As 2024 comes to a close, we are approaching the Equator.

After looking around parts of Pulau Gam for a few days in calm conditions, we had a little bit of NE breeze, that dropped and came back as southerly as the morning heat built. Intending to move only 15nm to Wofoh, the breeze was too good to waste, so we continued on another 15nm towards Kawe, on the Equator.

The southern end of Kawe is mountainous, covered in a massive tin mine, The resulting water quality not great. There have been numerous sightings of crocodiles reported in this area, and apparently the turbid water encourages them, so we were not tempted to get into the clear water of our anchorage in the northern bay of the island. As we came around from the southern side of the big island of Waigeo, it became apparent that we were at the northern end of Indonesia, with no more islands to protect us from the swells of the North Pacific Ocean rolling in. This is really the first ocean swells we have experienced since crossing the Wide Bay Bar back in southern Queensland.

On approach to the anchorage, we were paying close attention to the latitude being displayed on our navigation instrument panel, as the thousanths of a minute of latitude clicked away to zero, We pulled up to get a better view of the line on the water, before continuing on to find a calm shallow spot to anchor for the night.

The next morning, we travelled back to the equator to inspect the monument that is erected there, and had to deal with the swell surging up on to the beach.

The next day was New Years Eve, and we continued on to catch up with the big party of yachties that was gathering at nearby Wayag.