Tag Archives: tuamotus

Toau

The Tantalizing Beauty of Toau

There were close to 25 boats in the N Fakarava town anchorage.  So, we decided to go to a smaller, more isolated atoll called Toau (pronounced “toe-ow”).  We have visited here before, but we went to the False Pass which is on the opposite side of the island.  Weather was predicted to be light N-NW winds which would be good for entering a new pass and exploring a new atoll. 

Our friends on Agape (Josh and Rachel) followed us out and we motored the short 15nm to the next atoll.  We had wind directly on the nose at 3kts.  Not good sailing conditions, but we did not have far to go.  We entered the pass with no concerns and found a nice anchoring spot in the midst of tons of bommies (coral heads).

There are two passes on the SE side of the Toau atoll that allow vessels to enter the lagoon.  One is used far more frequently because there are range markers helping you navigate through the pass.

Two passes in Toau

Two passes in Toau

This is just a glorious shot.  Shows the exposed motu at low tide and the pass in the distance.

Toau

This drone shot shows the very large coral heads that we had to navigate around to get to our anchor spot.  We came around the two large bommies in the upper left and thru the little pass to the anchorage.

Toau SE Anchorage

Toau SE Anchorage

The Anchorage

You can see all the coral heads (black spots) in the lagoon side in this drone shot. Then 3 boats in front of the false pass and the Pacific on the other side of the motu.  Toau at NoForeignLand.com

Toau SE Anchorage

Toau SE Anchorage

This is a great shot from the Pacific looking over the motu to the Toau lagoon.  The reflection of the clouds is so spectacular and in contrast to the motu and the reef.

Toau SE Anchorage

Toau SE Anchorage

Sugar Shack sitting pretty at sunrise.

Toau Anchorage

Toau Anchorage

This is a fun photo of a super cool coral tower.

We did not stay very long here as a weather window opened up for us to head to Tahiti.  A return visit is a must as this was just a beautiful atoll to visit.

Events from this blog post occurred during the beginning of June, 2021.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.

A Journey: Tuamotus to Gambiers Part II

We originally started our passage from Tikehau with the hopes of making it all the way to Gambiers.  However, if you read “A Journey: Tuamotus to Gambiers Part I” you will see that we were thwarted and had to stop in Amanu for 10 days to wait for more favorable weather.  This blog post will be the second and final part to the Tuamotus to Gambiers passage.

Continuing our Journey to Gambiers

Matt and I left the South East anchorage at Amanu around 0930 on a Monday morning.  We needed to cross the Amanu lagoon, head out the pass, and travel down the atoll which added 16nm to our 450nm passage.  As we approached the pass to exit the lagoon, we noticed we had a 2kt outgoing current.  It turned out to be no problem for us as we exited.

The weather routing gave us four routes.  All of which had us turning left out of the pass and going between Amanu and Hao as it was the shortest distance.  However, that was a huge mistake.  We should have turned right, motored the extra 8-9nm and rounded the NE side of Amanu.  It would have given us a much better wind angle and prevented the horrible washing machine effect.

As we rounded Amanu, we encountered 3-meter waves coming from every direction.  It was a mess.  The waves were trapped between the two atolls creating a really uncomfortable start to our passage.  It lasted the entire length of Hao which is 33+nm long!  Rotten way to start the trip.  Especially because I never recovered from that moment forward.  I stayed in a state of sea sickness the entire trip.  Not my worst trip, but certainly not my best.

The first day we tried to make as much easting as possible. We were pinching (heading as close to the wind as possible) which forced us to constantly trim the sails to keep them full.  Sunset on first night.

First 24 Hours

  • 134nm Miles travelled over all
  • 337nm Distance to destination
  • 7 Max Speed
  • 6 Average Speed

Beautiful sunrise on day 2

On day two, we had calmer seas.  They dropped from 3-meters to 2-meters and were primarily on our forward quarter panel.  Still a bumpy, crazy ride.  Our course for the first 1.5 days was about 140-150T with an average of 12-18kts of wind from North of East.  We had to adjust course to avoid hitting a small atoll called “Tureia” in the middle of the night.  We had lots and lots of beautiful stars as the moon did not rise until 0100.

