BERTH AVAILABILITY
Updated January 26, 2010

For details and images from similar legs we sailed in 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2009 or visit Expedition Updates.

Auckland, N.Z.; Rurutu, Papeete, Tahiti Valuable storm sailing and weather plotting is guaranteed on the edge of the Roaring Forties in an area of fast-moving fronts before blast reaching up to Rurutu. This leg has proven more difficult than our Cape Horn-Antarctica 1996, providing winds to at least 65 knots on most of the 11 times we've completed it. Rarely visited and exotic Rurutu in the Austral Islands provides an introduction to tropical cruising. Total distance: 2,700 miles.

May 7-27, 2010 3 weeks $6000 Filled, 0 wait list

Papeete, Tahiti; Rarotonga, Cook Islands This leg showcases the best sailing and most beautiful islands in the the world. It offers a comprehensive overview of tropical passage making starting with an afternoon sail to Moorea, and 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, Mahina Tiare's homeport. Total distance: 900 miles.

June 7-28, 2010 3 weeks $6000 Filled, 1 wait list

Rarotonga, Cooks; Niue; Vava'u; Apia, Samoa Landfall after a fast, 600 mile reach will be at Niue, one of the world’s smallest and friendliest island nations, population under 1000. After a couple days of snorkeling, (optional scuba) cycling, exploring and visiting we set sail for Vava’u, Tonga, a cruiser’s mecca. This will be the first time we’ve visited these islands in 30 years, and we look forward to returning! The final 350 mile passage to Apia will be close-hauled or close reaching in often breezy conditions as we near the SPCZ.  Total distance: 1,400 miles.

July 8-22, 2010 2 weeks $5000 Filled, 0 wait list

Apia, Samoa; Niuafo’ou, Tonga; Wallis & Futuna; Savusavu, Fiji Great sailing conditions, difficult navigation and coral piloting make Leg 4 a perfect introduction to South Pacific cruising. Weather permitting; we may have our first ever stop at Savaii Island, followed by a 220 mile reach down to Tonga’s volcanic crater island, population 750. Wallis Island, a miniature Bora Bora will be reached after a 150 mile broad reach, followed by its lovely sister island, Futuna. Our most challenging passage of the year is the 260 miles from Futuna through the dangerous Nanuka Passage to Savusavu, Fiji. Poorly charted waters, strong currents, numerous reefs and the possibility of reinforced trades reaching 35-45 knots in the South Pacific Convergence Zone provide maximum learning potential. Total distance: 900 miles.

July 29 to Aug. 13, 2010 2 weeks $5000 Filled, 0 wait list

Savusavu, Makogai, Kadavu, Mamanuca, Lautoka, Fiji Not sure if ocean passagemaking is for you? Leg 5 provides an easy introduction to ocean cruising in one of the world’s most fascinating cruising grounds, starting with a long daysail, followed by two overnight passages and several more daysails with plenty of challenging navigation, watch-standing, reefing, coral piloting and anchoring experience. Look forward to tropical sailing, snorkeling, (optional scuba) hiking, delivering school and dental supplies and a feast with our extended Fijian family. Total distance: 360 miles.

August 20-30, 2010 10 days $4500 4 berths available

Lautoka, Fiji; Luganville, Port Vila, Vanuatu Challenging sailing, difficult navigation, tropical squalls and four distinctively different cultures make this a favorite leg of ours. Join us as Toto, our Ni-Vanuatu guide and friend and of many years takes us into primitive villages and to WWII wrecks. On Malekula we'll visit our Small Namba friends who will share traditional dances, meals and volleyball with us. Dentists are especially encouraged to join us on this leg where we hope to again conduct dental clinics for three villages as we did in 2004. Total distance: 800 miles.

September 13-27, 2010 2 weeks $5000 4 berths available

Port Vila, Vanuatu; Noumea, New Caledonia Leg 7 combines some demanding upwind sailing to dramatic Tanna Island, home of the very active Mt. Yasur volcano, and our first-ever visit to tiny Aneityum Island. The 270 mile passage to New Caledonia should be windy and fast and sailing from Havannah Passage to Noumea provides a difficult navigational challenge. Total distance: 500 miles.

