On the hard at Norsand. Been a good week here with mostly sunny calm conditions. Preparing to leave for our Canadian winter. Ski hills are open!

Happy to be docked in Whangarei! Stormy day. Inside jobs planned for today.

Docked at Bay of Islands Marina beside 3 other Antares catamarans! Nice to meet up with Blue Summit and to get to know the owners of Golden Glow and Exit Strategy! Marina is filling up. Weather has been a real mix, with some warm sunny days, but, generally, cool with storms, packing heavy rain and high winds, blowing through fairly frequently. Been getting several boat projects done while we are here in Opua.

Arrived in Opua at 2230 last night. Motored almost 100 hours on this passage. Thanks to some good sailing conditions at the beginning, we averaged 6.5 knots over 1160 miles. Good to get a full night's sleep last night. All is well on board.

Motoring. Should arrive in Opua this evening. Saw the green flash last night! Sea was like a mirror, glassy!

Motoring. Should arrive in Opua this evening. All is well on board.

Motoring. Clouding over again. Looks like Saturday early am arrival. All is well on board.

Sailing. Skies clear south of us. Heading into the high. Expect the winds to die off shortly and go SW. All is well on board.

All is well on board. NOTE: PC computer is now working so Sailmail address will reach us again.

good that the swell is down from the report from Silver Fox behind them

Sailing with full main and genoa. Made 180NM in last 24 hours. Winds got lighter and went NE overnight but have kicked up again so we are moving along nicely. All is well on board.

Sailing with double reefed main and reefed genoa. Have had lots of periods of 25 to 27 Kt wind. Waves overnight have been confused and steep with a short period. All is well on board and nice to have some sunshine as we get used to wearing more layers!

Moored in Port Denarau. Leaving today for New Zealand.

On our way to a Port Denarau to prepare for departure on a Friday for New Zealand.

Anchored off Nananu-I-Thake.

Nananau-I-Thake, anchored. Rainbows this am.

Anchored at Nanana-I-Thake. Cirrus clouds this am. Had an interesting morning yesterday going out to the reef for kiting downwinder. Learned lots. Planning a run to Rakiraki this am to pick up some provisions. Kiting in the afternoon.

Nananu-I-Thake. Wind continues. Got in some lessons over the last couple days. Going with Warren (Safari Lodge) to outer reef, 5km to the east, for a downwinder (kiting) this am. Monty will kite, while Margy will tag along with her camera.

Anchored off Nananu-I-Thake. Lots of ash from cane burning on the decks this morning. Nice morning. Should be enough wind for kiting today.

Nananu-I-Thake. Lots of cane burning on the mainland as farmers rush to get their cane to the mills before they close for the season. Fortunately, the wind is taking the smoke west, away from us. Good kiting conditions.

Anchored off Nananu-I-Thake for some more kiting while we wait for another weather window.

Anchored in Musket Cove.

Anchored off Pt. Denarau. Staying in Fiji for a while longer. Heading off to Mamanucas today.

Port Denarau: Looking at leaving for NZ later today.

Still at Port Denarau. Not leaving for New Zealand just yet.

Docked at Port Denarau. Plan to leave for New Zealand tomorrow.

Underway on route to Port Denarau, with plans to prepare for departing for NZ on Thursday.

Anchored at Nananu-i-Cake.

Anchored at Volivoli Pt, NE Viti Levu. Had a lovely evening at Volivoli Resort. Heading back to Nananu-I-Cake for more kiting today.

Anchored off Nananu-I-Cake. Nice broad reach yesterday, sailing with S/V Mustang Sally. Sunny, with 15-20kt. Monty got out for a kite after we anchored. Looks like good weather for kiting in the next few days.

Anchored at Makongai. Did a 360 around our anchor with 30 kt gusts from SW overnight. Heading for Nananu-I-Cake today. Good snorkel yesterday, saw a white tip and a black tip shark, a giant clam at least 6 ft long, lots of sea anemone fish and lots of colourful reef fish.

Makongai, anchored, looking to go to Nanana-I-Cake for some kiting. Would like to go today, but likely go tomorrow as it may be too rainy later today on route.

Savusavu: Showers. May leave later today. Likely head for the west coast via the Bligh Waters.

Moored in Savusavu. Catching up with friend boats and making some new acquaintances.

Savusavu: Went for a dive to see hammerheads yesterday, but we didn't see them. One was seen by a couple of the divers. Saw a school of barracuda, tuna, a variety of reef fish including spadefish, scorpion fish and purple soft coral. The corals are slowly recovering from cyclone Winston.

