good reason for all the confusion. French Polynesia is a big place. It has 118 volcanic islands, makateas<\/em> (raised atolls) and atolls that stretch out over an expanse as big as Europe. The five archipelagoes\u2014Society Islands, Tuamotus, Gambier, Marquesas and Austral\u2014have different languages, different cultures and quite different climates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on our pre-arrival research, we expected to find a tropical climate year-round. That turned out to be true for the Society Islands but not the Gambier, where we shivered in temperatures below 68 degrees Fahrenheit. In August, we fled northward from the Gambier to escape the cold Southern Hemisphere winter, only to roll miserably in the Marquesas during the season with the highest swell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these rookie mistakes, we fell in love with French Polynesia and decided that we needed more time than just one season to explore this vast and diverse cruising ground. The temperatures and seasonal variations can be quite different across the five island groups. If you know your way around (like we do after eight years), you can find a pleasant corner for each season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Tahaa\" <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Heiva i Tahiti dancing in Tahaa, Society Islands.<\/span>\n Birgit Hackl<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

The distances between the archipelagoes are considerable\u2014sometimes 800 to 900 nautical miles. What we\u2019ve learned during our years cruising the region is that you can use the weather patterns to your advantage for fairly comfortable, easy passages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the benefit of hindsight, we would plan our arrival and itinerary for the first year in French Polynesia quite differently from what we did in 2013. Wind patterns and seasonal shifts play a major role in planning west-to-east passages between the island groups (see sidebar on page 55). Here\u2019s more of what we have learned about each archipelago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Marquesas\" <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Hackl\u2019s S&S-designed Pitufa<\/i> rests at anchor in the Baie des Vierges, Fatu Hiva, Marquesas.<\/span>\n Birgit Hackl<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Marquesas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sailboats crossing the Pacific in December or January from Central America or the Galapagos Islands should have fairly reliable wind on the way to the Marquesas. The northernmost group of French Polynesia, the Marquesas \u00adarchipelago lies outside the cyclone belt, so there is minimal risk of running into a developing storm underway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An early start means that you will arrive before the fleet of puddle jumpers starts crowding the anchorages. The islands\u2019 high, rugged mountains are great for hiking, but the often murky, dark water discourages snorkeling\u2014even though you may have impressive encounters with manta rays, pelagic sharks and groups of dolphins around the anchorages. Southerly swell, which makes the open anchorages very uncomfortable during southern winter, should not be a big issue at this time of the year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a bit of luck, you\u2019ll spend quiet nights even without a stern anchor. No-nos (biting little flies) are always a nuisance, but the situation is better during the dry season from October to April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuamotus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Continue toward the Tuamotus in April after the end of the cyclone season, when the region is still warm and not too windy. That\u2019s a good time of year to explore the motus and lagoons, and to enjoy snorkeling the spectacular passes. The low atolls give access to an incredible underwater world (take nothing but pictures; the resources of atolls are limited), and from June to October, humpback whales are often sighted on the outer reefs and even in the lagoons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cyclones are rare in this archipelago, but sitting one out in the unprotected anchorages would be a nightmare, so we avoid cruising here in the cyclone season. During the strong trade winds in July and August, it gets quite cool. High waves and swell fill up the lagoons, so the currents in the passes are faster. Snorkeling is less fun, and the choice of anchorages is limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Society Islands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Head to the Society Islands in July, in time for the Heiva i Tahiti festival, which is filled with spectacular dancing and drumming events. The pleasantly dry, breezy winter weather (Southern Hemisphere winter) is ideal to go hiking on the high, mountainous islands of Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha\u2019a and Maupiti. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, the coral in the lagoons is mostly dead, but there are some nice dive spots on outer reefs. Humpback whales roam the area between July and October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the onset of cyclone season in December, it is time to leave again. The following months will be hot, humid and oppressive in the Societies. During an active South Pacific Convergence Zone, many lows pass over the islands and bring a certain risk of cyclones.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Raivavae\" <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Look for weather windows to sail to the Australs in October and November. The islands of Raivavae (pictured), Rimatara, Rurutu, Tubuai, and Rapa are beautiful and have a thriving culture.