Marquesas –Tahuata 7 June 2024

We decided to have the day in the anchorage at Baia Hanamoena on Tahuata island. The island is south of Hiva Ova and across from the Canal du Bordelais. The center of the island has a 1,500-foot mountain chain radiating out in steep ridges and valleys down to the sea and you can see this when approaching. It has spectacular scenery and the principal villages are on the west coast and the island has a population of about 600. The island is about 7 miles long and about 4 miles wide at its widest point.

We had had a bit of rain in the night, but the daybreak brought sun and a nice morning. Keith and I went for a swim and snorkel toward the rocks on our starboard side and toward the lovely beach. We saw lots of fish life and there was quite a bit of coral which the fish were eating. Luckily there were no nobby clarks (sharks!). Clearly the water is healthy and the water was clearer this morning. We then had some watermelon and cereal for breakfast.

We had morning coffee and were rewarded by a turtle swimming past the boat which was nice to see and the picture of the day is it saying hello. We had a chilled morning of reading etc and I began to turn my mind to the Tuamotus which we will head next to. This is quite complicated and I will explain more nearer the time. We had lunch of cheese and meats with the French bread we had left and Keith had made coleslaw. 

We chatted about what to do next and I suggested we left early the next day for Ua Huka the last island to visit before we return to Nuku Hiva. This was agreed and it is about 64 nm and should be a broad reach all the way but with quite strong winds of 18-20 kts.

After lunch we took down the dinghy and decided to go ashore on the beach. The sun came out again after a few showers and we headed off. I had noticed that there was quite a swell on the beach and as we got closer landing would have been tricky and risked overturning the dinghy. We therefore anchored the dinghy and all got off from the dinghy for a swim and snorkel. We noticed quite a few rocks up to the beach and then sand so we were able to wade ashore the last bit but there was a strong undercurrent. Andy went for a walk along the beach and the others swam and snorkelled near the rocks. It was not clear near the beach due to the swell. There were some lovely small blue fish which were a brilliant electric blue. We then had to get back in the dinghy which meant I got in on my own first and then I had to haul everyone else in – whilst we all laughed and felt embarrassed by the inelegant method we got in. Luckily we were not being watched –only by the other 19 boats!!.

We returned to Stormbird and the heavens opened and we say wet in the rain and had some tea. The rain came and went and we warmed up when the sun was out and then became damp in the rain.

Fiona and Joyce cooked a pork tagine with aubergine and couscous which was delicious. We had a long discussion about various members of the Royal Family which was quite interesting.

We are up early tomorrow to move on so I will sign off.  

Crewing Opportunity

We have arrived in the Marquesas in French Polynesia and will explore these islands and then move through to the Tuamotu’s before getting to Tahiti about the end of July 2024. There may be some space on Stormbird during this period should any sailor/reader be interested in joining for this period or part of it in what must be one of the most distant and beautiful places in the world.

Year Two

In addition, in year two I will be going from New Zealand in early January 2025 across to Sydney and up the Eastern Australian Coast, Indonesia and probably across the Indian Ocean to Cape Town and I will need some more crew.

If there is any interest do email me at  hine.nick9@gmail.com  

The blog will continue as we move through French Polynesia and beyond.

If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com  I can only upload one picture a day and visit our website www.stormbirdgoesglobal.co.uk