Kingdom of Tonga discovery cruise / 500nm / 1 - 13 June 2024
13 days / cat 3 Island cruising / Event #2415 / Salt lines: CREW full waitlist only
The Tongan archipelago consists of 169 Islands and just 36 are inhabited. The archipelago is spread across approximately 700,000km2 of the South Pacific Ocean. There are three main island groups, Tongatapu, Ha’Apai and Vava’u and they offer some of the best blue water sailing in the world. Steeped in history, this unspoilt Polynesian paradise is also the last constitutional monarchy in the Pacific.
Situated in the trade wind belt, Tonga combines warm weather with gentle easterly winds with sailing between the myriad of islands, reefs and secluded anchorages.
Secure your place on the crew with a 20% deposit.
The Ha’Apai Island Group lies north of Tonga’s Capital
AUD$8,750
13 days
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Click the links above to review examples from previous sailing events across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Expedition description
Arriving in Nuku’alofa, Tonga’s capital on the main Island of Tongatapu, a short boat ride will take you to the tranquil Island of Pangaimotu, where we will be anchored for our first night, crew welcome, dinner, briefing and familiarisation.
The following morning, we will sail north toward to the Ha’Apai Island Group. Haʻapai comprises 51 islands that lie directly west of the Tonga Trench. They constitute a chain of both volcanic and coral islands, including Kao, the highest point in the kingdom, which stands 1,046 metres (3,432 ft) high. Seventeen of the islands are inhabited, including the main islands of Lifuka and Foa.
The tranquil Island of Pangaimotu
There are several options for anchorages in Ha’Apai on our journey North Vava’u:
Kelefesia: arguably the jewel in the crown of the archipelago. Kelefesia is the southernmost Island in the Ha’Apai group.
Nomuka: Nomuka is 7 square kilometres in area. It has a large brackish lake (Ano Lahi) in the middle, and three smaller lakes; Ano Ha'amea, Ano Fungalei and Molou.
Uoleva Yacht Club: Located in the middle of Uoleva Bay, it’s a welcoming place for yachties and offers cruiser information for Ha’api/Tongatapu. Activities include whale swimming, scuba diving, vegetables from the garden for sale, a beach bar with daily happy hour, coffee/cakes, pre-arranged BBQs, potluck dinners and WiFi.
Port of Refuge: Arriving in the Port of Refuge, which is a 5nm long, deep water harbour on the South coast of Vava’u, we will head ashore to explore the second largest town in Tonga; Neiafu.
Mariners Cave, Nuapapu Island: For those who are adventurous, stronger swimmers, this is a cave whose entrance involves a 3m deep underwater swim. Once inside, the cave opens into a spectacular vista.
Port Maurelle, Kapa island: A beautiful sheltered anchorage.
Mariners Cave, Nuapapu Island
Port Maurelle, Kapa island
HERE’S WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE ONBOARD
Sailing: Hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, spinnakers, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather).
Watch duties: Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls.
Weather: Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to destination.
Navigation: Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
Leadership: Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.
Safety: Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.
Training: Use of PDF’s (Personal Flotation Devices), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoy’s, storm drogue, liferaft and any other equipment required to ensure you remain safe in all conditions.
Personal wellbeing: Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.
Passage planning: Planning our arrival and route to safe harbour including timing with daylight (if required), weather factors, navigational hazards, communications / customs and sail/motor arrival plan.
Click the links above to review examples from previous sailing events across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Itinery
You can fly directly into Fuaʻamotu International Airport, Tonga on or before the 1st of June 2024. A short boat ride will take you to the tranquil Island of Pangaimotu where we will be anchored for our first night and you will join us for a crew dinner onboard.
When you arrive we'll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment. Our crew will officially assemble from the 2nd of June onwards at Pangaimotu and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) around midday and sail north toward to the Ha’Apai Island Group. You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive, but if you plan to arrive prior to 1st of June, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore.
The goal is to circumnavigate the Ha’Apai and Vava’u Island Groups over the following 11 days, stopping daily at selected bays, attractions and islands en-route. We will aim to sail back into Pangaimotu on the 12th of June and you can stay onboard on before departing out of Fuaʻamotu International Airport, Tonga on the 13th of June.
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals in Tonga and various stopover ports, accommodation onboard, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina fees, the use of a PFD (personal flotation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow and towel are also included along with suncream.
Exclusions
Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear.
Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility incase of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.
Review sailing calendar for all events