October 4-14, 2010 10 days $4000 4 berths available

Noumea, New Caledonia; Norfolk Is.; Auckland, NZ Heavy weather challenges, an exciting mid-passage stop, weather permitting at rugged Norfolk Island where we'll visit descendents of the Mutiny on the Bounty from Pitcairn are highlights befoe a final passage and difficult and dramatic entrance to New Zealand's spectacular Bay of Islands. The coastwise passages south to Auckland provide extensive navigation experience and some of the best sailing we’ve ever seen anywhere! Total miles: 1,300

Oct. 25-Nov.12, 2010 18 days $6000 2 berths available

For details and images from similar legs we sailed in 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2009 or visit Expedition Updates.

Auckland, N.Z.; Rurutu, Papeete, Tahiti Valuable storm sailing and weather plotting is guaranteed on the edge of the Roaring Forties in an area of fast-moving fronts before blast reaching up to Rurutu. This leg has proven as challenging as our Cape Horn-Antarctica 1996, providing winds to at least 65 knots on most of the 12 times we’ve completed it. Rarely visited and exotic Rurutu in the Austral Islands provides a delightful introduction to tropical cruising. Total distance: 2,700 miles.

May 10-30, 2010 3 weeks $6000 6 berths available

Papeete, Tahiti; Rarotonga, Cook Islands Leg 2 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, and 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, Mahina Tiare’s homeport. Total distance: 900 miles.

June 10-July 1, 2011 3 weeks $6000 2 berths available

Rarotonga, Cooks; Apia, Samoa On a fast 260 mile broad reach from Rarotonga we anticipate again carrying mail and school supplies to tiny Palmerston Atoll, population 60. We plan to spend a day ashore on this, the smallest inhabited island in the Pacific before blasting off on a fast 300 mile reach to uninhabited and awash Beveridge Reef. An overnight sail brings us to Niue and after enjoying a couple days of cycling, snorkeling (optional scuba) and exploring, we sail 360 miles to Apia. Leg 4 provides intense coral navigation, anchoring and heavy weather experience in reinforced trades often reaching 35-45 knots. Total distance 1,150 miles.

July 11-25, 2011 2 weeks $5000 6 berths available

Apia, Samoa; Wallis, Futuna; Lautoka, Fiji Great sailing conditions, some of the most gorgeous islands in the world and three distinctively different cultures make this expedition and excellent introduction to ocean cruising. This leg includes the most difficult navigation (by far) with the 260 mile passage from isolated Futuna Island, through the dangerous Nanuka Passage to clear customs in Savusavu, Fiji, then, for our first time ever, we will sail over the top of Viti Levu to Lautoka, just north of Nadi Int’l Airport. Poorly charted waters, strong currents, numberous reefs and occasionally strong, squally weather in the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) provide maximum learning potential. Total distance: 900 miles.

Aug 2-17 2011 14 days  $5000 4 berths available

Lautoka, Fiji: Luganville, Port Vila, Vanuatu After a fast 600 mile reach we look forward to our first-ever visit to tiny Tikopia. Following a 300 mile passage SW, we will clear into Vanuatu at historic Luganville. On Malekula we’ll bring toothbrushes and school supplies to our Small Namba village who will share traditional dances, meals and volleyball with us. Total distance: 800 miles

Aug. 30-Sept. 13, 2011  2 weeks $4000 6 berths available

Port Vila, Vanuatu; Noumea, New Caledonia   Leg 6 combines some demanding upwind sailing to dramatic Tanna Island, home of the very active Mt. Yasur volcano, and a visit to tiny Aneityum Island. The 270 mile passage to New Caledonia should be windy and fast and sailing from Havannah Passage to Noumea provides a difficult navigational challenge. Total distance: 500 miles.

Sept. 20-30, 2011 10 days $4000 5 berths available

Noumea, New Caledonia; Brisbane, Australia Heavy weather challenges, challenging river-bar entrances and coastal sailing provide a wide range of experiences. Weather permitting, we will make landfall at Bundaberg and work our way down the coast to Brisbane. Total distance: 1000 miles

Oct. 10-24, 2011 2 weeks $5000 4 berths available

Brisbane, Australia; Lord Howe Is., Auckland, NZ We hope to stop at idyllic, tropical Lord Howe Island in the middle of our Tasman Sea crossing, weather permitting, before rounding the northern tip of New Zealand and clearing in at Opua. This will be the first time either of us has made this passage, and looking for the best weather window will be important. The Coastwise passages south to Auckland provide extensive navigation experience and some of the best sailing we've seen anywhere! Total distance: 1500 miles

Nov. 9-27, 2011 18 days $6000 5 berths available

For details and images from similar legs we sailed in 2000, 2001, 2004 & 2005, 2009 or visit Expedition Updates.

