02 Jan 2011 – remain at Neil Island. Eng hours: 1825.5. Beautiful sunny weather, no swell in the lee of Neil.
Relaxed day at Neill Island, nice beach with stone arches, but pretty brutal walk/swim across shallow, drying, jagged coral to reach the shore. Saw school of large fish with something like a rhino horn – very ugly. Were eating stuff off the coral at the bottom. Ian snorkeled to the northern sandy beach and found tourists. Payal and I went south past two rock arches to a wide, shallow bay. Met fishermen along the way who use crabs as bait. Payal started watching Tropic Thunder, but got distracted by our new success in fishing. We decided to use soya balls which were not the most delicious for eating, but the fish seemed to like them ok. Water so clear you can see the fish milling around the line. Need sinkers. Black reef fish were very effective at taking the bait but not the big hook. Caught three small red/orange reef fish, perhaps 6-in long, not great eating. Made moong dal and marinated fish for dinner. Decided to do the long passage to Rutland South Bay at night as a night sailing experience for Payal. Adam and Payal to take midnight to 4am, Ian on 4am to 8am.