Stella Overboardvideo
Sailing to Paradise for Perfect Waves
June 27, 2026 · 25 min · 15K views · Uluwatu
Camille smiles on sailboat, hands clasped, turquoise sea ahead
What this video covers
Camille and Jesse anchor Stella in the Hanako Islands, a remote chain off the west coast of Nias, Indonesia, known for uncrowded surf breaks.1:27 The anchorage is reef-strewn, and the anchor drags repeatedly before they find a sandy patch to set.0:07 Local guide Vicky leads the crew to a secret wave where they surf for over four hours, scoring what Camille calls the best waves of the trip.8:23 The Inna Sylvie Surf Camp hosts them at anchor directly in front of the resort, providing meals and boat transport to breaks.1:58 A hike across the island reveals pristine beaches and a village with stray dogs showing signs of mange and ringworm.14:00 The following day a squall builds to 42 knots, Stella drags toward the beach, and the windlass fails mid-retrieval while Camille hauls chain by hand on the bow in breaking waves.22:22 They motor clear before grounding.22:33 Friends Matt and Grace, anchored nearby, also drag in the same storm.22:45 The windlass failure during an emergency anchor retrieval in a squall is the sharpest practical lesson: a malfunctioning windlass in deteriorating conditions forces dangerous manual chain handling.23:15
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