Does anyone have any "must do" special places in the Pacific. We're leaving Mexico next year for Australia. So far the agenda is Hawaii, Fanning Reef, Suvarov then not sure after that.
Would have to skip Hawaii but we went to Galapagos, Easter, Pitcairn, Gambier before Tahiti. All of these were terrific.
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Back to Great Lakes sailing on our Catalina 36 MkII after many years ocean sailing on a Bristol 45.5, which was just too big for the yacht clubs on Lake Ontario.
IMHO all the places along your route are musts. We have heard not all that nice stories from US Samoa, Pitcairn and Galapagos; otherwise I would stop by at as many islands as one can weave into their itinerary.
I also think that skipping Hawaii and instead taking the southern tradewinds route is the better plan (but I've already been to Hawaii). Depart from Mexico, and go through the Marquesas, the Tuamotus, Tahiti, Moorea, Bora-Bora, Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caladonia, to Australia. This is the traditional "Cocoanut-Milk Run", which often also includes the Galapagos.
But taking this route does mean that you won't be seeing the Line Islands, where Fanning Atoll is. The Hawaii / Line Islands / Cook Islands route could be really nice. Few people do it. I've never been there. It would be a shame to miss French Polynesia though.
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Paul Elliott, S/V VALIS - Pacific Seacraft 44 #16 - Friday Harbor, WA www.sailvalis.com
i went through all the pages i could find that mentioned exotic,remote,must see etc etc for my future plans,i put them all on google earth,don't ask me to suggest a route though!
Funny enough I quite enjoyed my 10 days in American Samoa... the Port Captain.. who also doubles as the Pilot was a great character and very helpful... the people were courteous and friendly and the island to me was quite lovely... not up to the Marquesas but then its a busy place is Pago Pago... would I stop there again if I went through... Yes
I also think that skipping Hawaii and instead taking the southern tradewinds route is the better plan (but I've already been to Hawaii). Depart from Mexico, and go through the Marquesas, the Tuamotus, Tahiti, Moorea, Bora-Bora, Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caladonia, to Australia. This is the traditional "Cocoanut-Milk Run", which often also includes the Galapagos.
But taking this route does mean that you won't be seeing the Line Islands, where Fanning Atoll is. The Hawaii / Line Islands / Cook Islands route could be really nice. Few people do it. I've never been there. It would be a shame to miss French Polynesia though.
I've done this route twice and may do it again in 2014.
Much had changed in Moorea compared to my first visit there - in my view not for the better either. But, if you missed seeing Moorea before the development you of course won't know the difference and will enjoy Moorea anyway. Still beautiful in 2009. Now? Probably.
Would have to skip Hawaii but we went to Galapagos, Easter, Pitcairn, Gambier before Tahiti. All of these were terrific.
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Originally Posted by Jeannius
As AiniA says, skip Hawaii and do Galapagos, then Marquesas, Tuamotus, Gambier then the Cook Islands.
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Originally Posted by Paul Elliott
I also think that skipping Hawaii and instead taking the southern tradewinds route is the better plan (but I've already been to Hawaii). Depart from Mexico, and go through the Marquesas, the Tuamotus, Tahiti, Moorea, Bora-Bora, Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caladonia, to Australia. This is the traditional "Cocoanut-Milk Run", which often also includes the Galapagos.
But taking this route does mean that you won't be seeing the Line Islands, where Fanning Atoll is. The Hawaii / Line Islands / Cook Islands route could be really nice. Few people do it. I've never been there. It would be a shame to miss French Polynesia though.
I say skip Hawaii also but not just for a better route to the South but that Hawaii is an unfriendly place for sailors. Very little on amenities and Aloha and I lived there for 7 years!
__________________ "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
I say skip Hawaii also but not just for a better route to the South but that Hawaii is an unfriendly place for sailors. Very little on amenities and Aloha and I lived there for 7 years!
And... what's the point of sailing all that way... and being in the same Country...
And... what's the point of sailing all that way... and being in the same Country...
Most of the locals don't believe they are.
__________________ "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
We are currently in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia. Whilst we are finding the islands very interesting I am not sure we would want to do this a second time.
The islands are beautiful but very remote and the 'no see ums' are having their way with us despite repellants, air conditioning etc. etc.
If you are into diving and swimming off the boat then these islands, for us, are disappointing.
We really enjoyed Las Perlas Islands but a boat just arrived here a while ago minus his girlfriend ... people who were at Las Perlas same time Tribe and we were there ... lady swam from the boat, was swept away by strong currents and her man could not get to her in time. Here, help is not as readily available as in the BVI's for example ... we now always lower the dingy before swimming.
Anchorages ... the anchorages near any form of civilisation here have all proved to be 'rock n roll' but then again there are little bays (very remote though) such as Daniels Bay off Nuku Hiva which are SPECTACULAR and very calm ...
However, next stop will be the Tuamotos and I am told the swimming and diving is spectacular there.
Do your research well ... we are coming across a number of sailors who are putting up boats for sale because they find the journey too tedious and can't face doing the distance ... well, thats my 'two cents ' opinion anyway.
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