Our final days in Auckland (this visit) were highlighted by windsurfing lessons for Dalton, Hall and Caroline & wind foiling lessons for John; final boat repairs, a quick trip to Albany for a refrigerator spare part, and one last grocery run and library visit. We quickly latched on to our windsurfing instructor, Pete, and shimmied our way into his schedule before he knew what hit him. Dalton and Hall quickly developed an affinity and love for this new sport! We return to Auckland for a few days later this week for a few more lessons before we’re off again. 

In Albany, we went to buy fins for snorkeling and we found the most precious purchase yet: Snuggies! I rarely take mine off (sorry, John) when the wind picks up. They’re hideous and fabulous, all at the same time.



Our first anchorage was a couple of hours east of Auckland in Islington Bay, Rangitoto. Rangitoto is a volcanic island with lava caves and an epic summit hike, which we unfortunately did not experience, mostly due to Hall’s morning toe injury while anchoring.  We spent most of the day cleaning and organizing lockers with fishing, snorkling and windsurfing equipment. We did laundry and took the dinghy to the beach for shell, snail and rock hunts. We explored on the paddle boards and made homemade pizzas for dinner. The next morning, we headed to Woody Bay on Rakino Island. Dalton and Hall took the dinghy ashore and discovered a rope swing and a colony of snails, which kept them entertained for a couple of hours. More paddle boarding and snorkeling before evening fishing and dinner on board. 

This morning, 28 March, we took the dinghy ashore and went for a beautiful hike. After a bit more paddle boarding, we pulled up anchor and motored over to Oneroa Bay, Waiheke Island. There are multiple other boats anchored here, as it’s a popular destination for locals and visitors, alike. Also, the southwest wind and rain that are predicted for this evening leave few surrounding options for a decent night’s sleep and sound anchorage. 

The homes here are simple, yet stunning, and all have unobstructed views of the gulf or the bay. We see few other catamarans- mostly monohulls- and the farther away we get from summer, we see fewer and fewer other boats with children. 

Dinner tonight will likely be the remainder of our fresh veggies and something from the freezer that I create as I go. This dinner medley is becoming the norm, as I can cook one thing at a time in the oven and use one wok that takes up about 3/4 of the stove’s surface. No complaints from the crew, thus far…

Tomorrow morning, we’ll head west to Auckland for meetings with several trades on the boat, another grocery run, and windsurfing/foiling lessons. I think everyone is looking forward to dinner reservations in town tomorrow! More of the same on Thursday, before  we head out for the Mercury Islands! 

Until next time,

s/v Nogal