Marsden Cove. Working through the boat jobs.

Arrived at Marsden Cove. AWOB. Tracker: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Whistler

Motor-sailing. Winds backed to N overnight but have veered to the ENE this am. 150m to go. ETA Marsden Cove Tomorrow (Friday) daybreak. AWOB. Tracker: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Whistler

Beautiful morning. Motor-sailing. AWOB. Tracker: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Whistler

Motor-sailing. Beautiful morning. Clear skies. Last night we had a mango coloured half moon. AWOB. Tracker: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Whistler

177 miles in 24 hours. 620 miles to go to Marsden. Sea conditions have improved some overnight. Still lots of wind. AWOB.

185 miles in past 24 hours. About 800 miles to go to Marsden Cove, as the crow flies, though we will likely have to continue SSW for another day waiting for the winds to back. Focus yesterday was to miss Ceva-I-Ra (Conway Reef). It took some close-hauled sailing to pass east of it but we managed to leave a 4 to 5 mile margin. We had a strong current, set drift of 2 knots, pushing us west toward it. Supposed to be a great place to fish but it was dark and certainly too rough. Hard enough in these seas just to move around the boat to get to do simple tasks. Sometimes my foot was airborne when I thought it would find a step. Fortunately, Whistler is well designed with plenty of handholds. Though the seas are not quite as angry this morning, they are still confused and we take one over the coach roof now and then. Nice to have Monty?s tasty passage meals in the fridge. AWOB. Tracker: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Whistler

Sailing to Marsden Cove. Yesterday made it out the pass fine with a helping current. Fairly rough with 2.5 to 3m waves and 20-25 knot winds yesterday through the afternoon and evening. It calmed down to 15-20knots overnight but picked up again before daybreak. Squall just east of us. Sea state worsened this am. All is well on board. Tracker link: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Whistler

We made it out the Navula pass yesterday around 9am, had a helping current. Winds picked up through the day to 25 knots and seas were rough, 2.5m, and confused. Winds dropped overnight to 15-20. Before dawn, a squall arrived, and the winds picked up. Seas are worse this morning. Glad we have seasick pills. Hope these conditions subside a bit soon. AWOB. Tracker: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Whistler

Sailing to Marsden Cove, NZ. Rough and windy yesterday afternoon and evening, similar to this am. Winds dropped to 15-20 knots overnight but picked up again before daybreak with a squall. Some higher gusts to 30 knots. Sea state a bit worse this am. Saw some dolphins yesterday. Taking seasick pills, so far so good. AWOB. https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Whistler

Just left Port Denarau for Marsden Cove. For tracker:


https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Whistler.  />

or go to svwhistler.com and click on See Whistler in the Map. 

Heading to Port Denarau to get ready to depart for NZ this week.

Nananu-I-Cake: Good kiting conditions. Hoping we see a good window open up to NZ soon.

Back at Nananu-I-Cake, waiting for a window to NZ.

Port Denarau. May head out to Musket Cove later.

For our video on Kiting in Wallis, see link below.

https://vimeo.com/366683100

Just left Nananu-I-Thake for Port Denarau. Hard to leave. Lucked out with the winds for kiting (kited 25 of 30 days). We both made good progress with our kiting.  Had another good session yesterday, both kiting at the same time with no others around. Working our way around to get ready for the next passage window, should it materialize. Hoping pumice has finally moved on. Lots still around in the past few days. 

Nananu-I-Thake: Waiting here till we see a possible passage window to NZ. More kiting weather in the forecast. Yesterday, winds were light but we both got in some kiting.

Nananu-I-Thake. Another chore day yesterday. Hoping winds pick up enough to kite this afternoon. Waiting here for a weather window to NZ. 

Nananu-I-Thake: Mostly clear today with some towering cumulous clouds to the NE. Yesterday was calm, a good chore day.

Nananu-I-Thake:: Rain overnight and a light shower this am. Monty got out kiting for a short early morning session yesterday, his 21st day in a row.

