Soren Larsen 2011 - Tonga and Fiji Exploration - 17 days £2735

Submitted by adam on Tue, 20/07/2010 - 15:58

Description
Itinerary
Starting Port
End Port
Vessel Details

Voyage Number	V335
Voyage price	£2735 for 17 nights
Voyage Dates	18/07/2011 - 10:00 - 04/08/2011 - 10:00
Depart from	Tonga, Vava'u
Finishing Port	Fiji (Denerau)
Voyage area	Pacific , South Pacific
Voyage type	Adventure Voyage , Ocean Passages , Tall Ships
Vessel	Soren Larsen
Availability	Available
	BOOKING FORM >>>

Voyage Description

Soren Larsen - South Pacific 2012

Tall Ship Adventures in the South Seas

From April 2012 tall ship Soren Larsen will undertaken a series of voyages to the very best of the tropical South Seas. There are ten voyages to chose from - varying in length from 10 to 32 days. Some are pure ocean passages, others have island hopping as a main theme, and a few have a combination of a long ocean passage and some exploring amongst island groups.

A true ocean passage takes us from Auckland to the Kingdom of Tonga via the volcanic Kermadec islands. In the islands of Haapa'i and the whale breeding grounds of Vava'u we find South Pacific cruising t its best.

From there we sail Westwards with the trade winds on a series of voyagesaccross the best of Polynesia and Melanesia from Tonga to the outer islands of colourful Fiji.

We explore the wild untouched beauty and undisturbed culture of the islands of Vanuatu; sailing as far North as the rarely visited islands of the Banks and Torres Group and we see the classical South Sea beauty of New Caledonia.

The last leg is an authentic square rig passage from New Caledonia to Sydney harbour in Australia.

Classic Sailing Office: 0044 (0) 1872 580022

Soren Larsen Booking Agent UK & Tall Ship Holiday Specialists

Classic Sailing office is run by working skippers. We all have extensive experience of sailing all types of tall ship in many parts of the world, so you can ask us just about anything. Adam in the office has sailed in New Zealand and on Soren Larsen and our new Cornwall skipper James MacKenzie has just returned from sailing in the Caribbean so we are very excited about helping you book this amazing series of blue water voyages.

Leg 5: The Friendly Isles

Commencing in Vavau, the northern most island in this archipelago, and home of the hump backed whales.

The Kingdom of Tonga is a collection of tiny islands lying north - south near to the International Dateline of 180 deg longitude - truly the far side of the world. Captain Cook named these the 'Friendly Isles' of Tonga and it aptly. There are so many islands in the Tongan group that we will be spoiled for choice. Leaving the southern capital of Nuku'alofa we will sail north through the network of reefs and tiny atolls that surround Tongatapu.

Mutiny on the Bounty

The islands of Lifuka and Nomuka are fascinating both historically and scenically. We will stop and explore the Ha'apai group, whose deserted islands with beautiful white sand beaches, such as Una Lev'i, typify the idealised the classical South Sea island or the forbidding volcanic island of Tofua, where Cpt. Bligh was set adrift in the ship's boat by the mutineers. Bligh put ashore to try and get fresh water and was repelled by hostile natives who killed one of his crew. It is often too hazardous to land there due to swell conditions but we shall sail past the actual the scene of the Bounty mutiny.

On this cruise most nights will be spent at anchor as distances between the islands are small - perhaps only 20-30 miles, (there may be one or two overnight passages). We will usually weigh anchor early each morning and aim to arrive at our next anchorage by early afternoon.

At the northern part of the Kingdom is the Vava'u group. Its labyrinthine islands and passages, its perfect untouched beaches, sculptured cliffs and caves could take weeks to explore but we will concentrate on the most spectacular with the best access ashore by the ship's 17ft inflatable Avon work boat. We use this for runs to the beach to explore ashore or out to the reefs for snorkelling trips. The ship has sufficient sets of masks, fins and snorkels to allow everyone to see the brilliant coral in the amazingly clear waters around these islands. Sailing by day and lying at anchor each night which will provide fairly sheltered sailing and a gentle introduction to life aboard. We will snorkel at Mariner's Cave which involves swimming through an underwater entrance to an enclosed cave, (an easy swim for the intrepid snorkeler). Swallows Cave which is large enough to drive our inflatable boat into. Both are surrounded by stunning coral reefs which had up to 100 ft visibility when we swam there. We normally find a deserted beach one evening, probably on Nuku Atoll, to have a barbecue ashore.