Savusavu. Sunny but clouding over.

Moored in Savusavu. Calm, cloudy with some sunny breaks. A tick for the efficiency of the Fijian check-in process. Got our coastal clearance permit in less than a day. Curry for lunch, Chinese for dinner. It is almost too easy and inexpensive to dine out here. Data is cheap too! Not very busy in Savusavu at the moment. Apparently mooring field was full up in the last couple weeks.

Moored in Savusavu. Nice morning. Made it into the harbour around 2pm yesterday, just in time to clear customs without paying overtime. Several moorings available.

Vanua Levu in sight. Fish on the line, so a bit occupied here. Several squalls overnight. Occasional showers. Motoring. About 35NM to Savusavu Harbour. The sea looks mercurial this morning with the grey skies and lack of wind. A very determined booby tried to make our boat his roost last night. It was not easy to dissuade him. One mahimahi in the freezer from the passage. We were sorry that Tonga is no longer granting cruising boats extensions beyond a four month stay as we still had islands to explore, but we are looking forward to Fiji and meeting up with some cruising friends again. Won't be long before we are looking for a weather window to New Zealand.

Vanua Levu in sight. Several squalls overnight. Occasional showers. Motoring. About 35NM to Savusavu Harbour. The sea looks mercurial this morning with the grey skies and lack of wind. A very determined booby tried to make our boat his roost last night. It was not easy to dissuade him. One mahimahi in the freezer from the passage. We were sorry that Tonga is no longer granting cruising boats extensions beyond a four month stay as we still had islands to explore, but we are looking forward to Fiji and meeting up with some cruising friends again. Won't be long before we are looking for a weather window to New Zealand.

Sailing to Savusavu, passing Lakeba. Already much warmer than in Tonga. Slowed down and motored overnight with squally conditions causing lots of wind angle changes, variable wind speeds and a knot of unfavourable current. Sunny this am, with light SE winds. Flying twin head sails for this downwind leg. 150NM to go.

Sailing to Savusavu. Made 170 NM in 24 hours. Seas have calmed down this am. Just hit a few squalls which took the ESE winds we had been getting to 60 degrees. With just the main with one reef, we were doing 7 kt. Settling back now with the squalls passing, so we will fly the genoa again soon.

On passage for Fiji, just left Nieafu. Off Hunga Island.

Nieafu: overcast with occasional showers.

Nieafu: rain, heavy at times.

Blue Lagoon, Vava'u. We can't believe we haven't been here before. Just one other boat here. Rolly at high tide with the current SW swell, but beautiful in every direction with quadraphonic sound of pounding surf.

Ark Gallery: Calm AS! Waterski conditions.

Photo from Saturday evening, Nuku Island beach party. See svwhistler.com for more.

Moored in Nieafu Harbour.

Nieafu Harbour. Monty got in a kiting session at Mounu yesterday. Starting to study weather for passage from Nieafu to Fiji, maybe mid next week.

Moored in Nieafu.

Moored in Nieafu. Had a nice sail up yesterday. Caught a couple yellowfin with whales surfacing to watch us reel them in.

Sailing to Vavau today. Customs have told us we hve to depart Tonga by end of September. They only gave us a 3 week extension on our 4-month stay.

Off Nukunamo Island, Haapai, leaving for Vavau this am. Had a nice day yesterday sailing up from Pangai. JJ, son of the Matafonua Lodge's owners, showed us some fishing tricks.

Anchored off Haapai Beach Resort, near Pangai. Checking out today. Sailing to Vavau tonight or tomorrow morning. Attached photo of the trough coming through on our AIS screen. Fortunate that the winds were light as they backed to the SE. They gusted to over 25kt in the anchorage for a time last evening.

Anchored off Ha'apai Beach Resort, just north of Pangai. Sailed down yesterday with sunshine and light northerly winds. Abbey and Lilly, delightful children of Matafonua Lodge's owners, accompanied us for the short sail. Awaiting the trough's arrival and wind switch to the south. Sunny first thing but clouding over. Plan to check out tomorrow and sail to Vava'u on Tuesday.

Anchored off Foa. Clouding over this am. Booked a whaleswim with Matafonua today and maybe go to the Sandy Beach's Tongan Feast tonight. Planning to head to Vava'U early next week.

Foa Island. Mackerel sky this am. Continues to be windy.