Nananu-I-Thake. For a video on the pumice arriving in our anchorage from Tongan eruption, go to https://vimeo.com/364565518.

Nananu-I-Thake: We went on a downwinder with Warren from Safari Lodge. Streams of pumice floating around the area. It was weird kiting through it yesterday. Avoiding the big chunks was like skiing through trees (glades). One guy delaminated his board when he hit a large chunk. Winds picked up to 20 Knots+ yesterday afternoon.

Nananu-I-Thake: Winds picked up through the day yesterday. Got out for some good kite sessions. Winds looking a bit light this morning.

Nananu-I-Thake: Lighter winds yesterday but both of us got our kiting. Looks like more wind today. AWOB.

Nananu-I-Thake: Clearer skies with a little cirrus. Calmer this am. Good kiting conditions yesterday.

Nananu-I-Thake: Windy (20-25 Kt) and gusty yesterday. Calmed down some this morning but we are somewhat protected in the anchorage. Hopefully a better kiting day ahead.

Chilly morning in Nananu-I-Thake. Winds were 20-25 knots yesterday, gusted up to 35 knots. Too inconsistent and choppy for good kiting.

Nananu-I-Thake: Light showers overnight. Nice rainbow this am. Wind picks up in the afternoons here. Enjoying good kiting conditions.

Nananu-I-Thake: Excellent kiting conditions. Blog on Wallis holiday celebrations available at: https://www.svwhistler.com/wallis-territory-day-celebrations/

Nananu-I-Thake. Windy!

Back at Nananu-I-Thake. Kiting weather in the forecast.  Blog on our Wallis Island Tour: https://www.svwhistler.com/wallis-island-tour/

Moored in Port Denarau. High overcast.

Had a good day of kiting with Citrus Tart yesterday. Kited 8 of 10 days. Just left Nananu-I-Cake for Port Denarau.

Had a good day of kiting yesterday. One more day of kiting here and then we will head to Port Denarau. Recent blogs up on Wallis: https://www.svwhistler.com/arrival-at-wallis/

https://www.svwhistler.com/spotted-eagle-rays-in-wallis/

Winds switched from west to SE yesterday in a flash. Monty got out on the 14 for a short session. Chilly overnight with the southerly winds. Going to Rakiraki with Citrus Tart today for some fresh veg. Should get out for some more kiting today. A few more days here.

A trough has just hit us, with winds swinging around from north to west and up to 45 knots. Heavy rain. Anchor watch is on and lots of chain out. Daylight now which is good. Citrus Tart is anchored here with us.

Anchored at Nananu-I-Thake, kiting last few days. Hope to eek out one more day and then think about heading for some good shelter from the low heading toward Fiji.

Anchored off Nananu-I-Thake. Squalls rolling through.

sailing to Makogai. Taking Save-A-Tack pass across Namena. AWOB.

Windy this morning, even here in the Nakema Creek, which is usually quite sheltered. Glad to be on a mooring and not out bashing in the open seas. Getting ready to leave for Nananu-I-Thake, but will wait till tomorrow when the winds are supposed to drop a bit. This week's market finds: Pineapple and passionfruit. Wallis had neither. Met up with Curly and bought a few more lures. Hope to start moving south tomorrow so we can be settled by Thursday evening, as winds may pick up again on Friday.

Moored in Savusavu. Arrived Friday late evening. Checked in Saturday morning, very efficient but expensive OT. Picked up some passion fruit (one of our favourites) at the market and bought cheap internet data, $25FJD (~$13USD) for 30GB. By comparison, in Wallis, 3GB plus a SIM card was $100USD. Gotta love Fiji Digicel! Met some familiar faces at the Coprashed. Dinner on board, rain, wind and cooler weather had us dining inside our cabin for first time since Tonga. The drop in temperature is requiring an adjustment to our wardrobe. 

