Crowded Honiara

Oct 14th

Honiara. After 4 hours of motor sailing in calm weather the last 20 miles that separate Tambea from Honiara, it was a surprise to find a crowded Point Cruz anchorage with a total of 10 yachts squeezed along the seawall! Once the KUNA found her perfect spot just near the police and navy wharf (dropped the anchor in 15 m of soft muddy sand on a slope, good holding!), it was so crowded that it would be hard for any new vessel to park. Two stern lines are a must to prevent shifting side ways in strong N-westerlies, which seem to happen daily at this time of the year. The Vanuatu police guys were quite helpful in helping getting the lines in, as it was rather tight to reverse the KUNA in and their police boat is made of glass ☺!!!

Safety.
The rest of the anchorage at Point Cruz is windy and exposed with poor holding and the three moorings already occupied. It’s not unusual to see some largish fishing boats dragging anchor as they don’t park so carefully, ans sometimes right infront of yachts so watch out!!! The police wharf provides good light at night, so additional safety to the first few yachts on this side along the wall.

Recently ( as I write this, Nov 6th), Black Billy had the bad luck to anchor out in the open, in the middle of the canoe passage for only a short time and after dark got robbed all their electronic gear. So stay aware, it’s Honiara after all, as benine as the place may feel, it is not always safe!