Foa Island. Windy over night, gusting to over 30 kt several times. A few squalls yesterday.

Anchored off Foa Island. Nice clear morning. Been very windy last several days. Wind generator has been doing an excellent job of keeping the batteries fully charged through the nights. Kiting conditions continue!

Anchored off Foa. Good kiting weather yesterday am. Wind died down a bit in the afternoon but came back up last night. Nice to see the sun this am but very windy.

Anchored off Foa Island. Good kiting weather yesterday. Ugly out there this morning.

Anchored off Foa. Did the spin around from North to West to Southeast over the last hour or so in very light winds. Winds picking up a bit now. Had a fabulous whale swim with Matafonua yesterday. Swam with a few mom, calf and escort groups. Calves very playful at times.

Anchored off Foa again. Not enough wind to kite today. Will try to take free diving course.

Anchored off Haapai Beach Resort.

Anchored off Haapai Beach Resort. Sunny. Wind and seas are gradually calming down.

Anchored off Ha'apai Beach Resort. We had winds up to 35 knots yesterday afternoon. They eased a bit as the backed around overnight. Rough in the anchorage but anchor held well. Cloudy but rain has stopped.

Anchored off Haapai Beach Resort, just north of Pangai. Fairly calm in this anchorage with steady rain all night.

Anchored off Foa. Wind has dropped and veered for the moment. Pondering moving to find protection from possible strong NW and W winds in a day or two.

Still at Foa Island in the Ha'apai. Excellent kiting weather.

Anchored at Foa Island. Nice calm sunny morning.

Anchored off Foa Island. Calmer today. Clouding over. Freediving course today.

At Foa Island. One more nice kiting day today.

Very windy in the anchorage. Lovely full moon last night but chilly to go out and look at it. Trying to take kiting lesson but looks too windy for our 8m! ! Matafonua has a freediving instructor on staff, so might take a course. Looking forward to some calmer conditions again!

Anchored off Foa. Winds gusting and much stronger on the windward side of the island. Sweater weather! Good kiting conditions.

Anchored at Foa Island. Cool start to this windy morning with sun, occasional showers, rainbows and breaching whales.

Anchored at Foa. Went for whaleswim yesterday. Lots of swimming to try to catch them but did get some time beside a calf resting on top of its mom. The escort kept swimming under us all. Saw lots of whales and a few rambunctious calves breaching. Back on the boat last evening, we were entertained by another calf playing not far from us.

Anchored off Foa Island. Quick sail down from Vava'U yesterday. Had to dog some dozing whales in our path! Too rough to fish.

Heading 205

Speed 8 kt

Sailing to Ha'apais, Foa Island.

Moored in Nieafu. Went for a sail yesterday with 2 Canadian volunteers with Vava'U Environmental Protection Association. It was a lovely day with sunshine, light winds and some whales about.

Moored in Nieafu.

In Nieafu. Heading out of the harbour for the day.

Anchored at Vakueitu, #16. Overcast, spitting off and on, breezy.

In Nieafu. Nice day yesterday but now clouded over.

Moored in Nieafu to reprovision. Had a wonderful downwinder from Ha'apais yesterday, flying twin head sails. Saw lots of whales along the way. All is well.

All is well. North of Haano, heading for Nieafu.

Anchored off Uoleva. Rain just started.

Anchored off Uoleva. Calm, sunny.

Anchored in small lagoon west of Meama island in the Ha'apais. Narrow entrance with a deep anchorage. Stunning spot. A 1m swell cooked up overnight. With winds from the NE and S swell, we took it on the stern all night. This morning, we had a nice whale show just off the reef. We were sad to leave and hope we can return in calmer conditions.

Anchored off Uoleva. Calmed down overnight. Hazy and humid.

Anchored at Foa Island. Whales being spotted. Snorkelled yesterday, saw a couple leopard sharks and some healthy coral. Wind picked up again last night but is expected to drop mid day. Lots of dew overnight. Moving today, possibly Uoleva.

At Foa Anchorage. Good kiting weather. Visited Pangai's Agricultural, Fisheries and Pangai-Made Show yesterday. King was there and toured the displays. Large live turtle, upside down on a display table!

Anchored at Foa. Good kiting weather.

Anchored off Foa. Just started raining.

Had amazing day yesterday, snorkelling and diving with Matafonua Lodge. A whale visited us for a time!

Anchored off north end of Foa Island. Very calm and sunny here this morning.

