Sailing Vessel Pogeyan: North Minerva Reef 2019

Our stops in June

We stopped at both North and South Minerva reef twice this season. Once in June on our way to Tonga and once in November on our way back to New Zealand. Each visit presented new friends and adventures. We always look forward to spending time here. The coral and fish life are healthy and abundant. The crystal clear water, isolation from everything, constant ocean roar and sharks make it a favorite.

To read about our adventures at both reefs on the way to Tonga click here. Here

Our stop in November

It took a little less than 3 days to sail from Tonga to Minerva Reefs. We ran out of wind the last 8 hours which was just as well. We needed to slow down so that we could enter the reef with good light. We also prefer to drop our anchor where we can see an open patch of sand.

There were already about 15 boats anchored in the North reef. Another dozen or so showed up in the next few days. We have never seen so many boats at Minerva. It was nice having other boats to share the unique Minerva experience. We made more new friends over the next two weeks than we did all season in Tonga. In Tonga's Ha'apai group we were usually the only boat at each anchorage. We aren't complaining. It is nice to have an island to ourselves. But, it is also good to share experiences with fellow cruisers too.

You can make out the reef by the breaking waves on the left.

All the boats were here at Minerva for the same reason: they are waiting on a weather window to continue to New Zealand. Most of them left Tonga at about the same time. It was a pretty tight group that graciously accepted new people into the fold. Every morning there was a weather discussion on the VHF hosted by Tim on Pakelea Loa. Tim would listen to weather forecast and analysis on the shortwave radio and then relay the information to all the other boats over VHF. Then we would all discuss the weather and potential passage windows.

Look at all those masts.

One of the catamarans graciously hosted a potluck dinner for anyone wanting to join. There were 42 people at the gathering pushing the cat to its space limits. We had a great time hanging with our new friends and meeting even more people.

This little community went on for 9 or 10 days. We started calling ourselves the Minerva Yacht Club. We left after 7 days to enjoy some time down at Minerva South reef.

One morning Michelle found a small bird was sitting outside the front window. It didn't look at all like a seabird, but we had no internet to look it up. Fortunately, our friend Vandy on Scoots is an avid bird watcher. Rich sent her a photo of the bird via satellite email and asked if she could identify the bird and suggest something we could feed it. Vandy identified it as a Pacific golden plover. It's a land bird that migrates every year between the Arctic tundra of Siberia and Alaska and New Zealand. This little guy must have been separated from his flock somehow. Rich named him Freddy. (Freddy the freeloader)

Looking out the salon window and I saw this sweet face!

At first Freddy stayed outside away from us. But then we started noticing that he had been inside the boat we were out snorkeling. There were tiny little droppings down in a cabin and ant traps that were flipped over. Then he seemed to disappear. We met up with some friends on the nearest boat and learned Freddy had visited them as well. The next morning there were more signs of Freddy on board again. Later that day were were both in the main salon as the sun was setting. Suddenly, Freddy flew into the cockpit, hopped down the 2 steps into the salon and stood right there looking at us. He then walked right past Rich and down into the cabin below he had been in earlier. Like he owned the place!

So we left him/her/it down there to rest. Michelle put out plates with a variety of food including sesame seeds, raisins, granola, oats and crushed peanuts. No sale. Next she tried tuna, raw fish, bread crumbs and finally fresh papaya. Still no takers. But he did come back up to the salon later in the evening and was pecking around the floor. Then he noticed his own reflection in the stainless steel refrigerator door and started staring at himself for long periods. Any time he would pass by something chrome-plated he would freeze for a bit. He stayed up with us for a couple of hours.

Freddie down in her cabin which happens to be Rich's workshop!

At bedtime Michelle moved him to the cockpit since he was pooping all over while walking around exploring the boat. In the morning he was still out there and it was obvious he had eaten the tuna, raw fish and papaya! This was about when we received the email from Vandy. She said they don't usually eat during their migration since they fly non-stop. So, that is probably why he wasn't eating at first.