<\/span>\n Maloff \/ Shutterstock.com<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Austral Islands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Start looking for weather windows to sail to the Australs in October and November. The islands of Rimatara, Rurutu, Tubuai, Raivavae, and Rapa are spectacularly beautiful and have a thriving culture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are also the least-visited islands of French Polynesia. While southern summer between December and March would be the most pleasant time there, it\u2019s also the cyclone season, and these islands are right in the path, particularly when the South Pacific Convergence Zone is active. The best time to visit is November and December, when it\u2019s already warm but the cyclone season is only in its beginnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After March, it\u2019s already southern autumn, when frequent depressions start moving by, sending high swell, strong winds and cold air masses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gambier Islands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finding a weather window to sail to the Gambier Islands with favorable winds might require some patience. Convergence zones often bring northerly winds that facilitate easting. If you arrive in the Gambier in December or January, you can spend the pleasantly warm summer months exploring the numerous anchorages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Gambier has a mixture of high, mountainous islands with clear lagoons, healthy coral reefs and low-lying motus on the barrier reef. For us, it is the highlight of French Polynesia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This archipelago has well-protected anchorages and a low risk of cyclones, particularly during El Ni\u00f1o-neutral periods, when the temperatures can rise to the mid-80s Fahrenheit, but the days are usually pleasantly breezy (there can be rainy days or even weeks).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"whitetip <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n A resident whitetip shark searches for a meal.<\/span>\n Birgit Hackl<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Leave before the southern winter hits from July to September and the temperatures drop to 60 degrees, which feels much chillier than it sounds when it\u2019s blowing hard and raining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the way west, there is still time to see more of the Tuamotus and Societies before heading on in the next sailing season, or you might even decide that you need another year or two to enjoy French Polynesia, just as we did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Wind Patterns of the South Pacific<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a general rule, the trade winds blow predominantly from the east between February and April, from the east to southeast between May and November, and from the east to northeast in December and January. Disturbances are common: During southern winter, fronts of strong low-pressure systems move far in the south. During southern summer, convergence zones influence the weather patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sailing westward in the trade-wind belt is most comfortable during a stable period of easterly trades. Frequent troughs interrupt the trade winds in the Pacific, which is annoying during a long passage westward. It\u2019s best to have a series of possible stopovers in mind in case the window does not last long enough to reach the planned destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When sailing eastward, we use those interruptions to gain easting. When a trough passes, the wind shifts from east to northeast, then north\/northwest, followed by a calm period and sudden southern wind (when the convergence passes over your location), or back to east (when the trough moves by to the south). With some patience, it\u2019s possible to sail from Tahiti eastward to the Tuamotus and then hop from atoll to atoll. The predominant southeast wind facilitates passages northeastward to the Marquesas from May to November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Passages southeastward to the Gambier archipelago are better undertaken later in the year, when phases of northeast wind become longer and more predominant from December on. \u2014BH<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Birgit Hackl and Christian Feldbauer have been cruising for 10 years, eight of them in the South Pacific. They have explored westward to the Cook Islands and Tonga on their 41-foot S&S-designed\u00a0<\/em>Pitufa, but French Polynesia is their home base. They are currently in Fiji. Check out their blog<\/a> for weather information, cruising guides and more.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wind patterns and seasonal shifts play a major role in planning passages between the five island groups.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":49241,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"BS_author_type":"BS_author_is_guest","BS_guest_author_name":"Birgit Hackl","BS_guest_author_url":"","hydra_display_date":"","hydra_display_updated":false,"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"162","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","arc_story_id":"","arc_website_url":"","custom_permalink":"","arc_subtype":"","arc_exclude_from_feeds":false,"sponsored":false,"sponsored_label":"Sponsored Content","sponsored_display_label":false,"sponsored_image":false,"post_right_rail":true,"post_right_rail_ad_1":true,"post_right_rail_ad_2":true,"post_right_rail_ad_3":false,"post_right_rail_ad_4":false,"post_right_rail_recirc":true,"fixed_anchor_ad":true,"post_top_ad":true,"post_off_ramp":true,"post_taboola":false,"labels":true,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":"\"\"","apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":"","ad_settings_ads_on_this_page":true,"ad_settings_automatic_ad_injection_into_the_content":true,"ad_targeting":"","sponsored_url":"","social_share":true},"categories":[162],"tags":[205,701,183,515,1933,454],"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49240"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49240"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49240\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}