We didn’t want to stay anchored in Khuntz bay. In addition to the flies, the anchorage was just not great. We had trouble setting our anchor, and it just didn’t seem like enough space for the 5 of us. And the depth varied greatly! And we’re in a location where we can’t really trust the charts. So… It was a lot more than just pesky, disgusting deer flies that brought us to move along.

Anyway, the 1.5 hours to butedale were beautiful. Butedale is on Princess Royal island. The whole island seems to be epic.

The plan is to circumnavigate Princess Royal and then make our way back South.

Right before Butedale, we saw some Humpbacks and Rachel got her first photo of a humpback breach!! It’s really tricky to get because it happens so fast and when you’re driving the boat, and on a schedule, it adds variables.

Rachel and Brian smiling for a selfie in the cockpit with mountains and American flag on the passage to Butedale

View from the bow of SV Yahara approaching Princess Royal Island on a beautiful clear day

Maui the dog relaxing on a blanket in the cockpit during the golden hour

Snow-capped mountain peak visible behind forested islands near Princess Royal Island

Rachel smiling with her camera in the cockpit, ready to photograph humpback whales on the passage to Butedale