Friday 1 September – Big wave weather alert

The lady at the restaurant last night told us about a big wave/swell warning, Rowan checked it out and it is coming from a low pressure system quite far away. We decided to head back to Bourayne bay and see if one of the 3 mooring balls were available. We left before breakfast and we were delighted to eventually come around the corner to see only two boats. We went right up but could not find the ball, a kind old French man who was on one of the balls, got into his dinghy and tried to help us find it, but with no luck. Either the last boat cut it’s line or the big wave/swell has submerged it so far we can’t see it. We finally went to the sand bank on the other side and after our second attempt managed to find a holding in water deep enough. It is a magnificent spot.

Leaving Fare anchorage

Gorgeous morning light on still water

The Bora Bora style resort we passed which looked empty

Rowan’s drone shot of our careful anchorage away from coral bommies!

After a late breakfast we went over to the little island which is a known snorkelling spot and had a very good snorkel, the current was roaring and splitting in two directions as it hit the island. There was some lovely coral and loads of fish, we think they must get fed as they came racing up to us. Not many big fish, but lovely to see so many. We did a drift dive in the end easier than fighting the current. Afterwards we went to the very picturesque beach, we were surprised to find quite a few people. It looked like some backpackers had hiked in with locals. Gorgeous beach but the big waves were having an impact and the water was swamping the beach.

Snorkelling around the little island

We tried to go all the way around the island but it was too uncomfortable in the waves and current on the reef side

Visiting the lovely beach

Gorgeous beach with Acacia trees nearly in the sea

PolePole in the distance

Uprooted tree

We returned to PolePole who was bouncing about, very un-catamaran like! The waves hitting the reef have increased in size dramatically and created a set of small waves over the reef. Luckily Rowan checked our anchor which is nicely buried in thick sand. The current increased, from the extra volume of water coming in I assume. The waves on the reef were mesmerising, huge big dumping towers of water.

Just to give you an idea how close we are to the reef with the breaking waves, you can see the little island we snorkelled around and the gorgeous little beach opposite us

The crashing waves, not so far from us!

Rowan enjoying his drone!

We had our First gas BBQ, now that we finally have the right nozzle on our new fibreglass gas tank. There was absolutely no wind but we bumped about with the waves and current, which was quite different. The waves hopefully die down tonight.