• Sailing Tonga to Fiji

    Can you imagine? I’m looking out at the horizon, the sky is black, but littered with stars ablaze. The wind is gentle and we’re literally drifting through the night air. Suddenly I think I see a fire in the distance but we are already well offshore. The fire grows until it forms a huge orange circle in the sky and slowly turns into a more familiar full moon. This was one of the most amazing natural experiences I’ve ever had. To see the full moon rise over ocean near the equator is spectacular.

    Just when I was thinking it couldn’t get any better than this a pod of humpback whales appeared around us. I couldn’t see them but I could hear the water spouting from their blow holes under the moonlight. I woke Robin up to confirm I wasn’t dreaming, and thankfully they surfaced again minutes later. Special.

  • Kitesurfing in Tonga

    To be honest, in terms of kiting Tonga was a pleasant little surprise. We were there mid-May until the end of July and found enough spots to keep us throughly entertained. We joined the Island Cruising Association Rally (sailing from NZ to Tonga) and finished up at a place called Pangaimotu Island (aka Big Mamas). Big mams is named after a larger than life Tongan lady who not only lives up to her name but looks after yachties like they are her family. This island also became our first Pacific kite surfing spot. Here is a quick summary about kiting in Tonga.

    Pangaimotu Island

    As this island is a mere 10 minute boat trip from Nukualofa it isn’t as pristine as some of the other spots we have experienced. In saying this it is easily accessible and the fish life around the reef and wrecks is still fantastic. You could set up kites along the beach from Big mamas. We used a 12m kite as the wind was just pushing 15 knots. Contact us directly (http://windsquirrel.com/category/about-us/) for more details.

    Ha’apai Group

    Uoleva would be the place to go here, however because I was doing an assignment while we were in the Ha’apais we never got to see this spot in all its glory.

    Nuku

    Nuku is a wee island in the middle of the Vavau group, not far from the main town of Neiafu. While this spot was gusty if the wind crept too far around to the E, in a S-SE it was a beautiful set up and we had some great days here.

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    Kitesurfing Nuku

    KenutuThe absolute pick of Tonga. Pristine sand bank, incredible anchorage, edge of the earth feeling, and snorkeling and waves nearby. Good in lots of different wind directions. We kited here for about two weeks. The winds followed a distinct pattern in June and July where it would be windy for a week, then nothing for a few days. Apparently September is the best month but by that time we were already in Fiji.

    Kitesurfing near Kenutu

  • Crab

    Bella this is for you! The extreme potential of the go pro, our best footage from Tonga. Haha. But we’re getting better and aided by a screen which has helped us avoid catching footage of sky and horizon whilst a gigantic whale cruises past out of view. xx

    thecrab from Anna Cleal on Vimeo.