Year 2- 24 September 2025 –Benoa Marina -Bali
We woke at a reasonable time and I noticed a bit of a swell which was the water coming over the reef. We had a light breakfast and coffee and upped anchor from the bay about 8.30am. The windless was working a lot better. It was already getting hot and we motored out of the bay and between the buoys we had come in the night before.
There was lots of activity going on with boast whizzing here and there. We were sent a message on the plotter from Bali VTS saying they were monitoring us and could we contact them. I therefore contacted them on VHF and explained that we were going to the Benoa Marina.
We motored out from the buoys and then along the reef line to the channel which leads into Benoa Harbour. We picked up the red and green buoys demarcating the channel and entered the channel. There were lots of boats around and clearly this was a commercial port from the boats we saw ahead. The marina was off to the right and I could see some red floating floats which were hung across its entrance. I called on channel 12 but there was no answer so I messaged on WhatsApp my contact who had sent me the map and position where we were to go. He messaged that they would remove the barrier.
I then saw it being pulled back and then there was a very long pontoon which I had to reverse down right to the end. We were prepared and some guys took our lines. We sorted ourselves out and we were here. It was not really a marina as such but a series of long pontoons with a number of boats moored. I went ashore to explore and there was a shower and some toilets but also what looked a nice bar with chairs outside and a small plunge pool. There was security on the entrance so it looked quite safe.
The ladies went to explore further and I sorted out the boat with Mark and then I began to complete my packing. Mark, Ruth and Janet went to the plunge pool and I later joined them and they were sitting in the pool having a beer. I joined them and we then sat outside and we then had some lunch.
I had prepared a list of jobs I would like done when I was away and also a suggested provisioning list. I went through the lists with them. I then got in a taxi and was off to the airport to fly home for a positive and fun reason namely my brother Jeremy’s wedding. I left Stormbird bobbing in the sun on her mooring in their capable hands.
The picture of the day is Stormbird at her mooring in Bali.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Chagos, Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK. I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.
The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com