Join us aboard Sailing Catalpa as we continue our voyage through the remote Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia! In this episode, we navigate tricky passes, anchor among coral bombies, provision on an isolated atoll, and attempt to run a notoriously fast 12-knot tidal pass to chase the surf. We arrive at Rangiroa, the largest atoll in the Tuamotus, welcomed by wild dolphins at the pass. After finding a safe spot to drop anchor and float our chain over coral heads, we set out on a mission to hunt for fresh provisions and fuel. Finding groceries while living on a sailboat isn't always straightforward—watch along as we explore the local stores, dodge squalls, and break down what provisioning really costs in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Then, the adventure steps up a notch. We pull anchor in gusty winds and race towards Tikehau to catch a dying swell. Navigating atoll passes on an outgoing current is generally considered a massive gamble—with water rushing out at up to 12 knots, can Catalpa power through? If you love sailboat travel, blue water cruising, off-grid boat life, and tropical adventures, make sure to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to follow the journey! 02:00 - Anchoring Among Dangerous Coral Bombies 03:07 - Grocery Shopping & Provisioning on a Remote Atoll 05:45 - Snorkeling & an Unexpected Moray Eel Encounter 07:58 - Testing Our Waterproof HoverAir Drone Get ready for the HOVERAir Halloween Sale, running from October 23 to November 2! Mark your calendar and get ready to save up to 15% off. Plus, use my link https://hoverair.sjv.io/GbBx1E to get a FREE wetsuit! Just add it to your cart and use code AQK8M4ZX731 at checkout. Limited time only! 09:11 - Dodging Storms on the Hunt for Food & Fuel 12:13 - The Real Cost of Groceries in French Polynesia 13:25 - Tiputa Pass & Dolphins Surfing the Waves 14:48 - Setting Sail for Tikehau in 20+ Knot Winds 17:35 - Trolling for Fish & Offshore Sailing Performance 20:00 - Attempting the 12-Knot Tidal Pass at Tikehau 21:07 - Gori Prop Performance & Boat Speed Review 23:45 - Finding Surf Waves in the Final Atoll Subscribe @SailingCatalpa Become a Patron https://www.patreon.com/sailingcatalpa To DONATE just because your a bloody LEGEND https://www.paypal.me/sailingcatalpa For more on our family and travels you can check out our website http://www.sailingcatalpa.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa https://www.instagram.com/belllarice https://www.instagram.com/artoftaj

Surfing remote atolls looks like paradise from the outside—but the reality of hunting waves in the Tuamotus is wild, unpredictable, and rarely easy. After navigating a narrow, churning pass into a remote atoll in French Polynesia, we found ourselves sitting out howling 40-knot winds and heavy 3.5m swells. With no safe anchorage anywhere near the break, scoring empty waves meant brutal 5-nautical-mile dinghy runs across open chop, braving reef cuts, burning through our final drops of fuel, and watching the swell peak and vanish. From catching baitfish by hand to waiting out the tide and making the overnight passage toward Rangiroa, this is what remote cruising and wave-hunting really looks like. In this episode: 00:00 - Entering a Narrow Atoll Pass 01:56 - Scouting Waves & Safe Anchorage 03:00 - Waiting for the Swell & Tide 04:06 - Scoring Empty Reef Waves 06:16 - Reef Cuts & Tropical First Aid 08:00 - Surviving 40-Knot Winds & 5-Mile Dinghy Missions 09:16 - Passage Plans to Rangiroa & Fuel Shortage 11:06 - Snorkeling the Inner Reef 12:00 - Running on Empty (Dinghy Fuel) 13:18 - Catching Baitfish by Hand 13:46 - Last Surf Session at the Pass 15:05 - Overnight Passage to Rangiroa 16:29 - Navigating the Tuamotu Archipelago 18:16 - Arriving at the Next Atoll To DONATE just because your a bloody LEGEND https://www.paypal.me/sailingcatalpa For more on our family and travels you can check out our website http://www.sailingcatalpa.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa https://www.instagram.com/belllarice https://www.instagram.com/artoftaj