Motor-sailed yesterday. Maxing speed to beat strong southerly winds expected Saturday. As we turned west last night, winds were from behind so we had to drop the main and motor. Beautiful clear night and day, with only a brief sprinkle. A splendid mahi-mahi decided to join us on board for breakfast! AWOB.

Motored in light winds since departing Wallis. Some showers. Amazing towering cumulonimbus clouds! Felt the drop in temperature overnight, down to 26. Ahhhh! Had to put on a long sleeve shirt for last night?s watch. Haven?t done that since leaving Tonga! Had a favourable current (+1Kt) yesterday afternoon and overnight but it was against us for awhile this am. It is favourable again but not quite as strong. Covered 120 miles since leaving yesterday afternoon. Winds have been variable this morning but have picked up so we raised a genoa and now are motor-sailing. Beautiful day now. Fishing line is out! Needless to say, AWOB.

Motoring in light winds since departing Wallis. Frequent showers. Feel the drop in temperature already. Ahhhh! Had a favourable current overnight but it has now switched, and is slowing us down. Covered 100 miles since leaving yesterday afternoon. Winds just picking up to 10-13 knots, but may just be from this squall. If it persists we will raise a sail. All is well on board.

Moored off Nukuhifala, near the reef and our kitesurfing island. Wonderful calm night with the stars out in force. Leaving for Fiji today.  More coming in blogs to follow. 

Same anchorage in Wallis.

Blog on Foa Island, Tonga, posted at


https://www.svwhistler.com/foa-island-haapai-group/

Been getting some nice kiting weather for the past week. We have been enjoying kiting in the area to the east of our anchorage. It is a wet rough 20 minute dinghy ride to get there, but it is worthwhile. We launch from the sandy spit off little islet next to the barrier reef called Nukuhione. We are the only kiters there. Large area to kite both north and south of the islet. We can stand up in much of it at low to mid-tide. Even works at high tide. Monty is working on his jumps, toeside turns and jump transitions. I am working on my transitions and riding.

The air temperature is about 30-35 degrees during the day and the water often feels warmer than the air! Air quality and water clarity are as you would expect of an isolated island group with a small population and no industry.

No one lives on the islet but small groups of locals arrive daily in skiffs for gatherings and swimming. They rarely interact with us other than a smile and a "Bonjour".

Had a local movie crew ask permission to do a scene on Whistler. They had been trying for weeks to shoot this scene on a boat and it finally worked out. It was funny, they were shooting with an iPhone and a GoPro. They said it was part of a dream sequence so the quality was not important. Monty was asked to push the actor off the bow, so I guess his hands will be in the movie!

We are looking at the weather forecast and it looks like several more days of good kiting weather with the occasional shower. It would be a good time for a passage to Fiji too. The skipper wants to stay another week. We are eating well, baguettes, croissants, french brie, excellent ham, papayas, pamplemousse, starfruit, etc, so it is hard to leave Wallis!

Been able to get in some kiting sessions over the past several days.  On Monday, we had a fun reunion with Mahina Tiare III (www.mahina.com).  We had taken an expedition with John and Amanda from Tahiti to the Cook Islands in 2014. We got together for a visit and tour of Whistler and dinner on MT. They left for Savuavu, Fiji, yesterday as a trough rolled through.  Intense squally conditions with heavy rain and 30 knot winds. Their students will be getting some heavy weather sailing experience. We feel sorry for them hand-steering. Whistler collected more rain than she could use yesterday. Tanks are full! Hopeful to get in some kiting today, between squalls.

Monty got in a short kite session near an outer islet called Nukuhione. Just beautiful area for kiting but a 20 minute wet dinghy ride to get there with the waves. We saw a squall approaching and had left our hatches open, so we packed up and headed back to close the boat up. Turned out the squall missed the boat, but you can't take the chance here. Winds died with the squall anyway. Had some lightning over the mainland and a couple brief showers overnight. Sunny and windy this morning. Be a rough ride out to that kite spot. Will go and try again today.

