26.06.19 to 03.07.19
Toau, Anse Amyot
Later in the morning we set off for Toau, as it is almost 40 miles, we barely make it before sunset. The wind actually died on us about 2 hours away from the anchorage, we kept the asymmetric up and put the engine on, 6 knots all the way. All the moorings are taken so we have to anchor in the dark. Fortunately, Marea, the beautiful superyatch, with sails, is lit up like a Christmas tree providing excellent light to do so.
Next morning we can actually see our neighbours, plenty people we know, amongst them vagabond, who once again are just about to leave. The weather will be again deteriorating and they want to make a dash for Moorea before it is too late. Before they go though, we have perfect weather for a snorkel outside of the atoll. It is so flat and calm that even sitting on the boat you can watch the fishes going about their business below us. I even spot a shark. We spent over an hour snorkeling while Roos and Hans dive on the wall. Again brilliant and I have finally found some star fishes, quite big too but only the white five arms version. We’ve moved twice in one day, the first mooring is the strongest and a bigger boat than us is needing it so we wait for vagabond to go late afternoon to take its place. There is a general exodus; the forecast is really not good, with winds predicted to go upwards of 40 knots and for the best part of a week. So from 11 boats in the bay, we are now down to 3, all of us British… guess that tells you something. So we have Karma , Joanne and Graham, AA and bageera , Sally and Peter. The thinking is that if we dash to papeete, like everyone else we will be bagging the worse anchor spot, everyone having gotten the best sheltered places in view of the blow coming. Here the moorings are in good condition, we are extremely well spaced out and should the weather improve even a little bit we can snorkel from the boat or a short dinghy ride away, we can have a nice walk on the beach and the reef . We make the most of the 2 days without wind and do a load of snorkeling off the boat. A bit tiring though the current is quite strong in the middle but the coral is fantastic, so many fishes. Swimming in a fish tank again. Given the little wind, we even blow up the kayak and go for an explore on the other islands and the reef. Again, we have a lot of current to contend with but it is well worth it if only to see the eels dashing around the shallows.