The Sisters
In theory, rafting up overnight is more secure than anchoring, and therefore should be more restful. In reality, it introduces a whole host of new noises due to docklines and fenders squeaking and groaning between the two boats. Compounded by the hot, motionless air, it wasn’t our best night of sleep aboard Takamaka, especially for the three people sleeping on the staboard side of the boat.
After breakfast, just as the sun was starting to get uncomfortably warm, we loosed ourselves from the presidential yacht whose glory days were most likely long gone and motored out of the marked channel leading in and out of Baie Sainte Anne. A moderate southeastern breeze was blowing, and once we cleared Round Island, we hoisted the main and jib for a beam reach to The Sisters, the northernmost islands The Moorings recommends visiting, and only for daytime anchoring.
Ave Maria Rock
Little Sister
We enjoyed a little over an hour of virtually perfect sailing, then doused the sails in preparation for anchoring at the little islands. The Admiralty chart of 1892 refers to the islands as West Sister and East Sister, but modern maps refer to them as Petite Soeur and Grande Soeur. We ended up anchoring between the islands, closer to Grande Soeur.
Still not feeling terribly confident about snorkeling, I swam from the boat while most of the rest of the crew headed farther afield to check out the reefs closer to shore. Several other catamarans came and went while we were on the hook, as did some small powerboats carrying divers and snorkelers.
After everyone had had enough time in the water and were back on board, we motored around to the east side of the island to look at another beach, but opted not to drop anchor and instead motored south between Félicité Island and Marianne Island and around the southern end of La Digue and back up most of the island’s western shore to a tiny marina behind the same jetty that protected the terminal for the inter-island ferry.
Irina and Colleen
Joe at the helm
Mark
Robbi