Auckland, N.Z.; Rurutu, Papeete, Tahiti Valuable storm sailing and weather plotting is guaranteed on the edge of the Roaring Forties in an area of fast-moving fronts before blast reaching up to Rurutu. This leg has proven as challenging as our Cape Horn-Antarctica 1996, providing winds to at least 65 knots on most of the 13 times we’ve completed it. Rarely visited and exotic Rurutu in the Austral Islands provides a delightful introduction to tropical cruising. Total distance: 2,700 miles.

May 10-30, 2012 3 weeks $6000 6 berths available

Papeete, Tahiti; Rarotonga, Cook Islands Leg 2 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, and 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, Mahina Tiare’s homeport. Total distance: 900 miles.

June 11-July 2, 2012 3 weeks $6000 6 berths available

Rarotonga, Cooks; Niue; Vava'u; Apia, Samoa Landfall after a fast, 600 mile reach will be at Niue, one of the world’s smallest and friendliest island nations, population under 1000. After a couple days of snorkeling, (optional scuba) cycling, exploring and visiting we set sail for Vava’u, Tonga, a cruiser’s mecca. This will be the first time we’ve visited these islands in 30 years, and we look forward to returning! The final 350 mile passage to Apia will be close-hauled or close reaching in often breezy conditions as we near the SPCZ.  Total distance: 1,400 miles.

July 11-25, 2012 2 weeks $5000 6 berths available

Apia, Samoa; Niuafo’ou, Tonga; Wallis & Futuna; Lautoka, Fiji Great sailing conditions, difficult navigation and coral piloting make Leg 4 a perfect introduction to South Pacific cruising. Weather permitting; we may have our first ever stop at Savaii Island, followed by a 220 mile reach down to Tonga’s volcanic crater island, population 750. Wallis Island, a miniature Bora Bora will be reached after a 150 mile broad reach, followed by its lovely sister island, Futuna. Our most challenging passage of the year is the 260 miles from Futuna through the dangerous Nanuka Passage to Savusavu, Fiji. Poorly charted waters, strong currents, numerous reefs and the possibility of reinforced trades reaching 35-45 knots in the South Pacific Convergence Zone provide maximum learning potential. Total distance: 900 miles.

Aug 2-17, 2012 2 weeks $5000 6 berths available

Lautoka, Fiji; Tikopia, Luganville,Vila, Vanuatu This will be our first-ever visit to tiny Tikopia, the most remote and exotic Polynesian island, and a fast 600 mile, four day sail from Fiji. After a 300 mile passage SW, we will clear into Vanuatu at historic Luganville. On Malekula we’ll visit our Small Namba friends who will share traditional dances, meals and volleyball with us before our final 200 mile passage to Vila. Total distance: 1000 miles.

Aug. 31-Sept. 14, 2012 2 weeks $5000 6 berths available

Port Vila, Vanuatu; Noumea, New Caledonia Leg 6 combines some demanding upwind sailing to dramatic Tanna Island, home of the very active Mt. Yasur volcano, and a visit to tiny Aneityum Island. The 270 mile passage to New Caledonia should be windy and fast and sailing from Havannah Passage to Noumea provides a difficult navigational challenge. Total distance: 500 miles.

Sept. 21-Oct. 1, 2012 10 days $4000 6 berths available

Noumea, New Caledonia; Norfolk Is., Auckland This passage, which we completed in 1998, 2003 and 2010 provides quite challenging weather and sailing conditions with the bonus of a mid-passage exotic landfall on Norfolk Island, home of most of the Mutiny on the Bounty settlers. The landfall in NZ’s sub-tropical and dramatic Bay of Islands is always a highlight, as are the excellent sailing conditions as we coast-hop down the North Island to Auckland. This is one of our all time favorite passages! Total distance: 1300 miles.

Oct. 12-30, 2012 18 days $6000 6 berths available