Best laid plans… I’d spotted a bay on the north end of Ogea Driki, the island south of Ogea, and reckoned we could get in there (from the water colour). Alas, others thought the same. When we stopped at the village to say our goodbyes etc, the French headed directly for my chosen spot!

After a very calm night at our anchorage, we left early this morning (high tide), and followed our track back out. We thought about going into the same bay, but the Chief’s son had told us it was small and would only hold a few boats. Knowing that Bia would be empty (as every boat moved yesterday), we opted to head back there.

The wind has tended west, which would make Bia uncomfortable - especially with the reef being low on that west side, and indeed - there would be swell getting in here but its low tide at the moment. My reading of the forecast suggests the wind will continue shifting around to the south by this evening making this a very comfortable spot.

As you can see, the wind is piling this way at the moment, but the shallow islands to our west are protecting us nicely. We have Bia all to ourselves at the moment, which is very nice indeed.

Our shortcut to the village by dinghy sees us head down Bia bay until just before the final lagoon where we turn right and go through this narrow cut.

About an hour either side of high water, we can zoom through here on the dinghy on the plane. Its great fun and shallow even at high tide…

We’ll probably stay here a couple nights and then head north..