Sea Cloud was launched at Marsden Cove, ready to sail north to Opua. We just needed a weather window. It was great to be back sailing on Sea Cloud, one year after arriving in NZ.

A pod of dolphins welcomed us to beautiful Whangamumu. They spent each afternoon frolicking around the yachts in the bay. Shame the water was too cold to swim with these playful friendly creatures.

Whangamumu is a beautiful, peaceful bay, with great, almost all round shelter.

Ashore is an old whaling station and spectacular walks.

Reluctantly leaving Whangamumu, we had a very pleasant sail around Cape Brett to reach the Bay of Islands to take shelter before the next strong wind warning. Strong winds seem to be very frequent in this part of the world right now!

We managed to drop anchor off Bay of Islands Marina just before it started to pour.

Fortunately the weather changes very quickly in this part of the world.