Vanuatu Islands discovery cruise / 300nm / 26 Jul - 3 AUg 2025
9 days / cat 3 Island cruising / Event #2511 / SALT LINES & Magic Miles: CREW positions available
The name Vanuatu means ‘Land Eternal’ and is recognised for its diverse landscape and variety of distinct cultures and is made up of 83 islands which stretch over some 450nm of the Pacific Ocean, half way between Australia and Hawaii. It’s renowned for its lush and vibrant nature, clear warm waters, friendly people and fascinating culture. Like the land above, the underwater terrain is mountainous, with huge cliffs, caves and intricate tunnels and is abundant with sea life, such as corals, sponges and thousands of fish. Numerous wrecks provide a wonderful snorkelling playground to explore.
Port Vila is the capital and largest city, with a population of around 40,000 people. The traditional culture of the Ni-Vanuatu tribes is alive and well. Their vibrant oral tradition speaks of the sea, the islands, the tempests and volcanoes, the wildlife and pigs, and the origins of their fascinating rituals.
Secure your place on the crew with a 20% deposit.
AUD$5,750
9 days
Itinery
You can fly directly into Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila on or before the 26th of July 2025. 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 assemble on the 27th at the Yachting World, Port Vila Marina, 30 minutes south of the airport and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) around midday on the 27th of July 2025 and leave the marina, heading NW for the first of our island anchorages. You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive but if you plan to arrive prior to 26th of July, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore.
The goal is to explore the northern island group over the following 7 days, stopping daily at selected bays, attractions and islands en-route. We will aim to sail back into the Port Vila Marina on the 2nd of August and you can stay onboard on arrival, until departing out of Bauerfield International Airport on the 3rd of August.
The capital; Port Vila, on the island of Efate, sits high over a lovely harbour, and the French influence shows in its stylish food and old architecture. This contrasts with the hilly town bursting with tropical vines and trees, palms and flowering bushes. There’s also local markets full of fresh local produce. And there’s the big smiles in a place that never seems hurried, and the gentle, peaceful people who seem to know just how blessed they have been by nature.
A strong Melanesian culture flows through the communities in many villages dotted along the breathtaking geography, with great ceremonies and dance, food, arts and culture varying from place to place, and island to island. Sailing along these waters is a privilege very few independent recreational boaters get to experience.
Once we leave behind the hustle and bustle of Port Vila, the rest of the island and the anchorages of this spectacular island nation are ours to share with the schools of tropical fish, lush tropical forests and friendly ni-Vanuatu (the term used to refer to the people of Vanuatu). Sailing just 30 nautical miles from Port Vila, one is immediately brought back centuries in time.
The rustic scenes of mangroves covering the shorelines fill the view from the calm seas around the islands, while smoke comes out of coastal and hillside villages to indicate where communities live. The ni-Vanuatu have close attachment to their land and are very proud of their traditions and culture. Each tribe welcome visitors in their own unique ancestral traditions among their beautiful village houses built of local timbers and woven grass mats.
Our cruising passage will take us through the islands further north of Efate, to experience the isolation and peace of remote places and see something of the culture of Vanuatu. One of the great things we’ll enjoy in Vanuatu is taking o the water for a snorkel. Their waters are littered with planes, old sailing ships, destroyers and most famously the SS President Coolidge. There are spectacular coral reefs and clear water drop-offs, including some of the deepest offshore canyons in the world and often with exceptional water clarity and you can have a lot of fun just day sailing, swimming, snorkelling and beach-combing along deserted coves.
Heading north of the archipelago, around 170 nautical miles from Port Vila, is Espiritu Santo (nicknamed Santo), the largest island with a reputation for being an adventure playground. In Malekula, the second largest island in the Vanuatu archipelago of islands lies the Maskelynes, a set of beautiful islands with a multitude of safe anchorages, beautiful sandy beaches and friendly people.
We’ll island hop our way through the archipelago to standout spots with secret beaches to discover, deserted bays to snorkel and scenic lookouts where you can watch the sun slip into the sea.
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.
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals in Vanuatu 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