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| BUDD REEF, just east of Rabi. We waited in Albert Cove (Rabi) and then crossed at the Texas Pass Entered by the west passage |
We visited Budd Reef in June 2015. We had high hopes to snorkle the reef and hire a local to take us to Cobia Island where the view from the top of the volcano is supposed to be splendid. Well, the best laid plans... We crossed from Rabi on a windless day (perfect for our powercat) and had no problem threading the pass in calm conditions. However, the SPCZ was over us and we were socked in low clouds, poor visibility, and constant drizzle. Scratch Cobia!
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| The waypoints have been tested with DOMINO (1.2 meter draft) |
We explored all anchorages we had waypoints for. The SE swell seemed to rolled around the island, making the most popular anchorages Rolly and uncomfortable.
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| The Village (For Sevu Sevu - In the eastern hook) 16*29.960S - 179*41.290W The School (north coast) 16*29.698S - 179.41.767W The Bight (BudAnWest) - 16*30.096S - 179*42.121W The Best (BudAnBest - across from West Pass - 16*29.903S - 179*42.978W) |
We ended up dropping the hook on the western side, in a charming cove surrounded by a reefy plateau, with room for only one boat our size. In the morning, under even lower skies and more drizzle, we were gone!
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| South Pass - Always keep a good lookout! |
That's the extent of our cruising Budd Reef, and we itch to go back on a sunny day!
Until then...
dominomarie