A few light showers yesterday but none overnight. Sunny this morning. Went ashore to buy some steaks and pork chops yesterday morning but the SEM supermarket had not unpacked their meat from the supply ship as yet. It was too late to find croissants but we managed to find a higher quality baguette, but at 3 times the regular baguette price. Only one left on the shelf! We found local lettuce there for the first time. It disappeared quickly. Another trip in to town will be needed before it gets too rough in the dinghy with the winds picking up. Oh, the challenges of the cruising life!

Still at same anchorage. Had a beautiful day yesterday. NO RAIN! Went for a snorkel in Devil's Hole but didn't see any more spotted eagle rays. We erected the sunshade for the first time this season and sat on the trampoline in the shade with a light breeze flowing through. It was a nice change!

Anchored off Fugalei Island, a mile from Mata-Utu. Attended the festivities celebrating the anniversary of the signing of the agreement between Wallis and Futuna and France. Very colourful. Blog to follow soon.

We managed to make it to the little produce market early yesterday. Got some nice fruit, Strawberry papaya and pamplemousse! Heavy rain with numerous squalls much of the day. Never collected so much rainwater. Big supply ship just arrived. Windy but not raining now. Kiting conditions this am. Monty will be giving it a go. Sent from Margy?s iPad

Had tons of rain and wind with numerous squalls yesterday and tonight. Two French yachts have arrived. Monty got out for a short kitesurfing session between heavy squalls. Try again today.

Relocated to the anchorage closer to Mata-Utu off Fungalei and Luaniva. Did another snorkel in Devil's Hole but the viz was not good. Had a visit with Mark and crew, Jill, on Excel last evening. Heavy rain and wind overnight. Filling all our containers. More squalls on the horizon (east and south) this morning. Will filter and add to your water tanks today. Big celebrations on the weekend with the Miss Wallis contest and the anniversary of Wallis and Futuna joining France.

Anchored in Baie de Gahi. Got some showers yesterday. Can see more to the east now, but not raining here. Going for a walk to buy some croissants. We plan to move back to the anchorage off Tekaviki, Luaniva and Fugalei Islands today.

Anchored in Baie de Gahi, pronounced Nahi. It is pretty well protected but wind is still making it in here. We finally have wind for kiting but we are getting some heavy downpours. Not ideal. Forecast looks the same for several days, wind and rain. Hopefully we get some nice breaks.

Moved to anchorage off Ile Faioa. Been beautiful weather here, though warm and humid. A squall blew through last night. Photos of the other anchorage are attached. Snorkelling in Devil's Hole, not far from that anchorage, we saw a couple eagle rays. Yesterday we snorkelled along a wall and saw another pair of spotted eagle rays and a turtle.

Anchored off Fugalei Island. This anchorage looks very promising for kiting but could get rough in strong trades. Supply ship not here yet. Had numerous sun but showers yesterday and some powerful squalls last evening. Filled the buckets with rain water in no time. Very calm but appears to be clouding over this am. Hearing good reports on snorkelling from other yachts. Plan to check them out today. Waiting for a sunny day to rent a car, but not sure when that might happen! Sent from Margy?s iPad

Anchored off the eastern islands called Luaniva, Fugalei and a tiny motu called Tekaviki which appears to be a cemetary. We are kept busy opening and closing hatches when squalls pass over us. Water is 30 degrees so we will have to go snorkelling on the reef. Enjoying some French products like French cheese, pate, baguettes, fresh NZ beef and pork. Some foods are very expensive but not much worse than our home town. We plan to rent a car and tour the island when we have a nice day, but we might have to wait a while as showers frequently roll through. 

Anchored off Mata-Utu in Wallis. Had a few squalls through here yesterday. Will move to a more protected anchorage today. Supply ship coming in so we have to move away from the wharf anyway. Two NZ yachts here with us now.

