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GPS: 18 41.854S 173 59.886W

Run: 1.8nm (3.3km)

After sailing to the outer islands and Tony trawling for fish most of the day (practising), we ventured to the Eastern bays of Vava’u maneuvering our way through the coral reefs. Andrew climbed the mast for better view to guide us through whilst Sue took the helm. Tony and Stella also did lookout. Maneuvering through the reef we discovered the channel markers were no longer there and sand banks had appeared which didn’t show on the charts. Vital to have lookouts in these areas.

Spent two days looking around the islands in the Eastern bay area. Nice beaches but not great snorkelling and at one of them an over abundance of sea slugs (sea cucumbers) which Sue and Stella found most disgusting and it made it hard to walk to the beach. As the weather is predicted to get high winds from the east we decided to leave the eastern bays and seek shelter at Lisa beach.

As the ocean swell has increased we chose to take a different route from the eastern bays. Once again the channel markers were non existent and sand bars not charted. Everyone was holding their breath as the depth sounder counted down from 10 metres to below 1 metre under the boat. With the winds getting up it made it interesting moving between the bommies, passing one as close as 2 metres off the port side. Upon anchoring at Lisa beach Sue required a stiff drink!

Tonight we were treated to an amazing sunset followed by as Tony put it “one of the best meals in this trip” – mini spring rolls and a fantastic fried rice dish from Stella that had us all going back for seconds!

Night from us all