Here are some excerpts from the blog of Jackamy:

Strung like white sand jewels across the Pacific, the Tuamotus are a world apart. The 77 atolls, scattered like confetti on an ocean of ink, stretch 1500km northwest to southeast and 500km east to west. The closest islands are about 300km from Tahiti. Each coral atoll barely rises more than 6 feet above sea level and may be difficult to see from more than a mile or so offshore.

 

The Tuamotus have always been a dangerous place for navigators and teh long remained in the shadow of the Society Islands. That has changed thanks to pearl cultivation, which has become acentral pillar of the Polynesian economy. The growth of pearl cultivation has reversed the outward migration of the population, which has grown from 11,793 to 15,846 people since 1983. There are 45 inhabited islands, ranging from those with a mere handful of occupants to Rangiroa, with a total population of 3016.

General advice is to navigate only between the 10.00 hours and 16.00 hours when the sun is high and isolated coral heads may be easily seen, especially if approaching with the sun behind and someone keeping a good lookout from the cross trees or bows. Amy has been nominated to go up the mast and I will be at the bow but can either of us be trusted! The atolls may be considered similar to a saucer with the rim being the emerging reefs, or 'motus' as the are called in Polynesian. The necklace of coral making up this 'rim' is in places separated by deep 'passes' through which the tide rushes back and forth and through which the peace and calm of the inner lagoon may be reached.

Jackamy went to Manihi for a few nights.  What a visit!

"At 09.30 we were picked up by Fernando to be taken on what was merely described as a pearl farm visit in the lagoon. Non of us expected quite what he had planned for us! Just as we'd left the boats he asked if we had our snorkel and masks to which we replied "No" as we weren't expecting to need them as we believed we were purely visiting a pearl farm. He then told us that we could each have one pearl for free but if we wanted it we had to dive down and get it. Now this sounds quite simple but in actual fact the osyters are attached to a rope which is 4 metres plus under the water and he wanted us to swim down with just a snorkel and mask and pick one!

I'd go as far as to say that today has probably been the highlight of the trip, the experience has been incredible and it far exceeded our expectations. Fernando, his family and his way of life are inspiring and we should all learn from people like him. Simply diving down and choosing your own pearl is a once in a lifetime experience and something that non of us will ever forget!"

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