We rose very early on the 8th of July and freed Whistler from the mooring, our home for the last 3 ½ weeks. We were heading east to Fawn Harbour, Viani Bay or somewhere in between. We hoped to catch Spirare and A-Train at the anchorage by the Cousteau Resort. Spirare had already set sail but A-Train was still anchored. It is a beautiful calm day, with the wind on the nose. We motor-sailed with the main up. It was a little rolly but a very nice day for a passage. We were moving out of Savusavu before the strong SE trades kicked in again.
A-Train was nicely powered up under sail and came quite close at one point, so I snapped a few shots of the boat. We were reminded we should have slowed down and let them pass since we were under power but it made for good camera positions!
A-Train under sail
A-Train steaming down on us
We had the OpenCPN charts and Google Earth pictures set up on our computer. We were informed by radio that their destination was Dakuniba Pass. The anchorage sounded fairly easy and secure with a muddy bottom. Serge said it was known to be a “hurricane hole”.
As we were preparing to enter the pass, we were surrounded by thousands of birds diving and flying over the boat. I thought I saw some large fish jumping out of the water too. We wanted to put our lines back in the water but it was getting late for seeing the coral heads going through the pass. I quickly snapped a few shots and got back to navigating.
Bird activity around us as we approached the pass
When I got a chance to look at my photos later, I saw what was attracting all the birds! A school of yellow-fin tuna! I was late told that the tuna are around at this time of year and active feeding in the passes as they empty with the ebb. Maybe we will be lucky and land one some day!
Yellowfin Tuna jumping with birds diving for what they leave behind!
Yellowfin tuna leaping through the air
Navigating Dakuniba Pass
We made it easily through the pass and got anchored between Spirare and A-Train. Our trip had been about 43 miles.
Next, our stay in Nasasabo!
