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Mattyb · 03-04-2014, 05:54

Hi All

We are doing the Sail Indonesia rally this year and are planning to then head up along east Malaysia on to Palawan and then want to head across to micronesia and The Marshalls until cyclone season is over then head down the south pacific a bit. We have a few years to do this but am looking and the best route I can see to get from Palawan through to Micronesia is to go through the Sulu sea past Mindanoa through the Bohol sea and out to the other side around Surigao City but I have hear the Sulu sea and Mindanoa should be avoided. Is this a normal route or does anyone have any suggestions? We would be going through around December. I know its against the wind but we are not worried about that so much as which route to take.

Cheers

Matty

seandepagnier · 03-04-2014, 07:51

The route you described seems reasonable.

You can have favorable winds for July through September. Best time is probably August. It is possible to stay out of cyclones by dropping to 6-7 degrees north.

jim_thomsen · 04-04-2014, 03:14

We just did the same route, except East to West. No problems. But I would recommend following the "recommended steam ship route" through the Sulu Sea. Other than the crossing point of the north to south major shipping route, near to the reef that our American Navy ship hit last year, it is without dangers. We just heard that a woman we knew in Palau hit a reef doing the crossing a little south of our route. The reef was charted (on our navionics).
If you have the time to stop in Bonbonon I would highly recommend it.

Good sailing,
Jim

Mattyb · 04-04-2014, 03:18

Just realised the heading should have read heading east through Philippines! Was a bit late last night when I wrote that. Thanks for the info so far. Will research the standard route a bit more.