Anchored off Mata-Utu in Wallis. Did our checkin with customs and les gendarmes. Hitch-hiked to get money from the only bank here and bought a few items, very expensive here. Nice here but warm and a bit of a bump off the wharf. Will move to another anchorage today. Imagine from NZ is the only other yacht here.

10NM to the entrance of Wallis Islands. Timing arrival at daybreak. All is well on board.

Nicer broad reaching conditions today with steady winds and calmer seas. Sailing with genoa now. Sun and some cumulus but no squalls today so far. Time to lather on some sun screen. 100 miles to Wallis. Planning arrive Monday am, July 15th. One fishing line is in the water. All is well on board.

All is well on board. Saw whales leaving Vava?u. Motored in light variable winds overnight. Occasional squalls and showers. Winds picked up and have been steady in the 25-30Kt range for the last 2 hours. Sailing with just a little bit of Genoa out. Sun is trying to break through. Too rough to fish just now. Lots of white caps. 250 miles to Wallis. Planning arrive Monday am, July 15th.

Sailed for a few hours but wind died. Motored in light winds from behind. Not pushing it as we don?t want to arrive in Wallis in the dark. 260NM to go. We were about to raise a foresail but saw squalls approaching. Gusting to 25-30Kt now. Waiting to get the trough so we can start sailing again. All is well on board.

All is well on board. Saw whales leaving Vava?u. Motored in light variable winds overnight. Occasional squalls and showers. Sailing with just a little bit of Genoa out. 250 miles to Wallis. Planning arrive Monday am, July 15th.

All is well on board. Saw whales leaving Vava?u. Motored in light variable winds overnight. Occasional squalls and showers. Sailing with just a little bit of Genoa out. 250 miles to Wallis. Planning arrive Monday am, July 15th.

Heavy rain overnight in Neiafu.

Took local couple (Canadians) out for a sail and a little fishing on the weekend. We had never caught a fish in Vavau so we didn't have much hope. We were motoring back and hooked a sailfish! Kind of appropriate our guests run a Fish & Chips business on the old floating Ark Gallery here in the harbour. They were keen to keep the fish, so with a big team effort we did manage to land the poor old beast Over 9ft from tip to tail! About 40kg of meat! Lots of excitement for us all!

New blog: https://www.svwhistler.com/uonukuhahaki-uonukuhihifo/

Gusty conditions overnight and this morning. Ferry arrived. Waiting for a good sailing window to go to Wallis.

Moored at Neiafu. Occasional squalls.

Light breeze in Neiafu.

Celebrating Canada Day today! Calm in the Neiafu Harbour. Occasional showers.


Blog on Telekitonga available at:


https://www.svwhistler.com/telekitonga-island/

Moored in Neiafu. Winds picking up, gusty and a few squally. Blog on Kelefesia available at:

https://www.svwhistler.com/kelefesia-island/

Moored in Neiafu. Harbour emptied out yesterday with the ICA Rally boats on their way.

Moored in Neiafu. Lots of familiar faces in town. ICA Rally boats gradually leaving for Vanua Balavu.

Anchored at Foa. Checking out and heading to Vava’u tomorrow. Counted 17 ICA boats in Port Maurelle this morning. See photo.

Anchored at Foa. Getting in some kiting.

Anchored at Foa. Winds picking up. Kiting should finally start today.

Attaching photo of the World ARC rally boats in Neiafu. They are scheduled to leave tomorrow. On top of them, the 35 ICA Rally is all converging there, many are already there now. Good luck finding a place to drop the pick! This is a major reason why we are staying in the Ha’apais, besides, it is nice here! Saw a leopard shark again while snorkelling in the channel yesterday.

Anchored off Foa. Another trough appears to be just south of us.

