Vagabond Voyagesvideo

Some bad news… | TONGA Vlog 105

December 19, 2025 · 24 min · 8K views · Tonga

Sailboat at anchor in calm blue bay, Tonga

What this video covers

The owners of a cruising sailboat currently in the Vavaʻu group of Tonga are managing a dental infection while navigating local waters. After ten days of antibiotics failed to resolve an abscessed tooth, a local dentist performed an initial assessment and root canal attempt, but determined that advanced surgical treatment is unavailable in Tonga. The crew has opted to monitor the condition and continue cruising locally, with plans to seek definitive care in Fiji if the infection worsens. The transit to a remote anchorage involved motoring against 40-knot thermal gusts that caused significant stress to the boat's bimini and solar panel installation. The vessel is currently anchored in 16 meters of water with 60 meters of chain deployed. While the crew notes that medical facilities in Tonga are clean and free of charge for minor issues, they emphasize the necessity of reaching Fiji for complex medical procedures.

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