Explore Vanuatu’s lush and vibrant nature, clear warm waters, friendly people and fascinating culture. Like the land above, numerous wrecks, the mountainous underwater terrain, with huge cliffs, caves and intricate tunnels, abundant with sea life, such as corals, sponges and thousands of fish, provide a wonderful snorkelling playground.
10 Nights: 08 - 18 June 2023
Price: AUD$ 8750 / £4,960*
*Trips are priced in the operator’s local currency. The sterling amount shown is a guide only and the amount you pay in sterling will change with currency fluctuations.
You can fly directly into Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila on or before the 8th of June 2023. 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 from the 9th onwards a Port Vila Marina, 30 minutes south of the airport and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) around midday on the 9th of June 2023 and leave the marina, heading NW for the first of our island anchorages. You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive but if you plan to arrive prior to 8th of June, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore.
The goal is to circumnavigate the northern island group over the following 10 days, stopping daily at selected bays, attractions and islands en-route. We will aim to sail back into the Port Vila Marina on the18th of June and you can stay onboard on arrival, until departing out of Bauerfield International Airport on the 19th of June.
The capital; Port Vila, on the island of Efate, sits high over a lovely harbour, and the French influence shows in its stylish food and old architecture. This contrasts with the hilly town bursting with tropical vines and trees, palms and flowering bushes. There’s also local markets full of fresh local produce. And there’s the big smiles in a place that never seems hurried, and the gentle, peaceful people who seem to know just how blessed they have been by nature.
A strong Melanesian culture flows through the communities in many villages dotted along the breathtaking geography, with great ceremonies and dance, food, arts and culture varying from place to place, and island to island. Sailing along these waters is a privilege very few independent recreational boaters get to experience.
Once we leave behind the hustle and bustle of Port Vila, the rest of the island and the anchorages of this spectacular island nation are ours to share with the schools of tropical fish, lush tropical forests and friendly ni-Vanuatu (the term used to refer to the people of Vanuatu). Sailing just 30 nautical miles from Port Vila, one is immediately brought back centuries in time. The rustic scenes of mangroves covering the shorelines fill the view from the calm seas around the islands, while smoke comes out of coastal and hillside villages to indicate where communities live. The ni-Vanuatu have close attachment to their land and are very proud of their traditions and culture. Each tribe welcome visitors in their own unique ancestral traditions among their beautiful village houses built of local timbers and woven grass mats.
Our cruising passage will take us through the islands further north of Efate, to experience the isolation and peace of remote places and see something of the culture of Vanuatu. One of the great things we’ll enjoy in Vanuatu is taking o the water for a snorkel. Their waters are littered with planes, old sailing ships, destroyers and most famously the SS President Coolidge. There are spectacular coral reefs and clear water drop-offs, including some of the deepest offshore canyons in the world and often with exceptional water clarity and you can have a lot of fun just day sailing, swimming, snorkelling and beach-combing along deserted coves.
Heading north of the archipelago, around 170 nautical miles from Port Vila, is Espiritu Santo (nicknamed Santo), the largest island with a reputation for being an adventure playground. In Malekula, the second largest island in the Vanuatu archipelago of islands lies the Maskelynes, a set of beautiful islands with a multitude of safe anchorages, beautiful sandy beaches and friendly people.
We’ll island hop our way through the archipelago to standout spots with secret beaches to discover, deserted bays to snorkel and scenic lookouts where you can watch the sun slip into the sea.
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals in Vanuatu and various stopover ports, accommodation onboard, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina fees, the use of a PFD (personal flotation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow and towel are also included along with suncream.
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 a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent at least 1 month prior.
Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility incase of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.
Salt Lines is a 70ft, steel-hulled, 30-ton, ketch-rigged sailing vessel. Built to Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) unlimited survey requirements, she was the second of the Laurent Giles Shipwright 70 class built on Tyneside by AMARC (TES) Ltd in 1990 for the Ocean Youth Trust (OYT). She was launched and named the John Laing by Lady Laing in Poole, UK.
Bauerfield International Airport
Bauerfield International Airport
You can fly directly into Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila on or before the 8th of June 2023. 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 from the 9th onwards a Port Vila Marina, 30 minutes south of the airport and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) around midday on the 9th of June 2023 and leave the marina, heading NW for the first of our island anchorages. You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive but if you plan to arrive prior to 8th of June, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore.
The goal is to circumnavigate the northern island group over the following 10 days, stopping daily at selected bays, attractions and islands en-route. We will aim to sail back into the Port Vila Marina on the18th of June and you can stay onboard on arrival, until departing out of Bauerfield International Airport on the 19th of June.
The capital; Port Vila, on the island of Efate, sits high over a lovely harbour, and the French influence shows in its stylish food and old architecture. This contrasts with the hilly town bursting with tropical vines and trees, palms and flowering bushes. There’s also local markets full of fresh local produce. And there’s the big smiles in a place that never seems hurried, and the gentle, peaceful people who seem to know just how blessed they have been by nature.
A strong Melanesian culture flows through the communities in many villages dotted along the breathtaking geography, with great ceremonies and dance, food, arts and culture varying from place to place, and island to island. Sailing along these waters is a privilege very few independent recreational boaters get to experience.
Once we leave behind the hustle and bustle of Port Vila, the rest of the island and the anchorages of this spectacular island nation are ours to share with the schools of tropical fish, lush tropical forests and friendly ni-Vanuatu (the term used to refer to the people of Vanuatu). Sailing just 30 nautical miles from Port Vila, one is immediately brought back centuries in time. The rustic scenes of mangroves covering the shorelines fill the view from the calm seas around the islands, while smoke comes out of coastal and hillside villages to indicate where communities live. The ni-Vanuatu have close attachment to their land and are very proud of their traditions and culture. Each tribe welcome visitors in their own unique ancestral traditions among their beautiful village houses built of local timbers and woven grass mats.
Our cruising passage will take us through the islands further north of Efate, to experience the isolation and peace of remote places and see something of the culture of Vanuatu. One of the great things we’ll enjoy in Vanuatu is taking o the water for a snorkel. Their waters are littered with planes, old sailing ships, destroyers and most famously the SS President Coolidge. There are spectacular coral reefs and clear water drop-offs, including some of the deepest offshore canyons in the world and often with exceptional water clarity and you can have a lot of fun just day sailing, swimming, snorkelling and beach-combing along deserted coves.
Heading north of the archipelago, around 170 nautical miles from Port Vila, is Espiritu Santo (nicknamed Santo), the largest island with a reputation for being an adventure playground. In Malekula, the second largest island in the Vanuatu archipelago of islands lies the Maskelynes, a set of beautiful islands with a multitude of safe anchorages, beautiful sandy beaches and friendly people.
We’ll island hop our way through the archipelago to standout spots with secret beaches to discover, deserted bays to snorkel and scenic lookouts where you can watch the sun slip into the sea.
