12 | Sailing to Fatu Hiva, the Most Beautiful Island in the World

Our wildest cruising dreams have been realized as we sail our wooden Ingrid Ketch to the Bay of Virgins in Fatu Hiva. This spectacular island has to be one of the most beautiful in the entire world. Far off the beaten path, the people of Fatu Hiva live peaceful lives on their garden island. We were welcomed into thier homes, enjoying the local cuisine and even helping to harvest fruit from a jungle farm. We had gentle sailing between islands, vising Tahuata, the smallest inhabited island of the Marquesas, before ending up at Atuona to re-provision. With stunningly beautiful anchorages seperated by short day sails, generous local people, and unspoiled sea life, this will certainly be one of our favorite cruising desitnations anywhere.

Julia is a traditionally built wooden boat. Built in 1960 to Atkin's Ingrid design, she is planked in fir and cedar over oak frames. Our dinghy is skin-on-frame and was designed by Dave Gentry.

All music courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Featured artists:
End of an Era by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen
For What Is Right by Trevor Kowalski
Shipwrecked by At The End of Times, Nothing
Omnia by Helmut
Less Than Endless by At The End of Times, Nothing
Not Blue (Instrumental Version) by Kylie Dailey
Won’t You Stay (Instrumental Version) by The Eastern Plain

[Larrye]

Watching this makes you realize what's important in life.

[toddwoods]

These videos remind me that there are places like this left in the world, free of all the unwelcome and unnecessary intrusions into our everyday lives. Thankyou for sharing.

[imdawolfman]

I'm in love again, I thought I was too jaded to ever feel this again.

You, please, carry my spirit. Wherever you go.

[Davidcallard]

I must thank you for bringing those beautiful islands to my living room where I sit in my wheelchair ♿️ day after day. Your video provided me with a most welcome interlude.
BTW, I love your quiet gentle style of video making -.it comes across as genuine and unaffected and a pleasure to watch. May
fair winds and calm seas smooth your way!

[Trajectionable]

I have to say, this is some of the very best sailing film online. It's downright emotional at times. And Julia is a heroic ship!

[captainandthelady]

One of the best sailing videos I've seen in a long time. Thankyou for posting.

[sebsebleu]

This video reminds me a lot of memories when I was there in the late 90s, fortunately this little gem island still untouched and peaceful, thanks for sharing your Polynesian adventure

[maurenemorgan]

My partner and I sailed "Finisterre IV" to the Marquesas in 1983 (en route around the world). Back then, we were the only yacht sailing in the islands for several weeks. It was still the old South Pacific; a totally different world from what sailing videos show now. Your videos bring back visual memories of this incredible place that had become hazy with age. Thank you!

[tlw]

Not a sailor of the oceans but of the skies for 47 years and I must say how impressed I am with your videography. Fair winds and following seas folks.

[bowmanlegacies]

Several times I had a lump in my throat. Not sure why. Just the freedom, and the ease by which the two of you carry yourselves in places foreign. Not certain if ever life will afford me such an adventure, but surely, I thank you for sharing yours with all of us. God speed and fair winds.

[steveadams]

You seem to have a perfect sense for the right amount of dialogue, quiet time for us to visualize what is in your videos, and supplement it with some outstanding music! Not only that but you have longer videos which allows your viewers time to really settle in and become part of the video itself. So many others have 5 or 10 minute videos and by the time you get ready to really get into it...it's over. Keep those videos 20 minutes or longer. Truly an outstanding job, thank you.

[martindellagiacoma]

You manage to transport me to a place that only exists in my mind. Thank you.

[martinjalbert]

Thanks for sharing your views and admiration for both nature and people you encounter.

[patrickhopkins]

I never get tired of seeing Julia in her element. Thanks for another great episode!

[davidohman]

I learned to sail about 40 years ago out of Dana Point Harbor in South Orange County, Calif. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. On one outing, we were becalmed about 15 miles from the harbor. Then, while sitting at the helm hoping for some wind, a California grey whale passed within 40ft from the transom. It's hard to imagine their size until you get that close. I'm nearly 80 years old now and living in on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, so I've not sailed in many years. But I have the memories. Thank you for reminding me of those wonderful memories.

[telamenais]

this video deserves more than 1 million views

[Anmeteor]

Absolutely the very best sailing videos anywhere. Thank you both so much for creating and sharing such great adventure and glorious art.

[fredericl]

Thank you really much to bring us with you on these magnificent islands. What a place on earth!

[stevejensen]

Without a doubt, the best presentation of this paradise on YT. Like you all, Fatu Hiva was my vision quest since I was a child and saw a picture of a young native boy on the bow of a dugout looking back at the camera with the incredible backdrop of the dissected volcanic cliffs of Fatu Hiva behind him. Crewing a sailboat for a wealthy benefactor, that quest came true for me decades ago now and I never have nor ever will forget the utterly soul-stirring first vision of Hanavave and the island paradise beyond. There is no other place like it on Earth! Thank you so much for doing it justice!!! Steve/Aberdeen, WA

[dianegenx]

That little doggie sitting on the wall, living his best life 🥰