Madison Boatworksvideo
18 | Sailing the Spectacular Islands of Fiji, Vanua Balavu and Makogai
April 6, 2024 · 22 min · 177K views · Vanua Balavu
What this video covers
Jonathan and Whitney navigated from Taveuni to the Lau Group, making landfall at Vanua Balavu after an overnight passage.Watch Overcast conditions obscured the reefs flanking the entrance channel, necessitating reliance on shore-based range marks for safe navigation.0:14 Upon arrival, the crew performed a Cevu Cevu ceremony, presenting kava to the local chief to secure anchoring permission.1:04 They anchored in the uninhabited northern section of the island, utilizing a technique of floating the chain to avoid snagging on coral heads.1:57 The crew explored the surrounding islets by dinghy and cleaned the hull in the shallow, calm waters.11:36 Departing Vanua Balavu, they sailed approximately 120 miles over 24 hours to Makogai, a former leper quarantine station now serving as a government hatchery for giant clams and coral.15:13 The transit to Makogai involved light winds and speeds averaging four knots.15:59 The crew plans to continue westward toward the Yasawa Islands to position the boat for a future offshore passage.21:46
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