At Ha'apai Beach Resort anchorage. Yesterday, we went out fishing (nothing worth keeping) but saw lots of whales! Sunny today but very rolly in this anchorage with the SSW wave direction. Wondering where we can find a calm protected anchorage in the Ha'apais with these conditions.

Anchored at Uoleva. Skies did not clear enough yesterday to move. Got out for nice snorkel off the S end of the island yesterday. Got to see the moon last night and had a brief but stunning sunrise, first time in several days. Overcast again now.

At Uoleva anchorage. Another cloudy day here but rain has stopped. Been watching lots of movies with the dreary weather! This morning some patches of blue sky are showing through. Plan to move south to Tofanga Island today if continue to improve.

Still at Uoleva anchorage. Had rain, heavy at times overnight. Light showers on and off this am.

15-17kt, ESE to SE, 100% cc. 1016.0 Bar.

Hanging out with Marilyn off Uoleva Island. Some showers yesterday. A bit rolly last night.

12-17kt SE, 99% cc, bar 1016.7, 22 degrees

Anchored off Uoleva Island.

10-13 SE, 90% cc, 1017.1 bar, 24 degrees.

Still at Nukunamo. Heading to Pangai today.

Calm, clear, Bar 1017.4, 26 degrees.

Anchored off Nukunamo Island in the northern Haapais. Enjoyed a beautiful day paddle boarding around the lagoon to the east of Foa in flat calm conditions and exploring the beach. Much the same planned for this morning.

Calm, clear, Bar 1017.4, 26 degrees.

Anchored off Nukunamo Island in the northern Haapais. Enjoyed a beautiful day paddle boarding around the lagoon to the east of Foa in flat calm conditions and exploring the beach. Much the same planned for this morning.

Had a pleasant sail down yesterday close hauled in variable winds from the E. Saw a big humpback surface on his way north yesterday!!! Anchored off Nukunamo Island, just north of Foa Island. Very calm now with the sun peaking through the mostly cloudy sky. Plan to paddle into Nukunamo and do some snorkeling over the bommies around the anchorage.

Had a pleasant sail down yesterday close hauled in variable winds from the E. Anchored off Nukunamo Island, just north of Foa Island. Very calm now with the sun peaking through the mostly cloudy sky. Plan to paddle into Nukunamo and do some snorkeling over the bommies around the anchorage.

In Nieafu. Moving to Port Maurelle today and plan to head down to the Ha'apais tomorrow.

Weather: 8-10 kt SSE, 99% cc, 1014.5 Bar, 23 degrees, humidity has dropped.

In Nieafu on a mooring. Had a few showers overnight and this am.

At Mounu Island, #41. All is well on board.

Weather: 8-10kt SE, 90% cc, bar 1013.5, 25 degrees.

Status: Anchored off Kenutu Island (#30). Had a lovely afternoon here. Scattered showers this am but looks like it will clear up.

Anchored at the Ark Gallery (#11). Had some rain off and on yesterday. Humidity high. Clear this morning other than a few thunderheads. Heading to Kenutu today. All is well on board.

Weather: 5-15 it ENE, 100% cc, 1014.7 bar, 25 degrees, humid.

Status: Moored in Nieafu. All is well.

Motoring into Nieafu. Had 20-22 kts, ENE all day with 3m seas. All is well on board.

Anchored off Nukunamo Island in the Ha'apais. Caught 2 mahimahi on the 6 mile trip up here. :-) Leaving for Vava'U this morning. Expecting 20-25 kt, with rough seas. Hopefully it will be a quick passage!

Weather: 17-20kt E, 40% cc, 1016.8 Bar, 24 degrees.

Status: Anchored off Lifuka by Ha'apai Beach Resort. Debating when to head north to Vava'U.

Weather: 10-15kt with gusts to 20kt E, 100% cc, 1019.0 bar, 24 degrees

Status: Anchored by Uoleva Island. Squalls rolling through.

Anchored off Uonukuhihifo Island in the Ha'apais.

Anchored off Nomuka Iki in the Ha'apais. Squally conditions this morning.

Weather: 12kt E to ESE, 10% cc, 1018.1, 21 degrees


Heading: 040T


Speed:6.0Kt


Status: Motor-sailing. Heading to Ha'apais.

Anchored off Pangaimotu Island, Big Mama's. Moving north to the Ha'apais later today or early tomorrow.

Anchored off Pangaimotu Island, Big Mama's.

