Guest Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Hello all you cruising veterans out there. I'm currently doing a bit of research into some great spots to visit for an up coming trip to the islands this season. From talking to those been already- it sounds asthough the Fijian waters including the Yasawas and Tongan waters of Va Vau group- (Excuse my spelling) seems to be peoples favourites. Though I hear Vanuatu has some of the best diving around. I wouldn't mind trying to do all 3 but at the same time want to have plenty of time enjoying where we are and not constantly on the move. I am interested in any more opinions on good and not so good spots. Although I have done a lot of sailing over the years both recreationally and for work-including a few offshore trips I have yet to explore the pacific Islands. I have seen the island cruising assossciation is selling some cruising guides- a new one coming out- specifically on Fiji, the Sailingbird Guide to The Kingdom of Tonga and Sail South Pacific. The latter sounding like a more general guide but covering a far greater area- If anyone has one and would reccommend it I will look into buying one. Thanks for your time and who knows, we may just see some of you up North in a few months time. Cheers Steve. Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,246 Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Hi Steve, Its been a few years, but we used Lanfalls of paradise for Fiji, the Moorings guide for Vavau, and the electronic one for Vanuatu. I'll see if I can find the details of that for you. Tonga was good, Fiji, especially the areas you mention are now quite comercialised. Fiji was also the only place (so far!) that we had people in local craft demanding money. All other places so far they want to trade, or to be given gifts... Our favorite was vanuatu. In fact we should be back there later this year.... Cheers Matt Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 The Sailing Bird Guide for Tonga is excellent. It covers more than the Moorings guide does, especially the Ha'apai group which is fantastic but not quite as relaxed sailiung as Vava'u with lots of reefs and low lying islands meaning relatively exposed anchorages. Fiji has suffered for a long time in not having a good, recent guide so I will be interested in seeing the ICA one. Vanuatu has the Tusker Crusing Guide which is good but unfortunately only in electronic format. All three places are great for differing reasons. Personally I have found Vanuatu the most rewarding cruising although a little more expensive than other places, but the variety of cultures, the much more traditional villages, cleanliness etc. make up for that. Make no mistake, where the Ni Van experience tourists they are very savvy at extracting money from them so take plenty of cash if you want to see the kastom ceremonies in these places. Other villages not exposed to tourism would prefer to trade. One thing that Vanuatu has that the other 2 don't is small guest houses in just about every anchorage where it is possible to enjoy very good, cheap meals. Plan your destinations right and you'll never have to cook dinner. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Cruzing Niue. See land and keep 500mts off it and you'll be fine. That's about it as there is no harbour, other islands, reefs or nasties to worry about. Everything you don't want your boat touching is visible. But it is becoming quite popular with cruzers. Only 280 yachts stopped last season but then there were no rallies passing. This year they have the World ARC and another popping in for a visit. They are estimating they may see 500 odd boats this season. I'd say it's knot a long stay destination but giving it shortish visit is well worth considering, it is quite different than most other Pac Islands. Time it right and you can be moored in 40mts of water 50mts from dry land and have Whales paying under your boat. 90% of a write up about Niue, including info for cruzing yachts, has been done. Give me a day and I'll finish the other 10%. Link to post Share on other sites
aywont 0 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Well, thanks guys for this information. Im a cruiser too. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Hey thanks everyone for the info- I am fairly new to this blog but so far it's been full of some really good stuff-everyone wanting to help out each other and share the knowledge and experience. Hopefully I'll be able to pass on some tips some day too. Our boat is called One Love (Aroha Tahi) a Lidgard 35 so if you happen to be in the same spot would be great to meet some of you. Cheers and fair winds. Steve. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 If you get to Vanuatu get in touch. I'm not going anywhere for a while. Link to post Share on other sites
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