Cruising Report On Niue

Created by doina. Last modified on 2007-07-26 15:11:56
Countries: Niue

We arrived on the W. side of Niue on July 11, 2007 and found ourselves in a most uncomfortable anchorage, but in a few days the swell turned moderate and disappeared. I joined the very helpful Niue Yacht Club for $20NZ and have been treated as an old friend. Every kind of courtesy has been extended us, including rides, picking up propane tanks and delivering them back, hot showers, plentiful water and a fun party or two. As the bottom here is not favorable to anchoring, the Club has fifteen new moorings. Each mooring is removed each year for inspection and the mooring lines are spliced and not knotted, for extra strength. Their condition is as new. The moorings are on a first come first served basis. Because of the occasional swell, all dinghies are lifted by an available heavy crane that we operate at any time of the day or night, so one needs to have ropes to attach equally to three corners of the dinghy. The website is niueyachtclub.com. On Niue are fabulous limestone formations along the cliffs and quiet pools in which to swim. I was fortunate in being able to photograph many whales, including one breeching. My crew and I have been after lobster along the reef, doing dives here and enjoying the wonderful hospitality of the NZ ex-pat community and the warm Polynesians themselves. Diesel is $2.10 per liter, NZ (about .85c to the USD). The yacht club is on the main street and Jim and Mamata run Mamata's Restaurant and the yacht club is a part of their restaurant. One leaves valuables at the restaurant during the day. Car rentals are $55NZ and there is no insurance available, so everyone drives carefully on this island. Wonderful place. I own and sail Flight, a 49' HR ketch.

James Gardner