Sail to Tahuata

 9 October 2017

It is about a 40 mile sail from Fatu Iva to Tahuata. To be sure we arrived in daylight, we left about 4am from Hanavave. It is about that time that the sky starts to have a glow to it anyway. Once we were clear of the tall islands the wind filled in and we had a nice sail going.

The boobie birds were flying circles around us watching for any flying fish or other type of fish that may be scared by our boat and jump up out of the water, a chance for them to eat.

Next to show up were the dolphin!

They were surfing in the big SE swell which is now pushing the boat around in open water. But for them it is a playground! 

We must always remember, even though it is just a 40 mile sail, it is wide open ocean out here and the swells can get fairly big.

Now we have lots of birds zooming around. 

Must be something big chasing the fish to the surface for this many birds to show up! 

Tahuata is getting closer.

The big swells are rolling under us! 

That is actually both Tahuata and Hiva Oa, beyond it.

We are approaching the south end and can now see definition in the rocks.

The mountains of Tahuata seem quite tall too, as they tickle the bottom of the clouds.

Finally rounding the South end.

And starting to see the West side of the island.

The different shades of green in each hill depend on the distance and light.

Strange deep scratch marks on the South Point, makes me wonder what caused those brown marks.

Deep green valleys drop all the way to the ocean.

Coming around the headland we notice the rock pinnacle on the top of the mountain behind it.

We are anchored in a bay called Hanatefau (hana tay fow) in plenty time to catch the sunset.

When the horizon is clear to the edge of the ocean when the sun is setting, we have a good chance to see the elusive green flash. And this sunset did not disappoint us, but impossible to photograph a green flash!

It was a lovely day's sail!!