Fiji Sailing on Tall Ship Soren Larsen

Tonga & Fiji Exploration

Combine tropical cruising in the islands of Northern Tonga and Southern Fiji with a 4 night blue water passage between them. The Tongan breeding grounds of the humpback whales in Vava’u and some amazing snorkelling over coral gardens and caves.

Some caves include a daring swim through and underwater entrance, and others are large enough to get the ships dinghy into. With visabilty stretching to 100meters you can see vast underwater reefs with just a mask and snorkel (enough on board). In Fiji you can have a taste of colonial days with tea and billards at the Royal Hotel, in Ovalau. Then head off to meet the local children at Kandavu or Mbegga. In the past many have toured the ship so they will be pleased to see you drop anchor.

Distance Tonga & Fiji: 430 nautical miles

Duration: 17 nights £2735 Dates: 18th July—4th Aug 2011 Nukualofa—Lautoka
Big tip: Pacific Ocean taster with a relatively short ocean passage, awesome snorkelling, whale watching and good wildlife and cultural experiences.

Fiji to Vanuatu

Experience the colourful hospitality of the Yassawa Isles of Western Fiji and the magic of the remote islands of central Vanuatu. This is  a 3-5 day ocean passage in the SE trades when you will experiene what square riggers do best surging through the blue ocean swells downwind.

Cruise the Yaswas group of islands for 2-3 days, hopefully enjoying the fantastic Fijian singing and dancing at one of the villages, before heading for the Southern islands of Vanuatu. This in one of Soren Larsen’s favourite places so these voyages always fill up quickly. The insight into the cultures of different islands that you gain by visiting as seafarers is unique.

There are so many choices—like being shown around the villages on the Mescalyne islands. A display of their custom dance and ceremony can be arranged. At Ambryn local guides can take you for a walk into the jungle where they show you their bushcraft and traditional hunting methods. These shore excursions are not compulsory and payment is made direct to the village. At Epi you might be lucky enough to swim with an overfriendly dugong ( a marine creature not a local !).

Distance: 644 nautical miles

Duration: 17 nights £2735 8th August—25th Aug 2011 Lautoka, Fiji —Santo, Vanuatu
Classic Sailing Tip: Best voyages for contact with the locals. Mysterious rituals, dancing and drumming, exotic mix of world class snorkelling, lush jungles, active volcanoes with happy local people not yet tainted by tourism.