Information for Yachts Visiting the Louisiade Islands

[SimonF]

Hi All,

We've just returned from the 2009 Louisiades Rally. What an amazing cruising destination! The people over there are so welcoming, and the diving, fishing, sailing, and scenery are outstanding.

We are trying to support the communities in the Louisiades through an online forum to notify yachties of the tradegoods that they currently need in the hope that visiting yachts can carry these items to trade for fresh produce, handicrafts, or simply to donate.

The communities of the Louisiades are some of the most isolated on the planet, and they don't have easy access to shops or markets where they can buy things like clothes or hand tools. The closest trade store for most of them is at least a full day's sail in an open sailing canoe across the Coral Sea! They are therefore highly dependent on trading their local produce (delicious tropical fruit!) with visiting yachties in exchange for the things they need. Second hand items are welcome.

Please visit http://www.louisiades.net and check the Trade Request Noticeboard before you sail to the Louisiades to see what the locals need right now.

You'll also find lots of useful information and cruising advice specific to the Louisiades on the site, and you're welcome to edit and add your own content (it's a wiki).

I should also point out that this is totally non-commercial. We pay to host the site and we don't collect money from anyone. We simply want to do our bit to support the wonderful people of the Louisiades who make yachties feel so welcome, despite their poverty and harsh living conditions.

Safe sailing!

Simon

[surfingminniwinni]

Thanks Simon,

Great site, I would love to see some more pics. We hope to sail there next year.

[SimonF]

Thanks for the feedback. There's more pics (about 200 of them) to be uploaded as soon as we get back onto a fast internet connection.

[SimonF]

Hi Glenn,

We've uploaded a whole slideshow of pictures from the 2009 Louisiades Rally. You can access it at: Friends of the Louisiades : Site Update - More Pictures

There's also some screenshots from the chartplotter showing our track through passes and anchorages on the Navigation page.


Simon