Naivivi Bay, Qamea Island
17 June 2015
We chose Naivivi Bay at Qamea Island as a starting point for a Southeast journey to the Lau Group because of where it is situated, but also because big winds and seas were forecasted prior to the Northwesterlies we were waiting for. Naivivi Bay also offers excellent protection from nearly all directions and is a recognized hurricane hole. So after a benign four hour passage from Viani Bay (and careful scrutiny of Curly Carswell's waypoints [Fiji cruising advisor & New Zealand expat], we wedged ourselves safely between the reefs, avoided the scattered coral heads and slipped between the 2 posts marking the entrance of the narrow inlet. Our anchor was nicely positioned between the shoal and reef, and we set well in 49 feet of good holding mud. On a side note, it's quite shocking how inaccurate the Raymarine charts are in Fiji waters, as up until now - across all of the destinations in our journey from Canada, our charts have been reliable. Here in Fiji you really need supplemental charts, local knowledge, google earth images, and a person at the bow to navigate safely. (Subject for another blog.)