Where's the Best Place You've Sailed ?

[sailstoo]

In the Summer, the Great lakes... Lk. Superior/Isle Royale/ the Canadian North Shore and, of course, Lake Huron's north channel. Great weather, beautiful vistas, interesting critters. Beats the dickens outta the 3 H's (heat, humidity, hurricanes), relative airlessnes and Dengue, of SE USA and the northern Caribbean...IN THE SUMMER!!! Winter, not so much. The Bahamas and Abacos and mosquito repellant are the ticket from January to April

[Lexxy]

Absolutely the best was the Lau Group of Islands 200 miles east of Fiji. They only gave out 6 permits the year we got to go in 2008, and for 23 days we did not see another cruising boat...only locals and one local charter fishing boat. We only got 30 days. We dashed from island to island and would go to ones that we only had on a chart the size of our thumbnail and we didn't even know if a boat could anchor there...we just heard that one went there once...maybe...so we blazed our way.
We were welcomed with kava "sevusevu" ceremonies and adopted by locals with roasted pigs and lobsters. The weather was mostly perfect...the people were wonderful, the location, heaven...see:
Lau Group Notes
for our record.
It is a place like no other on earth. The Fiji Government does not want the local influenced by the outside world too much so they monitor who is let in each year and we were interviewed [grilled]. Being the same religion as the interviewer helped.

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by Lexxy

Absolutely the best was the Lau Group of Islands 200 miles east of Fiji. They only gave out 6 permits the year we got to go in 2008, and for 23 days we did not see another cruising boat...only locals and one local charter fishing boat. We only got 30 days. We dashed from island to island and would go to ones that we only had on a chart the size of our thumbnail and we didn't even know if a boat could anchor there...we just heard that one went there once...maybe...so we blazed our way.
We were welcomed with kava "sevusevu" ceremonies and adopted by locals with roasted pigs and lobsters. The weather was mostly perfect...the people were wonderful, the location, heaven...see:
Lau Group Notes
for our record.
It is a place like no other on earth. The Fiji Government does not want the local influenced by the outside world too much so they monitor who is let in each year and we were interviewed [grilled]. Being the same religion as the interviewer helped.

this looks alot like the rock islands of Palau..they are everywhere and get there shape from some sort of sea creature that eats away the limestone and over a period of many many years they fall over...one must be careful in going onto these rock island because the local farmers grow a certain crop that is so cheap even the Hawaiins will go there and import the stuff to Hawaii and sell it as domestic crops..must be pretty good stuff..I wouldnt know myself but have been told as much.. and I think the coolest place I ever sailed was Yap ,Phonape,Truk Lagoon,PI's,Lombak,Indonesia,Bali,and lots of other little islands in the Pacfic..Lots more waiting to be explored....Baja mex. was really nice also...DVC

[Lexxy]

Originally Posted by tropicalescape

this looks alot like the rock islands of Palau..they are everywhere and get there shape from some sort of sea creature that eats away the limestone and over a period of many many years they fall over...one must be careful in going onto these rock island because the local farmers grow a certain crop that is so cheap even the Hawaiins will go there and import the stuff to Hawaii and sell it as domestic crops..must be pretty good stuff..I wouldnt know myself but have been told as much.. and I think the coolest place I ever sailed was Yap ,Phonape,Truk Lagoon,PI's,Lombak,Indonesia,Bali,and lots of other little islands in the Pacfic..Lots more waiting to be explored....Baja mex. was really nice also...DVC

didn't go under...looked risky...but just looked like tide washed limestone base away after years. Just took photo. We loved taking the kayak all thru the tiny cracks in the rocks seeing all kinds of things with out getting wet in the clear water...many times were clothing optional...but with very admirable "up righteous methodist" locals we did not want to offend even at a distance so we waited until nightfall to "feel free"!!!

Those were the days we look back on in this crowded Med...we won't get that chance again and we are too old to go around again!!!

[yachtdaemon]

Vanuatu for the people and culture
Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands for the Beaty and snorkeling
Ditto for the Rock Islands in Palau.
Ouvea in Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia for beauty and the beach
Currently in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand, which is pretty cool when the tour boats go home.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by yachtdaemon

Vanuatu for the people and culture
Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands for the Beaty and snorkeling
Ditto for the Rock Islands in Palau.
Ouvea in Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia for beauty and the beach
Currently in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand, which is pretty cool when the tour boats go home.

Livin' my dream. I am soooo jealous...

[justwaiting]

I asked this question of a french lady who had sailed a 28FT wooden boat from Hawai down through the island including French Polynesia.

I expected a reply that looked like some of the photos here, what she said was where you meet nice people. Smart sailor, nice person - a real cruiser.

[Aussie escapade]

The great barrier reef, Australia - check this place out, especially if you have a scuba diving license

[Irish rambler]

justwaiting's French lady hit it on the head. wherever you are with nice friendly people.
After a days sailing, motoring between the limestone cliffs into Lakka harbour on Paxos, Greece, a slow oven cooked kleftiko melt in the mouth supper and a few beers watching the sunset, totally peaceful. (Plays hell with the diet though)..