Sailing 70 miles upwind in rain and fog, we’re chasing a rare weather window to reach one of Fiji’s most remote gems—Vanua Balavu, the Northern Lau. 

We’re sailing east against the trade winds, trying to make our way back to the crown jewel of Fiji, the Lau Islands.  A light wind period is allowing us to day hop this tricky route from Naviti to Taveuni, where captivating coral reefs rise from the depths like crystalline daggers— a hidden danger stunning in their beauty, yet poised to cut through the unwary hull of any passing boat. 

On our upwind journey to the Marquesas for cyclone season we hunkered down in Tikehau, waiting for squally weather to pass. It gave us time to reflect and see these moments for what they are, not interruptions, but life, real and raw.

Our search for the trade winds continues as we sail across the Pacific Ocean. Light winds shift to higher winds which morph into squalls taking all the wind with them upon departure.

We left the mooring in Jamestown planning to sail our Seawind 1600 catamaran 60 nautical miles to Nantucket. Little did we know Newport wasn’t quite ready to see us go. The fog blanketed the bay so densely we could barely see in front of the boat. So we turned around and gave it a go the next day.