Itinerary
Draft - Subject to minor changes
Leg 1 Brisbane; Opua, Auckland, NZ – May 5 to 23rd May - If you are after a demanding ocean passage, warmer and shorter than Leg 2, here it is! This 1500 mile Tasman crossing, which is an area of some volatility of which May/June is the calmest time. Our departure date will be flexible and carefully chosen to make for the most comfortable crossing. Upon leaving Brisbane We will sail SSE to the northern edge of the 40 degree parallel. Here we hope to catch the westerlies far an exhilarating sail across the Tasman to round New Zealand’s Cape Reinga before sailing south to Opua (Bay of Islands). The coastal passage from Opua to Auckland is renowned for some to the best sailing in the world! Total distance 1800 miles.
Leg 2 Auckland, NZ; Rurutu, Papeete, Tahiti – 24 May to 22 June - This is the longest and most exhilarating passage of the voyage. Skirting the Roaring Forties in an area of fast-moving fronts before blast-reaching up to Rurutu in the Austral Islands and then on to Tahiti, providing an introduction to tropical cruising. Total distance 2,700 miles.
Leg 3 Papeete, Tahiti; Rarotonga, Cook Islands – 23 June – 16 July – Arriving just in time for the Hieva Festival, this leg showcases the best sailing and most beautiful islands in the world. It offers a comprehensive overview of tropical passage making starting with an afternoon sail to Moorea, an overnighter to Huahine, day sails to Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora and Maupiti. When we reach tiny Mopelia you will be well prepared for the 550 mile passage across the South Pacific Convergence Zone to Rarotonga. Total distance 900 miles
Leg 4 Rarotonga, Cook Islands; Niue, Nuku‘alofa, Tonga – 17 July – 8 August - Following a fast 600 mile broad reach from Rarotonga, we look forward to landfall at Niue, known to be the world’s smallest and friendliest island nation. We should enjoy a couple of days of swimming with humpback whales (if we’re lucky), snorkling (maybe Scuba) and cycling before heading west to explore the islands of Tonga. Total distance 950 miles.
Leg 5 Nuku’alofa, Tonga; Suva, Lautoka, Fiji – 9 August to 26 August - After exploring Tonga we will once again head west through the windward islands of Fiji to clear customs at Suva. We can then spend many glorious days sailing around the Fijian islands ending up in Lautoka. Lautoka being near the Nadi airport making a very convenient crew change location. Total distance 600 miles.
Leg 6 Lautoka, Fiji; Tana, Port Vila, Vanuatu – 27 August to 14 September - If fast downwind sailing, interesting and unusual islands and culture plus great weather appeals, check this one out. Following a 550 mile broad reach we’ll clear at Aneityum, Vanuatu. A fast 50 mile downwind passage will see us anchoring in the shadow of and visiting the very active Mt. Yasur volcano. Erromango Island will be our final stop before zooming downwind to Port Vila. Total distance 800 miles
Leg 7 Port Vila, Vanuatu; Loyalty Islands, Noumea, New Caledonia – 15 September to 5th October - Exhilarating sailing, difficult navigation and coral piloting plus exotic islands highlight this leg. After a 220 mile passage we’ll make landfall and explore the isolated Loyalty Islands. Then we will visit the spectacular Isle of Pines before tackling the Havannah Pass to Noumea. “The Paris of the South Seas”. Total distance 500 miles.
Leg 8 Noumea, New Caledonia; Brisbane Australia – 6th October to 27th October - Setting off from Noumea we will visit several islands that sit inside the world’s second largest barrier reef, possibly visiting the Isle of Pines a second time before departing on the last passage to Brisbane. Fast sailing and possible heavy weather challenges in an area of fast moving fronts. Sailing through the North East Passage into Moreton Bay. Total distance 1000 miles