We’ve never experienced anything quite like this! In this episode, we sail to Fakarava in the Tuamotu archipelago—world-famous for its incredible marine life and the legendary “Wall of Sharks.” Join us as we free dive through the crystal-clear waters of the South Pass surrounded by hundreds of sharks, scout for surf along remote coral reefs, explore the atoll by bike, and test out our off-grid solar setup in French Polynesia. If you love ocean adventures, remote atoll exploration, and living full-time aboard a sailboat, be sure to subscribe to follow our journey across the Pacific! ⏱️ In This Episode: 00:00 – Sailing into Fakarava (Tuamotus, French Polynesia) 01:30 – Free Diving the Famous Wall of Sharks 04:08 – Scouting Remote Reef Surf at the South Pass 06:05 – Beach Combing & Island Life 09:28 – Diving with 300+ Reef Sharks 11:40 – Cruising to Fakarava North & Superyacht Spotting 12:05 – Provisioning & Island Life in the Tuamotus 13:07 – Biking Around Fakarava Atoll 17:39 – Off-Grid Living: 2,400W Solar Panel Efficiency Update 19:20 – Setting Sail for the Next Atoll To try the protein bars we are snacking on go to https://lineageprovisions.com/CATALPA2 or use the code CATALPA2 🌴 About Sailing Catalpa Over a decade ago, we bought a $15,000 concrete sailboat with no experience, two young kids, and a dream to explore the world. Two boats and thousands of nautical miles later, we’re still out here living our dream off-grid on the water. Follow Along & Support Our Journey: 🔔 Subscribe to Sailing Catalpa: https://www.youtube.com/@SailingCatalpa ⛵️ Support our adventures on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/sailingcatalpa 📸 Follow daily updates on our social channels: https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa https://www.instagram.com/belllarice https://www.instagram.com/artoftaj

This episode we are in a atoll sitting out some strong winds and big swell we hear whales and swim in the clearest water we may have ever seen. Cheers everyone for watching!! Subscribe @SailingCatalpa Become a Patron https://www.patreon.com/sailingcatalpa To DONATE just because your a bloody LEGEND https://www.paypal.me/sailingcatalpa For more on our family and travels you can check out our website http://www.sailingcatalpa.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa https://www.instagram.com/belllarice https://www.instagram.com/artoftaj

This video we sail to the biggest archipelago in the world the Tuamotus. Cheers everyone for watching!! Subscribe @SailingCatalpa Become a Patron https://www.patreon.com/sailingcatalpa To DONATE just because your a bloody LEGEND https://www.paypal.me/sailingcatalpa For more on our family and travels you can check out our website http://www.sailingcatalpa.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa https://www.instagram.com/belllarice https://www.instagram.com/artoftaj

This episode we are in the Marquesas in French Polynesia we swim with mantas and deliver some things to a village on a very remote island. Cheers everyone for watching!! Subscribe @SailingCatalpa For 20% off Florence Marine gear that the boys live in visit https://www.florencemarinex.com/pages/sailing-catalpa To contribute to our productions https://www.paypal.me/sailingcatalpa For more on our family and travels you can check out our website http://www.sailingcatalpa.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa https://www.instagram.com/belllarice https://www.instagram.com/artoftaj

This episode we arrive at one of the most isolated places on the planet and the only way to get here is by boat. we show you around and you can see for yourself why sailors call this place paradise. Cheers everyone for watching!! Subscribe @SailingCatalpa Become a Patron https://www.patreon.com/sailingcatalpa To support our content with a donation https://www.paypal.me/sailingcatalpa For more on our family and travels you can check out our website http://www.sailingcatalpa.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa https://www.instagram.com/belllarice https://www.instagram.com/artoftaj

This is our whole pacific crossing in one video it's a long one so get comfy and join us as we sail across the biggest ocean on earth. Cheers everyone for watching!! Subscribe @SailingCatalpa Become a Patron https://www.patreon.com/sailingcatalpa For a discount on Mudwtr www.mudwtr.com/catalpamud or use Discount code CATALPAMUD To DONATE just because your a bloody LEGEND https://www.paypal.me/sailingcatalpa For more on our family and travels you can check out our website http://www.sailingcatalpa.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa https://www.instagram.com/belllarice https://www.instagram.com/artoftaj

Part 5 of our Pacific Crossing we share our final days and thoughts about sailing for nearly a month at sea Cheers everyone for watching!! Subscribe @SailingCatalpa Become a Patron https://www.patreon.com/sailingcatalpa For a discount on Mudwtr www.mudwtr.com/catalpamud or use Discount code CATALPAMUD For a discount on Sky & Sol go to https://lcshop.co/WoM1Zx or use the code SAILINGCATALPA For 20% off Florence Marine gear that the boys live in visit https://www.florencemarinex.com/pages/sailing-catalpa The hand line we have is from Lances Lures https://www.lancelures.com/sailboatfishing To contribute to our production https://www.paypal.me/sailingcatalpa For more on our family and travels you can check out our website http://www.sailingcatalpa.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa https://www.instagram.com/belllarice https://www.instagram.com/artoftaj

