Southport Island, Australia to MIDDLETON REEF, ELIZABETH REEF, Lord howe island & Ball’s pyramid to opua & Picton, New Zealand / 1,750nm / 2 - 21 Sep 2021

19 days / cat 0 ocean passage / CREW full waitlist only

Departing from Southport, on Australia’s Gold Coast , we’ll cross the Tasman Sea, one of the most revered Category 0 ocean crossings on the planet. With nothing but open ocean from the bottom of Australia/New Zealand to Antartica; 1,000nm to the south, the ocean swell can build in height with no land to stop it for more than 2,500nm until it hits the shores of the Pacific Islands. There are many reasons why more people have climbed Mount Everest than have sailed across the Tasman Sea and the rapidly changing nature of the Tasman Sea's weather system is one of them.

Ashore on Elizabeth Reef 300nm east of Australia

I have sailed across the Tasman Sea as skipper nine times (two solo), the keys to success include waiting for the weather window, downloading live weather en-route and sailing a vessel thats easy to mode for all wind and swell conditions. Despite its reputation for extreme conditions, the Tasman Sea is easy to cross safely if you stay clear of the winter storm season (late May to early August) and wait for a safe weather window. It’s an absolute bucket-list voyage and a hugely satisfying personal achievement.

Tasman Sea sailing on a warm summers day

We'll depart Southport and set a course for a sail past of Middleton Reef, before anchoring and going ashore at Elizabeth Reef. Then it will be onto Lord Howe Island, where we will tie up on a mooring in the lagoon overnight (if border rules allow) before completing a sail past of the unique Balls Pyramid, stretching almost 500m out of the ocean and set a course for the top of New Zealand's North Island for the destination of Opua set in the famous cruising grounds of the Bay of Islands.

Our days at sea on the Tasman Crossing count towards our 14 days of required quarantine. On arrival in Opua, we will clear customs, complete our final 1-2 days quarantine (after the 12 day crossing) and then depart for Picton at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, set in the Marlborough Sounds.

Note: You have the option to disembark Silver Fern at Opua if you don’t want to complete the extra leg to Picton.

Secure your place on the crew with a 50% deposit. The final 2 berths on this passage has been discounted by $1,000.

COVID STATUS: Crew bookings open to Australian residents of QLD, ACT, TAS & NT and New Zealand residents only. We complete our 14 days quarantine on the Tasman Crossing as days at sea are counted.

The 1,750nm route from Southport to the ‘two reefs’, Lord Howe Island, Ball’s Pyramid, Opua and Picton.

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Normally AUD$8,750

19 days

Note this passage has been discounted by $1,000 to $7,750.

ADDITIONAL MEDIA

Check out photo gallery highlights for previous Tasman Sea passages.
Watch the highlights videos from my double Tasman Sea crossings.
Download the e-book version of: Sailing the Tasman Sea that I wrote in 2014.
Read the blog articles published by Lena Padukova after her 2019 Trans-Tasman on Ocean Gem.

TRANS-TASMAN PODCAST EPISODES

Listen to these podcast episodes 27, 28, 56 and 83 for previous 2013, 2018 & 2019 Tasman Sea crossing stories.

Night sailing’s warmer with a pilot house

Here’s what you will experience onboard

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).

Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls.
Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to destination.
Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
Routine checks of bilges, engine, electrical systems, sails and hardware for preventative maintenance.
Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.

Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.

Training in the 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.
Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.
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.
Multi-day, offshore passage making 24/7 on a significant Category 0 offshore passage.

Anchoring - one of many important tasks onboard

Running downwind away from the 30 knot squall behind

Itinery

You can fly directly into Brisbane or Gold Coast airports on or before the 2nd of September 2021. When you arrive we'll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment and you will join us for a crew dinner ashore. Our crew will officially assemble on the 3rd September and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) on the 4th of September 2021, when we will leave Hope Harbour Marina, motor to Southport, clear Customs and then depart for New Zealand via a short stopover en-route at Lord Howe Island. You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive but if you plan to arrive prior to the 2nd of September, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore. You can depart out of Blenheim airport on arrival in New Zealand, 30 minutes by car from Picton which has connecting international flights out of Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. The borders from New Zealand to Australia are open and there is no requirement for quarantine upon landing in Australia.

Approaching the coast from the Tasman Sea

Inclusions

Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals ashore in Southport, Opua and Picton, 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 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. You will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent with the online option being recommended.

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.

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Arriving at a new port is always exciting

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