Marquesas to Tuamotus - Day 1
CuriousOyster
Steve & Trish Brown
Mon 19 Apr 2010 01:10
Time 03.00UT 19/04/2010
Passage time 1 days 0 hours
Distance to destination 475nm
Distance travelled 175nm
The 12 to 16 knot winds filled in as forecasted around 6pm local time last
night so we left Nuka Hiva on schedule and have headed South West directly
on the Rhumb line for Manihi. Unlike most arrivals that allow a wide time
slot into the anchorage the Coral Atolls of the Tuamotu demand extreme care
and timing to enter the narrow passes where tidal streams run very fast in
the channels and in a number of instances there is an almost constant
outflow due to water being washed over the very low lying outer reefs. The
navigational challenges are not over once inside the lagoon as these shallow
waters are studded with hidden coral heads to trap the unwary sailor.
The fringing reefs on these atolls are studded with low lying islands some
of which have small villages ashore and some even small airstrips.
The reward for new arrivals is some of the best snorkelling and diving in
the world.
Can't wait!!
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