Anchored off Pangaimotu Island, Big Mama's. A trough came through over the last 36 hours with heavy rain (filled our water tanks). Winds backed around, westerlies in the 20 knot range yesterday. Calm, sunny and cooler this am. Had to throw on a blanket last couple nights (no sympathy expected)! :-)

Anchored off Pangaimotu Island, Big Mama's. Expecting rain shortly.

Anchored off Pangaimotu Island, Big Mama's. Excellent sail down last night, with 10-15kt easterlies, then NE. The wind dropped to 5 kt from the S just north of Tongatapu. Glassy conditions this morning.

Anchored off Uonukuhihifo Island. Excellent snorkelling here. Joined in on the beach party with the ICA Rally last evening. A downpour over night. Will head further south today, when the cloud cover clears a bit.

Anchored off Uonukuhihifo Island, all alone for the moment. Went a shore and saw evidence of pigs and cows. We did spot a pig last evening. ICA Rally is coming here today and have a beach bbq planned this evening, so the anchorage is going to fill up! Clouds are moving off after a couple days of showers and clouds.

Weather: 5-7kt ESE, 100% CC, 1012.8 Bar, showers off and on

Status: Anchored off Uoleva Island. May head down the chain if weather clears.

Weather: 10-13kt SSE to SE, 100% cc, 1013.1. Showers just started.

Status: anchored off Eulova Island.

Anchored off Uoleva Island. Beautiful calm day. Several boats here. The "Sea Change" cafe-bar ashore makes an excellent Pina Colada! Going for a walk to the other side of the island this morning. Beautiful powdery sand beach lines the shore as far as one can see.

Anchored off Ha'apai Beach Resort on Lifuka Island.

Anchored off Foa Island.

Anchored at Foa Island with two other boats. We aren't alone anymore! More pleasant conditions since the wind picked and humidity dropped a bit.

Fairly calm and clear here off Foa Island. Yesterday, we had a calm day, and went diving with Matafonua Lodge and later snorkeling on the bommies around our anchorage. A bike ride and paddle-boarding planned for today. Can you tell we are enjoying it here?

Calm and sticky here off Foa Island.

Weather: 15kt ENE, 20%cc, bar 1017.1

Status: Anchored in 3m off Foa Island, next to Matafonua Lodge. Darren from the resort escorted into the anchorage yesterday, good thing with some bommies to avoid with extremely low tide yesterday. Going for kite lessons today.

Weather: 14kt E, 1m swell, 5% CC, 1016 Bar

Speed: 6kt

Heading: 190T

Status: Sailing to Ha'apais. Fishing lines out!

A calm sunny day here. Will be checking out today and head to the Ha'apais this weekend.

Beautiful morning here in Nieafu.

Grateful to be on a mooring in Nieafu. Had a "power wash" last night and now getting a "blow dry"! Had torrential downpours from noon yesterday through till dawn so our top side is finally free of the salt crystals from our passage over two weeks! Even rough with white caps in the harbour today as the winds roar down from the NW. Looks like the clouds are breaking up a bit now and the sun is peaking through. Had to keep the hatches closed and enclosure zipped up so it was pretty "steamy" inside the cabin. So glad we are here, instead of in the Ha'apais!

Weather: 10 kt NE, 100% cc, bar 1009.9

Status: Moored in Nieafu.

On a mooring in Nieafu, Vava'u. Red sky this morning! Glad to be here. Just started spitting as we entered the harbour, but rain looks imminent.

About to pick up a mooring in Nieafu, Vava'u.

Left Ha'apais at mid day and heading to Vava'u.

Left Ha'apais at mid day and heading to Vava'u.

Left Ha'apais at mid day and heading to Vava'u.

Anchored off Ha'afeva. Anchorage was rolly, lucky to be on a cat. Will decide this morning if we need to sail up to Vava'u to find better protection or if we can stay in the Ha'apai for the approaching low next Monday/Tuesday.

A ferry delivering goods and people anchored off the island last evening. Lots of little boats came from the outlying islands to meet the ship. Logistics of servicing these islands is not easy.

Anchored off Nomuka Iki. Winds have dropped this morning.

Had a close reach up yesterday with 17-22knts from the ENE and 3m seas from the E, a bit rough! Leaving Tongatapu, we caught a mackerel tuna with very red meat. Does anyone eat that fish? Caught a lovely Mahimahi on the way into this anchorage. We chose to dine on the Mahimahi last night! Quite windy overnight. As expected, this anchorage is pretty exposed to the ENE to E winds, but fairly protected from the swell.

