Here in Savusavu, Fiji, the marina we’re hunkering down at for cyclone season is working hard to finish their huge pool, but in the meantime we found a good pool of our own. Just a few minutes away on the dinghy, on the backside of the island, is a nice … Read More
Tonga to Fiji
We’ve been in Tonga a few weeks, and enjoying our time here, but cyclone season is approaching and we sailors live with one eye on the weather forecast at all times. With a nice four day weather window approaching we decided it was probably a good idea to move along. … Read More
The Clan McWilliams Wreck
The Clan McWilliams is a 423′ long copra steamship that sunk in Neiafu harbor way back in 1927. A fire started in one of the holds and once it was out of control everybody on the ship took off. Everyone but the captain and an engineer (who may or may … Read More
Around Neiafu
Neiafu harbor is a peaceful spot. There are a couple of dozen moorings out here that cost ~$8 a day, which actually makes life a lot better in this bay because of the depths. Our mooring is sitting in 100′ of water. If everyone were trying to squeeze into the … Read More
Mariner’s Cave
We moved over to an anchorage near an area called the Coral Garden. We went over and anchored the dinghy in shallow water and then swam a couple hundred yards across a barren coral wasteland. I began to think we were in the wrong place, but we eventually reached the … Read More
Port Maurelle
We returned to the Port Maurelle anchorage again. It has quickly become a favorite. A thin tan smile-shaped shoreline, mooring ball in shallower water, and nothing but calm protected water all around us. Passing the Picton Castle, a sail training ship for anyone from 18-40 years old who wants to … Read More
Swallow’s Cave
Swallow’s Cave here in Vava’u, Tonga is a nice big cave whose entrance has broken off to allow us entry. There are other caves in the area that aren’t so easy to access, but with Swallow’s you can drive the dinghy right in. It’s about 60′ deep and in the … Read More
Tongan Waters
Here in Vava’u there is always a new anchorage nearby to explore. It was nice to find one to anchor in shallow water again, though the holding was pretty poor. Fortunately, there was hardly any wind to contend with. We went out with a few friends for our first scuba … Read More
Kingdom of Tonga
We arrived in the Kingdom of Tonga first thing in the morning and spent the last few miles making water to wash the boat. Nothing feels so good as having a salt-free boat as we drop anchor in a new spot after a passage. For those curious, this boat came … Read More