Lauren Landers Sailingvideo

a SOLO escape to dive with SHARKS! [ep 208]

10 July 2026 · 21 min · 169K views · Fakarava

What this video covers

Lauren Landers departs Fakarava's north anchorage solo on her Beneteau Oceanis 510 Mako for a 30-mile motor south to Fakarava's South Pass in the Tuamotus, with five knots of headwind requiring motoring the full distance.2:18 At the South Pass she scuba dives the famous shark wall with her friend Josh from the boat Agafe, describing it as one of the few places she actively prefers scuba over snorkeling; the pair also snorkel for shark teeth on an incoming tide.7:39 A fuel shortage complicates the stay — the local gas station is withholding fuel from cruisers, selling only to locals — so Lauren and Josh join friends on Casablanca and 71% who have ordered a drum delivered by ship.14:13 The return passage, roughly 30 miles upwind through the atoll in flat water, starts with a spinnaker in 5–10 knots; wind fluctuates between 4 and 15 knots, dropping average speed to 4–5 knots.15:01 Lauren reflects on the mental-health adjustment of transitioning from months of guests aboard back to solo sailing, and the episode includes a sponsored segment for Headspace meditation app, offering a 60-day free trial.4:41

Watch on YouTube

Boats in this video

Beneteau Oceanis 510Their boat

More from Lauren Landers Sailing

my engine DIED, stranded alone at sea? [ep 214]Aug 2026alone at sea - my favorite days [ep 213]Aug 2026alone again. and testing my limits? ep 212]Aug 2026one LAST atoll, bittersweet goodbyes [ep 211]Aug 2026

From Lauren Landers Sailing — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.

Report an issue