Part 4 of sailing across the Pacific Ocean from Panama to French Polynesia Cheers everyone for watching!! Subscribe @SailingCatalpa Become a Patron https://www.patreon.com/sailingcatalpa For a discount on Mudwtr www.mudwtr.com/catalpamud or use Discount code CATALPAMUD For a discount on Sky & Sol go to https://lcshop.co/WoM1Zx or use the code SAILINGCATALPA For 20% off Florence Marine gear that the boys live in visit https://www.florencemarinex.com/pages/sailing-catalpa The hand line we have is from Lances Lures https://www.lancelures.com/sailboatfishing To contribute to our production https://www.paypal.me/sailingcatalpa For more on our family and travels you can check out our website http://www.sailingcatalpa.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa https://www.instagram.com/belllarice https://www.instagram.com/artoftaj

Part 3 of sailing across the Pacific Ocean Cheers everyone for watching!! Subscribe @SailingCatalpa Become a Patron https://www.patreon.com/sailingcatalpa For a discount on Mudwtr www.mudwtr.com/catalpamud or use Discount code CATALPAMUD For a discount on Sky & Sol go to https://lcshop.co/WoM1Zx or use the code SAILINGCATALPA For 20% off Florence Marine gear that the boys live in visit https://www.florencemarinex.com/pages/sailing-catalpa To contribute to our production https://www.paypal.me/sailingcatalpa For more on our family and travels you can check out our website http://www.sailingcatalpa.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa https://www.instagram.com/belllarice https://www.instagram.com/artoftaj

Cheers everyone for watching!! Subscribe @SailingCatalpa Become a Patron https://www.patreon.com/sailingcatalpa For a discount on Mudwtr www.mudwtr.com/catalpamud or use Discount code CATALPAMUD For a discount with Sky & Sol https://lcshop.co/WoM1Zx or use the code SAILINGCATALPA To contribute to the creation of theses videos https://www.paypal.me/sailingcatalpa For more on our family and travels you can check out our website http://www.sailingcatalpa.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa https://www.instagram.com/belllarice https://www.instagram.com/artoftaj

Our 500th episode and the start of our Pacific crossing from Panama to French Polynesia Cheers everyone for watching!! Subscribe @SailingCatalpa Become a Patron https://www.patreon.com/sailingcatalpa For a discount on Mud/Wtr www.mudwtr.com/catalpamud or use Discount code CATALPAMUD To contribute to the creation of these videos without being a Patron https://www.paypal.me/sailingcatalpa For more on our family and travels you can check out our website http://www.sailingcatalpa.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa https://www.instagram.com/belllarice https://www.instagram.com/artoftaj

Things we have to keep us safe while we sail 4000nn across the Pacific Ocean. 🛠️ GEAR from West Marine Liferaft - https://westmarine.sjv.io/dy5zz2 Life sling - https://westmarine.sjv.io/jRJLdZ Life Jackets - https://westmarine.sjv.io/KByNbe Tethering lines - https://westmarine.sjv.io/2RVNmA AIS unit and Radio Combo –https://westmarine.sjv.io/NG4rjP VHF radio - https://westmarine.sjv.io/X4OVVG Link for West Marine https://westmarine.sjv.io/c/5947521/3373502/

This episode we share some of the safety upgrades we made before we set sail across the Pacific Ocean. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro — why AIS & VHF matter [00:42] Life Raft [01:02] Life jackets [02:18] Life Sling [03.25] Our Grab bag [06:18] Communications on the ocean 🛠️ GEAR from West Marine Liferaft - https://westmarine.sjv.io/dy5zz2 Life sling - https://westmarine.sjv.io/jRJLdZ Life Jackets - https://westmarine.sjv.io/KByNbe Tethering lines - https://westmarine.sjv.io/2RVNmA Link for West Marine https://westmarine.sjv.io/c/5947521/3373502/ ❤️ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sailingcatalpa 📲 FOLLOW ALONG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Website: https://www.sailingcatalpa.com

This video we finally sail away from Panama City!! If you have joined the crew and never recieved an email check your spam folder some peoples ended up in there. ❤️ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sailingcatalpa 📲 FOLLOW ALONG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Tiktok: https://www.toktok.com/sailingcatalpa

This video we continue the preparations for our pacific crossing getting ready has been time consuming and costly but its going to be worth it!!!. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro [02:40] fixing our boom vang [05:43] building a dinghy cradle [07:44] Fixing a leaking hatch [10.18] New freezer onboard from Bouge RV [11.48] installing a new lithium battery from Renogy [13.52] thoughts on install ❤️ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sailingcatalpa 📲 FOLLOW ALONG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailingcatalpa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sailingcatalpa Tiktok: https://www.toktok.com/sailingcatalpa Website: https://www.sailingcatalpa.com