Unfortunately, the story of Freddy doesn't have a happy ending. Rich was opening hatches and sorting equipment on the rear of the boat since he was taking a bunch of other boats on a lobster hunt. This must have scared Freddy because he jumped into the ocean. Not good. Vandy told us Plovers are strictly a land bird. They don't have big webbed feet for a water takeoff. Michelle tried to grab him but he kept backing up. We left him be thinking he must have a plan. He was bobbing around behind the boat for a half hour then he was gone. We hope he somehow made it out of the water and back to NZ.

Later that day Michelle was relating the story of Freddy to a lady from a German boat. Michelle was telling our sweet but serious new friend that she hoped Freddy would be OK. The lady simply stated: "Oh no. He won't make it." Michelle was crestfallen. A young German crew on their boat was watching this cultural exchange with a grin and stated dramatically: "Oh, the cold, wet blanket of German honesty!" Rich was cracking up over that for several days...

Meeting Lady Star

When we arrived at Minerva the boats were anchored on the far side of the reef to get the smoothest water. But since the winds were light we decided to anchor right inside the entrance for quick access to outside of the reef. All the best snorkeling is on the outside. We were anchored by ourselves for a day then Lady Star arrived and hove too outside the reef waiting for daylight. At first light then came in and dropped anchor near us. When went over the next morning to invite them snorkeling with us they were thrilled.

Rich had met them walking around Nukalofa the day before we left Tonga and he was happy to see them again. We had a lot of fun with these 3 guys from Norway over the next several days. Ralph, Frank and Thord explored the outside the reef with us and we met up for some walks around the edge of the reef at low tide.

Walking on the reef at low tide with Thord from Lady Star.

From the above photo you get an idea how close we were to the edge of the reef. I was walking along looking in the water and I saw many cool things. A shark laying on the bottom, huge fish darting about and then I saw what looked like a huge snake. So I put my hand in the water with the camera to get a photo. It was a huge eel swimming around with the most unbelievable skin pattern I have ever seen on an eel. I was behind it getting shots and Rich told me to run ahead to get his face. I tentatively stuck my hand in front of it hoping I wouldn't get bit. I didn't and I managed to get his face.

This is the shadow I saw looking into the water.

Stuck my hand in and got this shot of his body.

And finally, his face!

As we walked back the water was getting deeper again covering the reef back up.

Rich went out with Lady Star and another boat Tribasa Cross (that had a couple of young swedish guys as crew) to go lobster hunting and came back with a prize. They caught a lobster for every boat and 1 to spare. So that evening we were invited for a BBQ on Tribasa Cross. They cut the lobster in half longways and everyone gorged.

Look at the size of that lobster.

Close up.

Rich is holding the tail open. The lobster will snap it shut on your fingers and could do some damage if not careful.

Frank and Thord (LadyStar) and the cook is Gustav from Tribasa Cross

Ralph (Lady Star) and Sven (Tribasa Cross)

The finished product

And after dinner a lovely sunset.

Each morning we listened to the daily weather discussion before heading out to swim. Rich announced that we would be walking across the reef then jumping in to swim outside the reef. And of course looking for lobsters. Three boats joined us and we had a great time. Tribasa Cross, North Star and Greyhound joined us. The location that we walk across is where the reef is narrow so it is a shorter walk to the outside. We took the dinghys in until it got too shallow then we anchored and walked to the edge of the reef.

There are finger channels cut in the reef that make a good place to get in safely. The waves break on the edge of the reef and dissipate as they go inward. So you can squat down with your fins in hand and either jump or ease in the water. Then hurry up and get your fins on so you can swim away from the breaking waves. It works really well because the grooves are just wide enough for your body and very deep. And the underwater side of these grooves is a site to see. It is beautiful. A group of huge parrot fish hang out here, we all see large game fish and sharks.

You have to be careful walking on the reef. There is live coral and sea creatures to watch out for. The green is alive and there are often clams, starfish, urchins and sea cucumbers laying in the cracks.