Huruhi Harbour, Great Mercury Island (Ahuahu)

Fri 20Mar2026 0230 UTC, S36 36.1 E175 46.6, Log: 10570

Running under symmetrical spinnaker through “The Hole in the Wall” along the Coromandel Peninsula of New Zealand’s North Island. Mercury Islands in the distance.

All is well. We are presently tucked into Huruhi Harbour on the west side of Great Mercury Island. We arrived after another great day of downwind sailing with just the symmetrical spinnaker, no mainsail, no daggers, in light southerlies, 8-10 knots, and a large SE swell.

“Needle Rock” along the “Hole in the Wall.”

Our intended anchorage of Peach Grove Bay had a healthy surge from the SE swell (as did all the south-facing anchorages). So, we motored up the west side of the island looking for a calm spot and found it here. We’re in the company of about a dozen other mostly local boats.

The Mercury Islands are privately owned (by Michael Fay of NZ Americas Cup fame). But NZ rules allow anchoring along its shoreline. We’ll visit the beaches while we are here. Mostly we are just getting used to life aboard again.

Generator: 903, Port: 1459, Starboard: 1459, Bar: 1015.6mb

Departed: Thursday 19Mar2026 2235 UTC.