From 25 October, Grand-Bassam holds Abissa. It is the new year of the N'zima Kôtôkô people, and it is the reason I mentioned the date in the last log.
Captain's Log
After more than thirty years as a professional yacht captain — from the early days sailing off South Africa, through busy charter seasons in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, to captaining M/Y Labrador — I'm now preparing the next adventure on the Ébrié Lagoon in Abidjan.
These logs are my personal reflections, plans, and stories as I build Captain Murray's — intimate, relaxed experiences aboard practical pontoon boats, with dreams of classic restorations further down the line.
Come sail with me, in words for now.
Captain’s Log 011026 – October on the Lagoon
01/10/2026
October is not the start of the dry season. That comes in December. This month is the short rains.
People looking at a day on the Ébrié often weigh the same thing: take the boat as their own, or share it with others.
Captain’s Log 210926 – Life Along the Lagoon
21/09/2026
Most people come to the Ébrié Lagoon for the water. That is fair. The open stretches, the mangroves, the light at the end of the day — that is what they picture first.
A lot of people expect a simple price: two people this, four people that, six people something else.
I have added a new page to the site.
Most of our charters on the Ébrié Lagoon are designed as single-day experiences — sunset cruises, fishing trips, or full-day runs to Jacqueville and Assinie. But they don't always have to end the same evening.
Most of our guests come for a sunset cruise or a few hours on the Ébrié Lagoon — and that's always special. But some people want a longer day out on the water.
There's a part of the Ébrié Lagoon that has always stayed with me from my own visit.
It's been really rewarding to see the first charters happening on the Ébrié Lagoon, even while I'm still here in Ireland. Every trip gives us new insights, and we're quickly learning what works best for our guests.