Captain’s Log 270726 – The Quiet Magic of the Mangroves

27/07/2026

There's a part of the Ébrié Lagoon that has always stayed with me from my own visit.

Not the wide open water or the city skyline in the distance — but the quiet mangrove channels.

When you leave the busier areas and slip into the narrower waterways, something changes. The noise of the city fades. The water becomes stiller. The air feels cooler and heavier with the scent of salt and green. Tall mangrove roots rise out of the water like ancient sculptures, and the only sounds are birds, the soft slap of water against the hull, and the occasional call of a kingfisher.

These mangrove forests are far more than just beautiful scenery. They are the living heart of the lagoon — natural nurseries where young fish, including juvenile barracuda, find shelter among the tangled roots until they are strong enough for open water. The whole system supports an incredible amount of life, from birds and crabs to the fish that local communities rely on.

From the photos and feedback the crew send me after each charter, I can see the same reaction in our guests. People go quiet. They put their phones down. Some just sit and stare. Others start pointing out herons standing motionless in the shallows or the way the light filters through the leaves.

For me, these moments are the purest part of what we want to offer. Not every charter needs to be full of activity. Sometimes the best experience is simply being still in a place that asks you to slow down.

Whenever conditions allow, the team tries to include some time in the mangroves. It's one of the things that makes a day on the Ébrié different from anywhere else I've sailed.

There's a quiet magic here. And once you've felt it, you don't forget it.

Captain Murray The Uncharted Waters – Ébrié Lagoon, Abidjan