It’s a bit strange to be less than 50nm from our destination, but still not be sure where we’re going.
The small island nation of Niue lies on the western edge of the central Pacific basin, and we’re hoping to stop there for a visit. The catch is that there are no all weather anchorages on the island, only one shallow bay on the western edge side of the island.
That’s a great option in the prevailing easterly trades, but not good if the wind turns west, as it does when a front travels north from New Zealand. And just our luck, one of the global weather forecast models shows a front with its associated westerly winds arriving soon after we do. With 250nm of nothing but open ocean to the west of Niue, that means there’s a risk of significant waves rolling through the anchorage – at best, a very uncomfortable prospect.
So should we stop, or should we keep sailing the extra 250nm to reach a well-protected anchorage in Tonga? You’ll know as soon as we do…
All’s well aboard.
Day Five
18 48.5S 168 41.7W
200nm
