Fiji - Astrolabe Reef Islands - Boat Party - Whales and Mantas - [SUBS] - (Ep. 19 2023)
15 October 2023 · 25 min · 2K views · Kadavu
What this video covers
Anchoring in coral-heavy waters requires careful site selection and multiple attempts to avoid damaging the reef or fouling the anchor. While cruising the Fiji archipelago, the crew of a 1K sailboat navigated the Astrolabe Reef, specifically targeting Namara Island and later Buiia.1:00 At Namara, the crew dropped anchor five times to clear coral heads, ensuring the boat remained safe during tidal shifts.2:38 They later transited to Cavala Bay on Kandavu Island to shelter from incoming heavy weather and restock supplies, including fuel and fresh produce.12:58 The anchorage at Cavala Bay, protected by mangroves, offered secure holding in 20-knot southeasterly winds.15:04 During the passage between Kandavu and Ono, the crew encountered humpback whales and manta rays, documenting the wildlife with a GoPro.22:19 Local interactions included a social visit from a local family who provided coconuts and sugarcane, demonstrating traditional methods for processing both.16:22 The crew utilized the protected bay infrastructure at Cavala Bay for provisioning before preparing for further weather-related delays.15:40
Boats in this video
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