Each year cruisers set out across the Pacific pursuing the dream of sparkling lagoons, white, sandy beaches and colourful coral. However, inexperienced crews can underestimate tricky lagoon passes, run into coral heads or end up anchored on a lee shore after wind shifts. For some, the dream of the South Seas ends in a nightmare of boatyard repairs or even wrecked on a reef.
So, should we give those turquoise atolls a wide berth? Absolutely not – it just takes some preparation, caution, and a good dose of common sense to minimise the risk and live the dream.
LAGOON PASSES
Tide tables can often be unreliable, and the times of slack water are influenced by many factors. During and after a period of strong winds and/or high swell, the water level inside lagoons is generally higher and the outgoing current stronger, which may persist even during the rising tide. It is, therefore, wise to arrive in the morning to allow plenty of time to await favourable conditions.
Watch out for signs of current: churned up water and standing waves outside the