48 Hours

  • 290nm Miles travelled over all
  • 156nm Travelled in the last 24-hour period
  • 181nm Distance to destination
  • 4 Max Speed
  • 2 Average Speed

We were waiting on a wind shift to make our actual heading to the Gambiers.  Finally, during the 2nd night it started to shift a bit after Matt dwelt with 2 big squalls.  We finally had a course of 120T with winds at about 15-18kts from NE and 1.5-meter seas.  Our cross track was at +47 and we needed to widdle that down.  Happy to be heading directly to Gambiers with decent winds and smaller seas.

Matt took this really cool photo of the moon and sky as the sun was trying to rise.  If you zoom in you can see we are making 8kts of boat speed in 16kts of wind.  Pretty impressive.

72 hours

  • 466nm Miles travelled over all
  • 176nm Travelled in the last 24-hour period
  • 6nm Distance to destination
  • 6 Max Speed
  • 6 Average Speed

We entered the Gambiers pass with a reefed main and jib.  Normally we would take our sails down, but the wind was coming from the right direction and just pulled us nicely into the pass with no problems.  All in all, it was a decent trip.  We were able to sail the entire passage without the use of the motors (yea, save money on diesel).  Had it not been for the horrible beginning I probably would have felt better the rest of the trip. But, what can you do?

Final Passage Details

  • 73 hours travelled for entire passage – anchor to anchor
  • 481nm Miles travelled over all
  • 10.6 Max Speed
  • 6.6 Average Speed

Arriving at the Gambiers pass

Arriving Gambiers

Arriving Gambiers

Did you read “A Journey: Tuamotus to Gambiers Part I“?  Find out why we stopped and had to continue our journey 10 days later. 

Events from this journey occurred around the 2nd week of December, 2020.  Our blog posts run 8 weeks behind our adventures.

Astounding Amanu

This little atoll called Amanu has proven to be a true hidden gem.  The turquoise water is so clear that you can see 15-18 meters deep.  The corals are healthy, the motus are lined with beautiful, swaying palm trees, and the locals are friendly.

Sugar Shack at Amanu

Sugar Shack at Amanu

Amanu has gifted us with many beautiful rainbows (after a free boat wash).

And of course, gorgeous sunsets.

Amanu sunset

Amanu sunset

Sugar Shack seems to have found a little slice of heaven on the southeast side of Amanu.

Anchored in Amanu

Anchored in Amanu

Matt is happy here as well.

Kite boarders love this area because it is windy and shallow.  A young couple who have a kite school out of Fakarava were here with a charter.  They gifted us with many hours of free entertainment.  Pretty spectacular what they can do in high winds and seas. 

They were pretty far from us, but I tried to zoom in to capture them in the air.

Motus around Amanu

We explore lots and lots of motus.  So many that I cannot name them all because they don’t have names on our charts.  We walk from one motu, across small bodies of water to another motu and carry on until we get tired.  The terrain on the motus differs wildly.  From afar, there appears to be beaches. 

But very rarely do you find sandy shores.  The shores are usually covered in coral.  Broken coral, ranging in various sizes, and shells cover the shores. 

As you get to the windward side of the motus the coral is much larger.  These can be a little harder to walk across. 

And of course, you cross over many bodies of water in between.  Sometimes, during low tide you just have the sea bed (top left photo).  Often times you have ankle deep water (top right).  And other times you have a little sand (bottom right) and yet other times you have hard packed coral in between the bushes (bottom left).

The terrain of the motu

The terrain of the motu

We crossed over several low water crossings, using sandy spits to navigate to shore.  Some where above water, some below by 1′ and some as much as 3′.

One lone palm stood out on a motu.  We had to go visit it.  Do you see the palm way in the distance in the top photo?

A Whale inside the lagoon

We spotted two whales inside the Amanu lagoon!  What a treat.  Unfortunately, I did not have the large camera out to get good shots of this graceful creature.  But I did grab a few shots with my phone. 

She was about 100 meters (one football field) away. 

A whale inside the lagoon

A whale inside the lagoon

I loved watching the tale gently glide under the water only to see the spout shortly after.

The beautiful whale tail

The beautiful whale tail

Amanu has surprised and wowed us! 

Events from this blog post occurred around the 1st week of December, 2020.  Our blog posts run 8 weeks behind our adventures.