Wreck of FV Takuo
Nomuka Iki is a small uninhabited island just off Nomuka Island. The larger Nomuka Island is inhabited, and somewhat like Ha’afeva, the area around the two islands provides safe anchorage in various conditions. So we stopped – planning to stay only one night – on our way south.
Our winds and the seas were from the southeast. The wind held our bow to the southeast, and a reef in front of the anchorage dampened the seas considerably. It was not a bad anchorage, even if a bit bumpy. But we felt secure.
Nomuka Iki has plentiful papaya, coconut, and mango trees on its shore just off where we anchored, but we did not go harvest any. Also on this near shore is the remains of an old prison and the wreck of the Takuo. The Takuo was a fishing vessel that foundered on Hakaufisi reef during a storm, and some of the men on board were lost. The hull later washed ashore on Nomuka Iki where it remains as a reminder of how treacherous these reefs can be.
Because we had planned to stay at Nomuka Iki only one night, we did not launch the dinghy. But we heard on the SSB radio that the anchorage at Kelefesia – our next planned anchorage – was full (that is only three boats in that tiny anchorage), so we stayed another night. We planned to leave at 5:00 am local time, so we still did not launch the dinghy.
All we saw of Nomuka Iki was from our boat, and it was a beautiful island. Reportedly there is decent diving on the other side of the island, but it was too bumpy to go out there, so we passed by another opportunity…
Return to our Tonga page, our Ha’apai page, or follow us to Kelefesia.
Another beautiful sunset