Auckland to Vanuatu - duration etc

[Pentos]

Hi folks,

Anyone know what is the best time to sail from Auckland to Vanuatu or what the duration might be?

Cheers

[JPA Cate]

Depends on the boat, and the wind directions and strengths. It's around 330 n. mi., so a short trip. Expect they'll soon be closing their borders, too.

[Paul L]

Most boats do this 1,300 mile passage when the cyclone season is over. May, June.

[NevilleCat]

I would guess you might want to prepare to be heavily and perhaps aggressively dissuaded from stepping foot on any of those islands at the moment. Those places are completely vulnerable in a pandemic with little medical infrastructure available. The locals will not likely to risk you even if you can persuade them that you took 14 days to get there.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Depends on the boat, and the wind directions and strengths. It's around 330 n. mi., so a short trip. Expect they'll soon be closing their borders, too.

That 330nm would be Noumea to Port Vila, it's nearly another 1000 nm for the first leg from Auckland to Noumea.

[Tupaia]

The best time would be mid May (2021 - Virus), before the trades have fully developed and seas are relatively calm. Cyclone season officially finishes in April. Start getting a feel for the weather patterns at the beginning of May, lows pass through at between 5-7 day intervals and then catch the third window. Jump on the back of a low and make as much distance from NZ as quickly as possible.

It took us 8 days from Auckland to Suva (roughly the same distance and wind angle).

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by StuM

That 330nm would be Noumea to Port Vila, it's nearly another 1000 nm for the first leg from Auckland to Noumea.

You got that right, I messed up with my measure. Apologies. Still, not a long trip.

[fxykty]

No need to worry, the South Pacific is closed or very soon will be closed. Get ready for a winter in New Zealand, unless you are able (or possibly required) to return to your home country. Prepare for the 2021 season.

If it was a normal year, usually you would leave on the back of a low anytime after early May and as late as August or September (the trades are SE, so while not great for Tonga or Fiji it’s no problem for a late season departure to Vanuatu or New Caledonia). The later you leave it after mid-June the higher the likelihood of deeper lows coming out of the Tasman (refer to the 1994 Queens Birthday Storm), but it’s still possible to have decent weather for the first 500 miles north. After that, you’re in the trades and only need to worry if a really deep low swings north.

[kryg]

I nearly finished rebuilding Skoiern IV to ready for the last year (total top of mast to keel rebuild because of my boat was knocked over a the RPAYC by the boat next to me) for a trip out of Sydney to Vanuatu in May, much to my reluctance I had to canned the trip till hopefully next year, because of the daily new announced country lock downs.



Off topic but for thoughts interested attached is the before and the newly rebuild Skoiern IV. Vanuatu will have to wait till next May next year.

[Scotty Kiwi]

Originally Posted by fxykty

No need to worry, the South Pacific is closed or very soon will be closed. Get ready for a winter in New Zealand, unless you are able (or possibly required) to return to your home country. Prepare for the 2021 season.

If it was a normal year, usually you would leave on the back of a low anytime after early May and as late as August or September (the trades are SE, so while not great for Tonga or Fiji it’s no problem for a late season departure to Vanuatu or New Caledonia). The later you leave it after mid-June the higher the likelihood of deeper lows coming out of the Tasman (refer to the 1994 Queens Birthday Storm), but it’s still possible to have decent weather for the first 500 miles north. After that, you’re in the trades and only need to worry if a really deep low swings north.

Excellent advice IMO. Don't go to the Islands during the CV scare. Or the cyclone season (unless you've pre-arranged facilities and got the right boat).

[Boatguy30]

I know Fiji is still open. Weather looks excellent to leave Monday

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

I know Fiji is still open. Weather looks excellent to leave Monday

And then what? You arrive and need to do a 14 day quarantine. Don't count on then being able to move between islands. As a cruiser, unless the place you are in is unsafe or you are forced to leave, it makes no sense to do passages right now. Sit low and let things work themselves out.

[Boatguy30]

Fiji is boarding with a doctor outside port on arrival. No quarantine if health OK.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

Fiji is boarding with a doctor outside port on arrival. No quarantine if health OK.

I assume you are there now with more up todate info. I still say it makes no sense to start off on a long passage, Fiji is 7 to 19 days, now if you aren't forced to. Too much risk of the target country closing down and no alternatives close by.

COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS:

20 March, 2020:

New travel restrictions have been imposed by Government as a result of the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Fiji.

Anyone entering Fiji from any overseas destination will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days, meaning they must stay in one place and avoid contact with others or going out in public as much as possible.

[Boatguy30]

Ok, last info was from the 18th. But you want to be cold in a marina in Auckland or warm on the hook in Fiji? All hypothetical as we're warm on a mooring in Linton Panama.