After my first taste of the islands of Nell pass we were anxious to get back for more.  So, over the 4th of July long weekend I sailed back to Nell pass and anchored between Enmat and Eneuro islands.  This anchorage reverses for about 45 minutes during each tide change which means anchoring bow and stern in about 45-60 foot of water but the bottom is sand with good holding.

 

I arrived at about 3pm and were treated to a wonderful sunset over Eneuro Island.  The sandy beach directly across from the boat is nice powder sand and there is a long sandbar out into the water.  Botany Bay is anchored in about 25' of water with both the bow and stern hooks in 45-60' of water.  The water rapidly shoals near shore comming from 12' to 5' in just a couple of feet. 

The view out the windows in the morning was spectacular.  The weather was somewhat unsettled all weekend but we enjoyed it just the same because with a raised salon sailboat you don't have to be on deck to enjoy the view!

As Botany Bay drifts around on her anchors the view out the windows changes continuously with a slightly different view all of the time.

 

On the other side of the boat w have Enmat island.  This is the oceanside island while Eneuro is a small island just inside of Nell pass.

Another view of the sparkeling water of Eneuro island.  You can just make out the step in the water depth just before getting to the beach.  The tidal range is about 5 feet and at high tide the entire beach is submerged up to the tree line.  However, at low tide the beach is exposed and even better, there is about 2 to 3 feet of water over the coral making for spectacular snorkeling.

Here I am looking North from the anchorage across at Enmat island. 

Here you can see Enmat to the far right, then Nell Pass, then Nell.  On the far left is Eneuro and then Bikenell further to the south.  You can see the coral comming off Eneuro out into the pass as well as coral comming off the tip of Enmat.  Nell has significant coral comming up north into the pass.  The actual pass itself is deep, about 50 feet or so.  The color is the best indicator of the depth being good.  The Coral off of Eneuro comes up vertically from 50' which would give no warning at all using a depth sounder.  There are no lights in the pass.

Another view out of the portlights of Botany Bay onto this island paradise. 

Sunrises are also beautiful.  Here we are looking off the bow of Botany Bay into nell pass as the sun is rising over Bikenell.  I have some more pictures of this area as the sun rises on another page. 

The return trip to Kwajalein via South Pass was a bit interesting.  There were thunderstorms coming through about every 45 minutes or so.  I was talking to Pacifica who was anchored off Bigej Island which is on the windward side of the lagoon and even ended up calling our friend Kelly Carpender at Aeromet to find out what the weather was going to be like coming through South Pass.  I ended up with about 40 knots of wind in the pass with 8' seas in a pass which is 20' deep!  It was "interesting", but I did make it back to Kwajalein in time for the "parade of sail" and the evening fireworks.  It was another interesting voyage of the sailing vessel Botany Bay!