The locals grab one when needed, and we were given wooden saddles and spent the day crossing this island's mountains with a stop at a horticultural institution. On our return voyage to Tahiti, we spend two full days at sea before reaching one of the world's largest atolls, Rangiroa, where we take the whale boats to a picnic on a golden beach and swim and snorkel. This 16 mile wide lagoon is one of the most spectacular underwater environments on earth. The coral is stunning, and the waters are filled with clouds of tropical fish. You can also take a glass-bottom boat to watch sharks feeding.
Atolls are coral islands consisting of a reef surrounding a lagoon.
It would be difficult for even as wide-eyed an enthusiast as myself to exaggerate the joys of this exotic voyage. The local guides aboard were brilliant and insightful. The crew made us feel like friends and neighbors, and the food was wonderful. They were all superb. Oh, I forgot to mention.