South Seas Ocean Adventures
SOUTH SEAS OCEAN ADVENTURES 2026
Sail Dive Invitation / Overview
Dreaming of sailing to the fabled island nations of French Polynesia, but don’t have a boat and/or time for all the preparation to do so?
Here is an incredible instructional opportunity for a select few Ocean Adventures Students and Alumni to gain your ASA Offshore EXPERIENCE!
Itinerary First Season
January through April 2026
We sail Beautiful Banderas Bay Puerto Vallarta & Gold Coast of Mexico with all her beautiful Bays and Coves in preparation of crew & vessel for our South Pacific Ocean Passage that eagerly lies ahead.
May 1st 2026- Depart Puerto Vallarta
Bound for Nuku Hiva Island, Taiohae Bay Marquesas Archipelago departing by way of Puerto Vallarta (PVR)
Approximately 25 days at sea sailing just over 2800 n.m. onboard our 1979 Sparkman Stephens Catalina Tall Rig Sloop fully equipped for ocean passage making.
SAILING VESSEL
S/V Voila’ Sparkman Stephens Catalina 38’
Extra fuel and water mounted inboard on the port side.
Bow-mounted Lewmar anchor windlass with both deck and cockpit electric controls, with below-deck chain and rode storage.
Anchors:
CQR 26 lbs with 15’ chain and 150’ line
Delta Fast Set 44 lbs with 350’ High T 5/16” chain
Fortress Stern Anchor FX16 (stern mounted)
Sea drogue with stainless swivel and tow line.
S/V Voilà is roomy and spacious with 6’ 2” headroom; the Catalina 38 is a comfortable cruiser/racer.
Her interior boasts abundant teak paneling and cabinetry with upholstery in excellent condition throughout.
The 1979 Catalina 38, designed by Sparkman & Stephens, has a beam of 11’ 10”, a draft of 6’ 9” and a displacement of 15,900 lbs.
She features a fin keel, tiller steering and a spade rudder.
The boat has a sail area of 639 sq ft and a waterline length of 30’ 3”.
The onboard fuel capacity is 25 gallons, and the fresh water capacity is 35 gallons.
Tiller steering with Monitor Steering Vane and Tiller Master Simrad TP32 autopilot.
Sun bimini, dodger and cockpit cushions with personal adjustable seating.
Outside BBQ stern arch with mounted solar panels and crane for ease of outboard motor handling.
Two hard stand-up paddle boards mounted outboard on the starboard side.
May 25th 2026 - Arriving Marquesas Islands
The first landfall Taioha’e Bay Nuku Hiva Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia is absolutely stunning.
There is a small airport on the island with several departures to Tahiti (PPT) per week.
There are several nice accommodations on the island and you may want to spend more time hiking, diving and immersing yourself in the culture before flying to Tahiti and outbound. Our boat and crew will spend no more than one week in Taioha’e Bay Nuku Hiva.
June 2026 - RANGIROA ATOLL TUAMOTUS
The other option is to continue sailing another 350 N.M. on to Rangiroa, the largest atoll in the Tuamotus Atolls French Polynesia. Here too is a small, well run airport (RGI), for those who wish to disembark and fly to Tahiti and outbound. After diving the famous southern pass with the professional Dive Team at TOPDIVE RANGIROA of course!
June 2026 - Touamotu Atolls Rangiroa Base
Whether arriving at Rangiroa airport code (RGI) or onboard S/V Voila’ after 350 n.m. sail from Nuku Hiva Marquesas Islands or flying in from Papeete Tahiti (PPT), you will want to consider spending some time (if not a lifetime) in this water paradise sailing and diving here with us. There is shore based accommodations for every budget. The most luxurious accommodations being the over the water bungalows at the Kia Ora Hotel, with boats from all around the world anchored out front and TOPDIVE RANGIROA close by, surrounded by great snorkeling everywhere!
S/V Voila’ will also be available for ASA Sailing Certifications and PADI Intro to Freediving and live aboard opportunities June 2026. Stay on this incredible atoll so far away from our daily lives, but very close to many more idyllic, tranquil atolls just outside the pass including but not limited to Apataki Max Draft 6’ airport code (APK) Tikehau, Fakarava stores & Topdive airport code (FAV), Ahe old pearl farm exploring and Toau Atoll to visit Gaston & Veronique for some great Ukulele playing & singing. Manihi Atoll.
July 2026 - RAIATEA/TAHA’A
We depart Rangiroa bound for our home base of Taha’a /Raiatea Islands for the Heiva i Tahiti all Islands Dance Festival and The National Outrigger Canoe Racing Championship not to be missed! (Links) Airport code (RFP.)
July, August, September 2026
We will offer private ASA Sailing & PADI Freediving Certification Courses along with visiting local Vanilla Plantations, Pearl Farms & the local rum distillery on Taha’a. What more could you ask for other than fresh fish & coconuts? Airport code (RFP)
January February March 2027 - Raiatea/Taha’a Society Islands
ASA Sailing & PADI Freediving Courses.