Year 3 -14 April 2026 - Faadipolhu Atoll – Diffuschi – Kagimer Lagoon – North Male Atoll – 47nm Maldives

We woke to another pleasant day and had our usual breakfast but we were now beginning to run out of fruit.

We had been fine in the night and were no closer to the bommies. The anchor came up fine and we edged out of the reef into deeper water.

We had to go West somewhat to get out of the atoll where there was a pass and this was about 10nm away. We put up the main and motor sailed as we could not sail on the angle. Our direct route meant there were some small reefs and rocks from time to time so we have to negotiate our way through them.

J and Stig put out the fishing lines and we were hopeful of getting some fish today for supper.

We eventually came to our waypoint and could clearly see the waves breaking over the reef and the lighter blue water. Once we were through the pass through the reef we could turn South and so we could sail fully. Although the wind was relatively light 5-7 kts we could still sail and put out full main, genoa and staysail. We were soon sailing along nicely at about 5-6 kts and we was saving fuel.

We sailed for about 5 hours with the wind ranging from 4-9.5 kts and it was very peaceful and enjoyable. We chatted, rested and did 2-hour watches. We were now between 2 atolls and there was little swell and little traffic save for the odd cargo ship and ferry. It was warm but there was a nice breeze to keep us relatively cool.

We sailed well and then approached the other side of the Gaafou reef which we had anchored in when going up to Anhenunfuschi but on the other side (West) of the reef. As we approached we decided to bring down the sails and motor the last part to our proposed anchorage which was just inside the North Male atoll at the Kagimer Lagoon. There were lots of fishing boats fishing on the outside of the reef at Gaafou and we wondered whether we should be doing that as you do not see any fishing boats trawling like we are. We had had another day of no fish unfortunately.

We passed Gaafou and then went through the Kragi Pass into the North Male atoll (Male is on its Southeast corner) and just inside is a small island and inside that is a narrow pass through the reef into the Kagimer Lagoon.

We motored round and there were no marks at all. I looked at the satellite images on my phone and could see the pass on it and with our eyes we could see the pass due to the changes in colour of the water. I knew from No Foreign Land that the passes lowest depth was about 3m. I lined up and we slowly entered the pass and you could see the depth drop dramatically. The lowest it went was 3.1 and then we were through. I could see the coral either side as we went through. Once through the depth climbed again and we could see a boat on the sandy island at the end of the lagoon. We also saw a sea plane waiting which later took off.

We could just about see the bottom and anchored in. sand in some 8m of water so we put out 30+ m and it held well with our reverse tests. There was plenty of space to swing. There were some small bommies around on the bottom but quite low.

Once we were sorted we all had a dip and I went to check the anchor. I could see the chain and followed it but I could not actually see the anchor as I think it was buried in the sand. I was satisfied we were ok and were in no danger of wrapping the chain round a bommie.

Miranda, J and Stig swam over to the sandy island and walked around it. They were sorry to report lots of rubbish washed up on the island. However, it was a beautiful spot and we were surrounded by clear blue water around the whole lagoon.

We enjoyed a sundowner on the aft deck being fanned by the gentle breeze. Keith and I made a chilli which we had with rice and Kale (from Anhenunfuschi) which people seemed to enjoy.

J & Miranda get off on the 16th and are spending a few days at a resort island called Baros. Tomorrow will therefore be their last day. We plan to go to an anchorage nearby.           

 The picture of today is J & Miranda on watch.

 Need/Opportunity Year Three

I will be going shortly from India to the Maldives and then on to Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK. 

I am looking for one crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town (mid-June to end of July). 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