Meeting the Residents

Vavu'a is the breeding grounds of the humpback whale and although we will be there rather early in their breeding season there is a possibility we may see the whales at the end of the migration from the Antarctic.

Exploring a chain of islands and cruising between anchorages will involve some motoring and some quite intense sail handling. However day sailing can provide some excellent sheltered ship and sail handling for all the crew - but it also allows those who would rather relish the amazing scenery to stand back and let the keener sailors get involved in handling the ship under sail. A duty watch system will still operate while we are under way but this will be less exacting than on an uninterrupted ocean passage.

Once we drop anchor the deck watch is undertaken by the permanent crew and the Voyage Crew are free to explore ashore. Maybe an island exploration voyage would be the ideal introduction to the sea on which to bring a non sailing partner.

Near Nieafu we may have an evening’s entertainment at a local village with a traditional feast and Tongan dancing .
Whale watching

In previous seasons we have seen whales (usually humpbacks) close by the ship in these waters as well as dolphins who delight in dancing in our bow wave. On these occasions those on bow watch duty have a front row seat for the excitement - how much longer we will witness this spectacle is open to question, as tragically Japan is set to increase its southern whale kill from this year for 'scientific purposes'

When at an anchorage we use Soren's 17 ft inflatable boat for runs to the beach to explore ashore. The ship has masks and snorkels for all those who want to swim from the ship.

We arrive in Fiji at Levuka. Ovalau has an old world charm of it own, and once Customs officers have cleared us, which can take a notoriously long time, we will get ashore and perhaps enjoy tea and billiards at the Royal Hotel or a gin at the Ovalau Club.

We should have 5 or 6 days to cruise the islands to the east and south of Fiji's main island Viti Levu. It will depend at the time which places we choose to go and often the chart will be laid out in the saloon and the alternative plans discussed and put to a vote - a decision making process rarely heard of in Captain Bligh's day.

In previous years we have had an enchanting day and night at either Kandavu or Mbegga lying at anchor off the village of Malureu within the lagoon. After the Captain had attained permission for our visit from the chief we invited dozens of the local children on board for a tour of the ship and we later the ship's company visited the village and joined in the traditional welcome of the kava ceremony at the chief's house. We may have stop for a bar-b-que lunch at one of the uninhabited islands close by.

The cruise around Fiji will involve one overnight passage as well as those spent anchored in peaceful bays and inlets and will finish at the port of Lautoka on the west side of Viti Levu.

Our sailing between anchorages in the island groups may involve some motoring but also some quite intense sail handling. However this allows those who would rather relish the amazing scenery to stand back and let the keener sailors get involved in handling the ship under sail.

Everyone is involved in the duty watch system as Voyage Crew which will operate while we are under way and you may have your turn at the helm, on bow lookout or helping trim sail or help tack ship. Going aloft is a unique experience but is not compulsory and everyone can decide when or if they’d like to. People of all ages join us and many have never sailed before - previous experience is certainly not necessary. There are 13 permanent crew who maintain and sail the ship who are there to assist and help you enjoy your time aboard. Once we drop anchor the deck watch is undertaken by the permanent crew and you the Voyage Crew are free to explore ashore.

This is a beautiful leg of the South Pacific voyage offering plenty to do on and off the boat.

See Voyage Description for Typical Itinerary

The Voyage Description section (see tab above) includes typical destinations and highlights for each Pacific Adventure leg on brigantine Soren Larsen as she follows the trade winds around the South Seas. Some voyages are adventurous island hopping and a few are pure Ocean passages. The most popular are those that involve a mix of Pacific blue water passages and shorter sails between island groups with lots of anchoring and meeting the locals.

