[password] 13WWAAqq
[Position] 22 3251S 166 3170E
[Status] Wildlife

New Caledonia has mostly SE trade winds around 15-35kn in lagoon - 250 days per year. Short waves that develop in lagoon do not help when sailing against wind.

To weather last batch of trades we sailed northwest with the wind and explore coral islands.

We have seen large number of sea turtles, few dugongs, inquisitive sharks,manly black tip, lots of large fish, sea snakes, sea eagles and some other strange birds that seem unique to NC.

We also trying to use sail when possible so that we fill tanks only once before leaving NC, meaning we last on one tank for 6 months or so.

We see surprisingly large number of Australians cruising NC. I think main attraction is easy access to coral reef and numerous coral islands. Also coral quality is excellent. And of course looots of fish, although one has to be careful due to ciguatura. Local advice - do not eat fish larger than 1 metre.

We hope this batch of trade winds is ending and turned the other direction practising upwind sailing to visit islands we liked most so far and find some new ones.

Sent from Iridium Mail & Web.

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