With all this raining weather, I had time to post a blog on our passage to Tonga. https://www.svwhistler.com/passage-moments/

Anchored at Foa Island, near Matafonua Lodge. Another trough over us, and doing another swing around. See photo. Have had lots of lightning in the area, nothing close fortunately. Showers off and on. Rain with gust over 28 knots from WSW.  Again, this wind strength and direction was NOT FORECASTED.  On a leeshore like almost everyone else in the Ha'apais, but we were fortunate to be anchored here alone and have sufficient swing room. For our blog on South Minerva, please go to https://www.svwhistler.com/south-minerva-reef/.

Anchored by Haapai Beach Resort. Calm morning. Photos show the forecast and a screenshot of our anchor watch using Vesper Watchmate AIS. The swing around the anchor yesterday afternoon happened in about 90 minutes! Winds picked up to 30Kt+. Glad we had lots of swing room!

Anchored off Ha'apai Beach Resort. A little drizzle now and then. Rain expected later. Had a nice lunch at Mariners Cafe yesterday with crew from a couple other yachts.

Anchored off Foa Island, (Matafonua Lodge). Been enjoying last few days here. Did some paddle-boarding, snorkelling and had a few lunches at the lodge. Great to be back. Darren and Nina are very welcoming. Today looks like a kiting day. May have to move to a more protected anchorage for the low that is approaching tonight. Photo of sunset on Saturday evening.

Anchored off Ha'apai Beach Resort near Pangai. Plan to head up to Foa Island today.

Anchored off Uonukuhahake. May head up to Pangai today.

Moved up to near the northern end of Uonukuhahake.

Anchored off Uonukuhihifo. AWOB.

Glad we motored here yesterday in good light. Anchored off Uonukuhahaki and Uonukuhihifo. Calm and overcast. 3 other boats in this anchorage but tons of room. Much less rolly here with the SSW swell but a SW wind (10Kt) came up in the middle of the night so we swung around the anchor. Great to have no bommies on the bottom to worry about during that rotation.

Glad we motored here yesterday in good light. Anchored off Uonukuhahaki and Uonukuhihifo. Calm and overcast. 3 other boats in this anchorage but tons of room. Much less rolly here with the SSW swell but a SW wind (10Kt) came up in the middle of the night so we swung around the anchor. Great to have no bommies on the bottom to worry about during that rotation. Check out svwhistler.com for NZ blog additions.

Leaving Telekitonga for Uonukuhihifo. About 40 miles. Clear calm weather, a good day for this passage.

Anchored at Telekitonga Island. Walked around the deserted island, mostly sand beach with some volcanic rock. No real signs of civilization other than stuff washed up on shore. By ourselves here. Waves crashing around our little anchorage.

Anchored at Kelefesia Island with 4 other yachts. Caught our first mahi-mahi on the way here. Had a snorkel yesterday around the anchorage. Lots of bommies and nice reef. Great to listen to the waves crashing on the reef. Beautiful clear day here. Some local fishermen arrived this morning and are out on kayaks. Will check out the island this morning. Not sure how long we will stay. Depends if conditions remain calm.

Underway motoring, heading for Kelefesia. Hoping there is room in the anchorage. Nice red sky this am. Sent from my iPad

Anchored at big Mama's. 12 boats (5 catamarans) anchored here. International affair with boats from Germany, Denmark, Amsterdam, Finland, Norway, US, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Some puddle jumpers have started to arrived from Niue. Plan to head north tomorrow. It looks like we will be motoring!

Anchored off Big Mama’s at Pangaimotu Island. Looking to move north later this week when (northeast) winds die down.

Anchored at Big Mama’s. Squall to the north. Nice to have some calmer conditions.

10 days Anchored off Big Mam’s now. Bad weather broke yesterday afternoon so we went ashore with some other yachties for a beer at Big Mama’s. They are now serving fish & chips and hamburgers at lunch and construction of their deck is progressing, no doubt targeting completion prior to the ICA rally’s arrival. 

