From Nouméa to Santo: a round trip to Vanuatu

A round trip between New Caledonia and northern Vanuatu aboard myCloud: Nouméa, Efate, the islands leading to Santo, then back via Efate to Hienghène. A cruising story, written stop by stop.

Nouméa → Efate → Epi → Ambrym → Malekula → Santo → Efate → Hienghène

Leaving Nouméa

The last checks are done the day before: engine levels, filters, lithium bank status, safety kit, weather. The logbook is up to date, every ticked item carries its date. In the morning the mainsail takes a reef to be safe and the bow points east of Vanuatu, in a steady trade wind.

Efate, first stop

After a few days at sea, Efate takes shape on the horizon. The entrance to Port Vila calls for care, then come the formalities, the market and the first swims. It is also the moment to note engine hours and check levels before heading north.

The islands between Efate and Santo

Epi, Ambrym, Malekula: each anchorage has its own character. Clear water, sandy bottoms, welcoming villages, volcanoes smoking on the skyline. Nights at anchor set the rhythm of the cruise: check the anchor, watch the wind, and the logbook keeps track of every stop.

Santo

Santo is the northernmost point of the trip. Diving, walks, provisioning: a long stop that is also used to take stock of the boat. Water and energy use are logged, and a short list of jobs is noted for the way back.

Back via Efate

The way back follows the same islands, with fresh eyes: this time we stop where we ran out of time. At Efate we refuel, check the rig and wait for a good weather window.

Heading for Hienghène

The last crossing leads to the east coast of New Caledonia. On arrival, the cliffs and the bay of Hienghène mark the end of the trip. What remains is to write it all down: engine hours, incidents, items to fix at the next service.

What the logbook recorded

The stops, in order, with their dates.
Engine hours at every departure and arrival.
The checks done before each passage.
Faults to deal with on return.

Trip album

A few pictures taken aboard during these weeks of sailing, from the helm to the stopovers.

A crew member in foul-weather gear at the helm of a catamaran under sail, blue sea and sky with small clouds — At the helm, under sail

A catamaran seen from the front, mainsail raised, a crew member on deck and the French flag aft — Heading offshore, sail up

Large trees on the edge of transparent turquoise water, green reflections and sky in the water — Mangrove and turquoise water

Turquoise water and coral blocks seen from above, purple plants in the foreground and a hazy island in the distance — The lagoon from the cliff

A plate of fried fish, rice and chips with a glass of orange juice, facing a blue lagoon — A tasty stopover

Silhouettes of palm trees and a straw parasol facing a calm sea, orange sky at sunset — Evening falls on the beach

Two glasses clinking on a beach, low sun and reflection on the water, footprints in the sand — Cheers

The white deck of a catamaran in the foreground, two rock stacks and a coast under a cloudy sky — The rocks from the deck

Dark silhouette of two rock stacks against a low sun, golden halo over a calm sea — Backlit on the way home

Note. This story is a cruising outline written to show how the logbook is used. Dates, durations and distances are deliberately left out. See also the boat specification sheet.