New Caledonia: between Baguettes 🥖, SNAKES 🐍 and the DREAM of AUSTRALIA 🐨| Ep28-2025
2 December 2025 · 34 min · 4K views · Nouméa
What this video covers
Max and Ale sail Y2K, a Beneteau Oceanis 50, from Fiji to New Caledonia, clearing out of Fiji before transiting a narrow, current-swept pass with standing waves.0:01 The 1,100 nm passage arrives at Port Boiset, where anchoring in 20 meters over coral and rock proves difficult before they move to Port Moselle marina in Nouméa.0:55 Customs and biosecurity at Port Moselle require agents to board and inspect for prohibited food items — onions and garlic are at risk of confiscation — while immigration offices close at 11 a.m., forcing a next-day visit.6:09 A 40-knot southeast squall with lightning hits the afternoon they arrive, making the marina berth well-timed.9:55 The island's iron-rich geology turns anchor chain red.3:29 A wind instrument that failed leaving Fiji self-corrects after heavy rain flushes the connection, but Max inspects the masthead sensor anyway and finds the spare parts kit lacks the critical aluminum shaft; he cleans and re-seals the connector with self-amalgamating tape.21:15 New Caledonia's highly venomous banded sea snakes — black-and-white or black-and-yellow striped — are a real hazard on anchor chains.11:57 Supermarket prices in Nouméa convert at roughly 1,000 XPF to €8.50, with French cheeses, Bordeaux, and baguettes available at near-European prices.14:31 Coppercoat antifouling on Y2K's hull is no longer holding, and Max dives in a clear-water anchorage at Maa bay to clean the hull and photograph it for Australian biosecurity clearance, with Australia as the next destination.28:03
Boats in this video
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