Opua to the kermadec Islands to minerva Reefs to fiji / 1,150nm / 22 Jun - 5 july 2024

14 days / Cat O expedition / Event #2416 / TE KAIHŌPARA & Silver Fern: CREW full waitlist only

The Category 0 ocean expedition from Opua, New Zealand to Raoul Island in the Kermadec Island Group, the Minerva Reefs and finally onto Fiji is a true adventurers expedition. We depart Opua in the Bay of Islands and head 540nm northeast to the Kermadec Islands. The islands are uninhabited and the northernmost outpost of New Zealand. They have been used as stopover points since as early as the 10th century.

We’ll anchor and go ashore to explore, Raoul Island (if DOC approval is granted)* before setting off on for the next stop 330nm further north to anchor for a stopover at the stunning Minerva Reefs.

These two submerged atolls have been the subject of many shipwrecks over the centuries with some still visible inside of the reefs. We’ll anchor inside the reefs and go on a night time hunt for fresh crayfish before continuing on the final 420nm leg to to the Vuda Marina, Fiji.

Secure your place on the crew with a 20% deposit.

Join crew

SHARED CABIN: AUD$8,750 (PER BERTH)
PRIVATE CABIN: AUD$23,625 (INCLUDES 3 BERTHS)

14 days

The 1,150nm route from Opua to the Kermadec Islands, Minerva Reefs and Fiji

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

Click the links above to review examples from previous sailing events across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

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 travel to Opua via Whangarei or Keri Keri Airports on or before the 22nd of June 2024. When you arrive we'll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment and you will join us for a crew welcome dinner. Our crew will reassemble on the 23rd of June and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) late on on the 23rd or early on the 24th of June 2024.

We will clear Customs and then depart Opua and sail northeast towards the southern end of The Kermadec’s for an overnight stop* to go ashore (if permitted by DOC). When we depart Raoul Island we’ll sail past the other islands in the group, before setting a northerly course for the Minerva Reefs. We’ll aim to visit both of the Minerva Reefs, where we’ll anchor in the lagoons, explore the reef at low tide and relax. The final 420nm leg is to the Vuda Marina, in Vuda Point Fiji.

You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive in Opua, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 22nd of June, you will need to arrange accommodation ashore. You can stay onboard when we arrive in Fiji and depart out of Nadi Airport on or after the 5th of July 2024.

Inclusions

Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals in Opua and in Fiji, accommodation onboard, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina fees, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow and towel is also included along with suncream.

*The stopover and shore visit at Raoul Island is subject to Department of Conservation approval based on the volcanic risk rating at the time. Safety is always the first priority when assessing risk to the crew and vessel.

Exclusions

Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. You will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent at least 1 month prior.

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.