Daniel's Bay

Hi everyone,

After completing our reprovisioning, refueling and touring in Taiohae we sailed the 6nm W to Daniel's Bay.  This is a much nicer anchorage, although still a little rolly.  And the small village ashore has potable fresh water available close to the creek mouth there.

There was a 2m swell and 15G20 E wind for our quick passage.  Entering the bay is quite interesting with the swell bouncing off the rocky shore producing a 'washing machine' sea state.

Taiohae to Daniel's Bay track

Departing Taiohae

Approaching Daniel's Bay

Entering Daniel's Bay

Anchored in Daniel's Bay

After arriving we filled our water tanks from jerries, freeing them to be refilled ashore.  For our first night we were alone in the anchorage.

On day 2 we dinghied ashore an hour before high tide.  The creek and village are in the western bay while the anchorage is in the eastern bay.  We got in to the creek without incident, using our outboard, managing to avoid the rocks at the river mouth.  Once in, and with a high tide we continued up the creek to the landing.  What a spectacular place! 

Zen Again in Daniel's Bay

Entering the creek

Heading W up the creek towards the landing

Water tap in the barn close to the landing

We spoke with the family which owns the land and they gave us permission to fill our water jerries.  Having done so we then headed back out.  Unfortunately we struck a rock at the creek mouth and sheared off one of the two Torqeedo propellor blades.  We managed to limp back to Zen Again.  Happily we had a spare propellor aboard which we fitted.

On day 3 I dinghied ashore with another two jerries.  This time I rowed across the creek mouth and to the landing.  Rowing in was harder than rowing out due to the creek's outflow.  Later on day 3 our friends on sv Apres Ski arrived.

On day 4 we dinghied ashore with the Apres Skis.  The tide times were difficult so we only had half tide.  The water was very shallow over the rocks and we paddled over them.  The water was shallow in patches all the way to the landing.

Once ashore we spoke with the local family and they directed us to the other families which sell fruit, provide meals and collect the fee to walk to the waterfall.  With all that arranged we headed off along the walk.  Nicki and I only walked to the lookout from where the waterfall is visible.  The Apres Skis went a little further - to the signs warning of falling rocks!

Old village house

Village Chapel

The first river crossing

The rocky path

Waterfall Lookout

Tiki just outside the village

Back at the village I filled another two jerries, giving us full tanks and all but one full water jerries.  Shortly afterwards the Apres Skis arrived and we enjoyed a great mid-afternoon meal of tuna, salad, breadfruit and plantain chips, followed by flambeed banana.  Very nice indeed.

View towards the bay from the village

Heading home

Nicki hitched a ride with the Apres Skis while I rowed the water jerries home.  We then had a great sundowner aboard Apres Ski.  It was fun spending the day with them again.

So now we're fully restocked for the Tuamotus.  And there's a very good looking weather window.  For our last night in the anchorage there were six boats present.

Trust all's well where you are!