Anchored off Pangaimotu (Big Mama's). Winds have dropped this morning. Pleasant looking morning. Going to town to pick up our visa extensions and passports today. Plan to head to Nomuka Iki in the Ha'apai Group tomorrow.

Anchored off Pangaimotu (Big Mama's). Yesterday, we had showers, so the boat got a wash. Trade winds are back, wind generator doing a great job of keeping the batteries charged.

Anchored off Pangaimotu (Big Mama's). Yesterday was sunny, calm, warm and humid.  The bay was like glass.  Had a shower this morning, but it is starting to clear up now. Enjoyed lunch with a few other yachties yesterday at Big Mama's. Numerous locals were over to the island to relax and enjoy their Sunday off. Walked around the little island at low tide. 

Anchored off Pangaimotu (Big Mama's). Sunny and almost clear today. Winds have died down.

Took the Pangaimotu ferry into town, did some shopping for groceries and this and that. Good produce market. A new battery for our dinghy engine was acquired. We hope it will work. We went to Customs to check out so we could leave for the Ha'apais on Sunday. Although it was never mentioned by the official before when Monty said he wanted to stay 3 months, this time the official told us that we have to go to immigration to get the visa extension. We were told we can only get an extension in Tongatapu or Vava'u, not in the Ha'apais. We wanted to get that out of the way so that we can stay in the Ha'apais until mid-June, when our friends arrive in Tongatapu. We went across town to Immigration to get our visas extended. The extensions would not be ready until Wednesday, and they held onto our passports. Apparently they were doing us a favour to do it that quickly, as the paperwork normally takes a full week. So we had to go back to Customs and cancel our planned check out. Here till Wednesday at least. A good day to go up the mast and figure out what is causing our anchor light to flash on one side. Maybe walk around Pangaimotu at low tide.

Anchored off Pangaimotu (Big Mama's). Winds are veering gradually to NE. Went for a snorkel yesterday. Felt like really we arrived in the tropics!

Anchored off Pangaimotu (Big Mama's). Winds are veering gradually to NE. Went for a snorkel yesterday. Felt like really we arrived in the tropics!

Anchored off Pangaimotu (Big Mama's). Spent a comfortable evening and night here, still windy. Winds are veering gradually.

Docked in Tongatapu, awaiting Health official who didn't make it to our boat yesterday. Should be all done by 9am this morning. Two other boats, Nelly Rose and Harlequin are here with us. We will move to anchorage at Big Mama's today.

Anchored in Tongatapu. Arrived at sunset, after bucking waves on the channel into Tongatapu, 15 miles took 5 hours, in 28knots on the nose. Celebrated arriving and went to bed! Will check in today. All good on board!

Sailing. 193nm VMG in 24 hours. Very bouncy out here. Almost there. About 45 miles to Tongatapu Harbour now. Looking forward to a hot shower and some peaceful rest tonight.

Whistler is hanging in there and we are hanging on! Hope to arrive in Tongatapu on Monday late or Tuesday am.

All is well. Hope to arrive in Tongatapu on Monday.

All is well. Hope to arrive in Tongatapu on Monday.

Sailing on a starboard tack, waiting for the wind to back to the SE so we can head more toward Tonga. All is well on board. Saw a few albatrosses yesterday. Warming up, 22c in the cockpit this am. Raoul 110 miles to our east.

Motoring with mainsail up. Slow Progress in last 12 hrs. 130 NM in 24 hrs. Decided to make some easting as winds are expected to go ESE as we approach Tonga. Hopefully these northerly winds will switch around to the west and SW soon. Going to try to speed up today and head directly to Tongatapu.

will be making some easting to make the proposed the track to Tongatapu a bit easier in the east quadrant winds

Motoring. Sailed all day yesterday and now 270 miles from Opua. Saw the green flash last night. All is well on board. Dawn is breaking, some rays are breaking though the clouds.

After a slow start out of Opua around noon with light southerly winds, the winds have backed to the SSE and now SE. Progresthago are nearby and Capitaine Cook, a cargo ship, is steaming by on route to Suva. Nice moonset and starry sky last night.

Leaving Opua today. Heading for Tonga with a stopover in Minerva Reefs if conditions allow. All good on board. Our blog is svwhistler.com.

In Opua, waiting for a weather window.

In Town Basin, preparing to leave soon. May go to Opua first and then plan to sail to Tonga.