Opua To The Kermadec Islands To Minerva Reefs To Tonga

From £4695 per person

Deposit 25%. Balance due 12wks before embarkation

The expedition from Opua, New Zealand to Raoul Island in the Kermadec Island Group to Minerva Reef and finally onto Tonga is a true adventurers expedition.

Suited to

Singles, Couples, Groups

Difficulty

Intermediate. Some sailing experience required

Nights onboard

Vessel type

Expedition Yacht

Vessel length

72ft

Skipper

Yes

Berth Style

Shared double and twin bunks

Only one berth is available on this ocean epic

13 nights: 06 - 19 May 2024

Price: AUD$ 8,750 / £4,695 per person

The Category 0 ocean expedition from Opua, New Zealand to Raoul Island in the Kermadec Island Group to Minerva Reef and finally onto Tonga is a true adventurers expedition. We depart Opua in the Bay of Islands and head 540nm northeast to the Kermadec Islands. The islands are uninhabited and the northernmost outpost of New Zealand. They have been used as stopover points since as early as the 10th century.

We’ll anchor and go ashore to explore, Raoul Island* before setting off on for the next stop 330nm further north to anchor for a stopover at the stunning Minerva Reefs. These two submerged atolls have been the subject of many shipwrecks over the centuries with some still visible inside of the reefs. We’ll anchor inside the reefs and go on a night time hunt for fresh crayfish before continuing on the final 280nm leg to Pangaimotu Island in Tonga.

You can travel to Opua via Whangarei or Keri Keri Airports on or before the 6th of May 2024. When you arrive we’ll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment and you will join us for a crew welcome dinner. Our crew will officially assemble on the 7th of May onwards and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) on the 8th of May 2024, when we will clear Customs and then depart Opua and sail northeast towards The Kermadec’s for an overnight stop* to go ashore. When we depart Raoul Island we’ll sail past the other islands in the group, before setting a northerly course for the Minerva Reefs. We’ll aim to visit both of the Minerva Reefs, where we’ll anchor in the lagoons, explore the reef at low tide, relax and snorkel.

The final leg is to Pangaimotu, a small island in the Tongatapu group of Tonga, lying near the capital Nukuʻalofa. It is reachable by a 10-minute boat trip from Nukuʻalofa. Aside from the beaches, a centrepiece of the island’s attraction is a wreck jumping from and snorkelling around the hull of the upturned ship 50 metres off the island’s main beach. The island also contains the Big Mama Yacht Club, the Pangaimotu Island Resort and a vanilla plantation. The Pangaimotu Reef was declared a national marine reserve in 1989.

You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive in Opua, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 6th of May, you will need to arrange accommodation ashore. You can stay onboard when we arrive in Tonga on the 18th of May and depart out of Fuaʻamotu International Airport, Tonga on or after the 19th of May 2024. It is on the south side of the main island, Tongatapu, 20 km from the capital of Tonga, Nukuʻalofa.

Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals in Opua and in Tonga, accommodation onboard, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina fees, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow, and a towel are also included along with suncream.

*The stopover and shore visit at Raoul Island is subject to Department of Conservation approval based on the volcanic risk rating at the time. Safety is always the first priority when assessing risk to the crew and vessel.

Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. You will need to complete either a 5-hour online or 2-day classroom-based Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent prior to departure.

It’s always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility in case of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore on either side of the trip: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.

HERE’S WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE ONBOARD

Hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, spinnakers, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather).

Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls.
Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to the destination.
Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
Routine checks of bilges, engine, electrical systems, sails and hardware for preventative maintenance.
Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.

Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.
Training in the use of PDF’s (Personal Flotation Devices), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoy’s, storm drogue, liferaft and any other equipment required to ensure you remain safe in all conditions.
Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.
Planning our arrival and route to safe harbor including timing with daylight (if required), weather factors, navigational hazards, communications/customs and sail/motor arrival plan.
Multi-day, offshore passage making 24/7 on a significant Category 1 offshore passage.