Position   18:42.00S  174:01.86W

Thursday 15th August 2013

From our last anchorage at Taunga we had a great day sail taking a long route out through to the western side of the islands before coming back in to the sheltered anchorage at Port Maurelle on Kapa Island.

On the sail we saw a number of whales swimming past us and breaching further out ahead of us which was exciting for the Sea Monkey crew who had been looking forward to the whales.

Then on our way past the back of Nuapapu Island I decided the conditions looked perfect to make a stop to discover the Mariners Cave. We motored along close by the shore until we found the dark patch of water and markings on the rock that showed its hidden entrance. Then we took turns with one person aboard Sea Monkey motoring around in circles in the deep water in front of the cliffs while the other two jumped overboard with mask and fins. The only entry to the cave is by diving underwater and swimming through a big hole in the rock there and continuing until you are far enough in that the cave opens up above and you can surface again. Inside it is a tall cavern lit only by the blue glow of the sunlight shinning in the entrance hole and up through the clear water. As the swells push water in and out through the hole you feel your ears ‘popping’ each time from the increase and decrease in pressure of the air trapped inside the cave. As the swells suck out and decrease the pressure a thick mist suddenly forms inside the cave only for it to suddenly vanish completely seconds later when the next swell pushes in. It is a magical feeling place!


Phil