Year 3 -12 June 2026 -Grand Baie- Port Louis-Mauritius
We woke at a reasonable time as we were leaving today to go back to Port Louis as we have to go there to check out of Mauritius. We had our usual fruit and granola breakfast as the day warmed up.
I then went through the boat with Keith, Hisham and John and then as a crew we went through our emergency procedures and I issued life jackets and lifelines.
We then got the dinghy on the davits having taken off the engine and prepared the boat. Hisham and John went through the daily checklist as this was a good opportunity for them to get to know the boat more.
High water was at 10.55am so we got ready to lift the anchor at 10.30am and by 10.45am we had lifted it and were ready to go. We therefore slowly motored out of the bay this time going further right as Louis the manager of the yacht club had suggested. All was well until we were level with the shallow patches we had come through before but then it got too shallow. I reversed and then decided to follow our track from the way in and we passed through without any issues and were soon in deeper water. The wind was light and coming from the East Southeast and I decided we would motor round the reef first before getting the sails up.
It was a lovely sunny day and there was little traffic other than a few small fishing boats. We had seen the party cats leave earlier. Once round the reef we got the main up in full and the genoa. Despite the fact that we only had about 8-10 kts of wind we were soon sailing along nicely on a broad reach doing 5-6 kts. It was great to be on the move again and to feel that motion of sailing, the slight lift and then lowering in the swell.
John decided to put out a fishing line but alas we did not catch any. We could see Port Louis in the distance with the industrial outline of cranes and dock paraphernalia quite evident even from several miles away. We sailed on trimming and showing the new guys how things work.
Joyce made lunch -egg mayonnaise and salad sandwiches which went down well. As we approached Port Louis the traffic increased and there were a number of tankers and cargo ships moving about and we had to be careful as it was difficult to tell who was going to anchor and who was going into the port. As we got closer to the entrance we called up Port Control to seek permission to enter the harbour which was granted although they did not answer immediately. We therefore took the sails down and motored towards the entrance buoys passing two enormous tugs who were hovering to help various ships. There were pilot boats buzzing around and a Mauritian naval ship keeping an eye on port movements.
As we motored in a cargo ship went in front of us and we tucked in behind. I therefore asked for the lines and fenders be prepared for a port side mooring. I hoped that the wall just inside the basin would be free but as we approached I could see it was occupied and the only space was where we were before. We therefore turned round in the basin and reversed in and moored in our previous space. We sorted ourselves out and connected the electricity.
I had in fact tried something different when we started the generator by using the lifting pump (which warms the glow plugs and brings in fuel) only for 5 seconds before trying to start it and it started immediately. I think I have resolved why it did not start straight away.
Once we were ready Keith, Hisham and I went off for an ice cream.
The speed log did not work on the way from Grand Baie as it must have clogged up. We therefore emptied the locker and I got it out. It is always a tricky job as the spout of water when you take out the log (as it goes through the hull) is quite string so I out goggles on so it would not go in my eye. It was clogged so we cleaned it and put it back. Keith and Carolyn cleaned the deck and we filled the water tanks.
When I went to pay for the mooring the marina suggested I should have cleared in with customs. However, the agent said this was wrong. He asked us to be ready and at the quay where we arrived at 8.30am and hopefully we can have a speedy get away. I had contacted Des and he had given us a forecast which was light winds like we had today for our crossing to Reunion but strengthening a little overnight and nothing really of concern.
Once we had done all our jobs we showered and headed for a local bar for a sundowner and then we went to the courtyard restaurant we liked and had a great meal together.
We hopefully leave Mauritius tomorrow. It has been a pleasant stay and enabled me to get my eye done which seems to be doing well. The people have been friendly and welcoming on the whole. There is quite a bit to see and the beaches and coastline very attractive. There are probably too many resorts but it seems to be a wealthy island. It would not be top of my list but a pleasant destination to have spent time in.
The picture of the day is of all of us having a sundowner.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
I am now in Mauritius and will be going to Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK.
I have now found additional crew for Mauritius to Durban. There may be space from Durban to Cape Town from about the beginning of July and we should arrive in Cape Town on about 25-30 July 2026. If at all interested contact me on my email below or WhatsApp +44 7931360372.
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