Another of my favorite cover images! I took this a few years ago in the Tuamotu archipelago of French Polynesia.
One of my favorite things about sailing inside the lagoons of these idyllic atolls is that the water is smooth and protected from the swell, and yet the trade winds blow consistently, unimpeded by land. Only a strip of low-lying limestone, coral, and coconut palms usually separates the lagoon from the open sea. This makes sailing a joy.
The boat gathers way like a racehorse and speeds across the water, the sails drawing steady and the hull cutting cleanly through the water. Bucking swells and sliding down big seas out in the open ocean is an experience in itself, of course, one I’m glad I’ve experienced, and which is necessary for sailing to places like these Tuamotu atolls. But for the pure joy of sailing… well, you simply can’t beat flat, smooth water and good wind.
Here, I captured Celeste from the dinghy, in the warm light of late afternoon, as we were on our way to our anchorage for the night, in one of these perfect atolls, abounding with coral, colorful fish, rays and sharks, and with seabirds and a few songbirds winging overhead.
If you’d like to read the whole article about sailing and diving in the Tuamotu, Pacific Yachting recently posted this cover feature on their website here. Hope you enjoy!
Gone Floatabout 
Great to read your article after a few years of silence.
Thank you! Yes I haven’t been very active on the blog recently. Been super busy with flying! Hoping to write a little about aviation on here at some point.
Sounds exciting – a new challenge!
Definitely! It’s wonderful!
As usual, excellent photography and writing. Thanks for making this article accessible to us your followers.
Happy Thanksgiving and hoping you two enjoy a Joyous Holiday Season.
Rob Robison
Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
We totally AGREE – “But for the pure joy of sailing … well, you simply can’t beat flat, smooth water and good wind”.
Thank you! It’s so true, isn’t it!?