19:44.13S 174:18.09W

After a thoroughly enjoyable 2 ½  weeks it was time to say good-bye to the Vava’u Group of islands.  With light winds forecast for the coming few days, it was the ideal opportunity to explore the Ha’apai Group of islands further south.

These are low lying islands 65 miles to the south of Neiafu and are reported to be some of the most unspoilt places in the South Pacific.  Although not completely reef fringed, there is a certain amount of eyeball navigation required to enter the more sheltered anchorages, so it’s wise to arrive in good daylight.  For us this meant a slow meander down overnight and we were treated to calm seas and a full moon.

Though a short passage, as tradition dictates, arrivals beers were the order of the day and very good they were too.

We are now anchored off the village of Lotofoa on Foa Island and are looking forward to exploring ashore.