Heavy rain all night, continuing this morning. A half dozen boats arrived and cleared in yesterday, kept the port control and customs busy till after hours! Sent from my iPad

Anchored off Big Mama?s. Waiting to get a clearer picture of the weather and path of the tropical depression northwest of Fiji before we head north to the Haapais.

Cleared in yesterday morning in 2 hours! Used the little Customs Dock. Port authority had to get a couple fishing boats to move for us but all went smoothly. Anchored off Pangimotu. Very quiet here, only us anchored. Big Mamas is still busy rebuilding after cyclone in early 2018. They are short staff and construction workers and not serving meals for another couple weeks. Will take their ferry into town today and get some supplies. Not sure when we can go north to the Ha?apai as the forecast appears to have some 30 knot easterly winds and rain starting Sunday night. May stay here till it improves.

Not the most pleasant night at sea. Spent the first half of the night dodging wide-ranging squalls. Winds backed to NNE, died and then picked up, gradually veering to E. Motor sailing but will try to sail again soon. May be a tacking day. Sea state very bouncy.

Leaving S. Minerva this morning. Had an explore on the reef yesterday morning. Monty found several crays, bagged 3 between two and four lbs. All is well here.

Winds dropped over the last 24 hours. Went to the reef yesterday to check out a large object that washed up onto the reef. It was a red buoy, and would have had a light at the top. It would likely stand 6m tall when floating. The only marking on it wasP6. It is over 10m long from end to end. We are wondering where it came from, South America? We are glad it is on the reef and not out at sea! On a high high tide, it could float off again. Planning to leave South Minerva tomorrow (Tuesday) for Tongatapu.

Short excursion to the reef yesterday at low tide. Bagged a couple crays. All is well here. Plan to depart for Tongatapu, probably on Monday.

very windy here. 24 knots for a time yesterday. Rough at anchor at high tide. Had a go at a snorkel with Pilgrim and Midnight Sun next to the lagoon at S. Minerva yesterday. Beautiful reef with lots of sea life. Still waiting for the winds to ease and go more South. Wishful thinking...may have to use the iron sails to get to Tonga. Looking at leaving on a Sunday or Monday.

S. Minerva. Got to the reef yesterday. Interesting. Watching for the wind direction to move more south for a sail to Tonga.

Had a great sleep at anchor at S. Minerva. Glad for the shower to wash the salt off the deck. Not exactly exploring reef weather at the moment.

Anchored in South Minerva. All is well on board. A couple boats here with us. A bit to breezy to go exploring. Looking forward to a good rest tonight!

Anchored in South Minerva. All is well on board. Breezy!

All is well on board. A few more squalls over night. 20 miles to S. Minerva. Plan to stop there.

All is well on board. Had to sail through some vigorous squalls yesterday with gusts over 30 knots and heavy rain. None over night thankfully. A few suspect clouds on the horizon this morning. Had a nice sail overnight with more consistent winds on the beam in the 17-22 range. They are backing off now as is the seas state. 180 miles in 24 hours. 200 miles to go to S. Minerva. Might feel like taking my down jacket and toque off today. What a Canadian wimp!

All is well on board. Had to sail through some vigorous squalls yesterday with gusts over 30 knots and heavy rain. None over night thankfully. A few suspect clouds on the horizon this morning. Had a nice sail overnight with more consistent winds on the beam in the 17-22 range. They are backing off now as is the seas state. 180 miles in 24 hours. 200 miles to go to S. Minerva. Might feel like taking my down jacket and toque off today. What a Canadian wimp!

All is well on board.

All is well on board. Gradually warming up. Winds just starting to get some east in them.

All is well. Seas were over 3m early this am but have dropped down. Winds also easing. Please advise if this format is not working for the yit site updates. Thanks!

All is well. 160NM in 24 hrs. Seas were over 3m early this am but have dropped down. Winds also easing. Please advise if this format is not working for the yit site updates. Thanks!

Leaving for Minerva Reefs today.

At Bay of Islands Marina