The trade is established n blows around 30k+ during 3 days; no way to enjoy any "average" anchorage:  we went to famous "MBAVATU" east anchorage; nobody there except a mooring in the middle of the bay; we prefer our anchor; one day this fantastic bay will be like SAVU SAVU: a buisness place -even pleasant- were you don't have any other choice than paying a mooring because there is no place to anchor anymore.

But this is a bit early for MBVATU: A lot of work has been done around the southbay to "organize the place" but a hurricane detroyed it n the"yacht club" is limited in 2018 to a dock for owners'boat, some guys busy with cattle, 2 emply houses on the top of the hill, and nice wooden steps connecting the shore . Whats suprised us is the apparent lack of life, particulary birds, in this still wild and perfectly protected bay: Time to walk on shore and out of the mooring with dinghy rides. Beaches on the windward side are often more attractive than on leeward...

We had to sail carefully along the coast, all the way to SUSUI,  a very nice village; the 2017 rallye left a kind of organisation , but the leeward location of SUSUI is a bit dissuasive: In the peak of the season,  and there is only one boat on this very good anchorage; the welcome was great but we could nt stay long enough to participate to crab fishing n left after a nice dinghy ride in the hidden lagoon; SUSUI is to our mind, a village not to miss in whole island.

MBVATU EAST BAY: prefect protection,...future marina  with a first mooring in the middle of the bay?

Only noise of this anchorage except a hooting: mullets feeding on the surfac

MBVATU south bay...so strange signs in this deserted place!

No customers, the staff worry about cattle n the 2 buildings

Other stygmates of recent cyclone

First sign of civilisation on deep east  bay: The mooring on the left of ALCYONE

Costal dinghy ride to "little bay": Here is a small fleet of cruisers

Coconut refill on outside beaches

Some signs, but watch is needed to sail on windward coast

SUSUI, a super anchorage, a super village...

Dinghy iride n the hidden lagoon