Wind Powered Travel

If you want to travel around the Pacific for several months powered only by the wind and your own efforts as crew, then spending a few pacific ocean legs living on Soren Larsen is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel.

Vessel Details

See the tab above for a full description of this historic wooden ship

n/a

Soren Larsen - Brigantine

Brigantine Søren Larsen makes Sydney her home port, but she roams far and wide from her home for much of the year, and has done more than her fair share of epic ocean crossings in her 60 years life as a wooden sailing ship. For her fascinating journeys of cultural discovery to some of the most unspoilt South Pacific islands, and for introducing her guest crews to the breathtakingly beautiful New Zealand coastline in her own unique style, Søren Larsen has several won tourism awards.

National Geographic Adventure Magazine nominated Soren Larsen as on of the ‘25 Greatest Trips in the World’

1996 Tourism Auckland - Hauraki Gulf Development and Protection Award at the inaugural tourism awards

1999 Tourism Auckland Annual Awards – the ship won the 'Adventure and Experience' Category

Star of The Onedin Line

If she looks strangely familiar to British sailors then that is because she is ! Famous as the star of the BBC TV historical drama series ‘The Onedin Line’ with that stirring title music by Katchaturian (Adagio from Spartacus). Søren Larsen’s authentic period rig starred in several films including "The French Lieutenant's Woman", "Count of Monte Cristo" and "Shackleton" - which involved sailing north to the Arctic Circle into the pack-ice of Greenland.

History

The ship was built in northern Denmark in by Soren Larsen & Sons at Nykobing Mors in 1949. One of the last cargo carrying sailing ships trading through Scandinavia and Europe, Soren Larsen was constructed entirely of oak. She was massively built with oak outer planking on double oak frames with an inner hull planking of oak to carry timber grain and general cargo and traded until 1972.

She was bought and saved from destruction by family of square rig enthusiast s in Colchester, England. There Captain Tony Davies assembled a team of skilled shipwrights to commence the restoration work. New decks, masts, yards and spars were made and she was entirely re-rigged as the graceful late 19th century brigantine she is today. Film work earnings like the Onedin Line helped pay for her restoration and up keep.

In 1987 Soren Larsen was invited to be the Flagship for the Australian Bicentenary re-enactment voyage of the First Fleet. She led a fleet of eight tall ships on a 22,000 mile voyage from England to Australia via Rio de Janerio and Cape Town, arriving to a tumultuous welcome in Sydney in January 1988.

Round Cape Horn & Transatlantic Tall Ship Race Winner

As part of her ‘Homeward round the Horn’ project – an Australia via Southern Ocean to Europe voyage with 'Eye of the Wind' – Soren became the first British flagged tall ship to sail round Cape Horn since 1936. In 1992 she topped this by winning her class in the Transatlantic Tall Ship Race via New York and Liverpool during the Columbus Grand Regatta. It was a fitting way to complete the ship's first circumnavigation.

Extensive Refit 1992 - 1993

After some pretty tough world voyaging Soren Larsen underwent an extensive refit and further restoration work in Britain. She returned to her home Pacific waters via the Caribbean, Panama and the Galapagos. In 1996 it was decided to re sheath of hull with native totara to preserve the original oak planking.

Each southern hemisphere winter she cruises the romantic and barely accessible islands of the South Pacific, giving many first time sailors and adventurers of all ages a genuine 'experience of a lifetime'. From November to April she sails the beautiful New Zealand coast, giving individuals the chance to enjoy a glimpse of traditional square rig sailing and providing groups and companies with an opportunity to stage spectacular events aboard this unique ship.

Around The World Again

To celebrate the new Millennium Soren Larsen undertook a world voyage, the Global Odyssey 2000. Departing Auckland in March she sailed 30,000 miles to Britain via USA, Canada and Europe. She set out on the return journey via the Canaries, Caribbean, Panama Canal, Galapagos, Easter Island, Pitcairn and across the South Pacific returning home to Auckland New Zealand in October 2001.

Creating a Unique Tall Ship Experience in NZ and Polynesia

For the last 7 years Soren Larsen and her enthusiastic crew have developed their voyages and carved their own special niche in adventure travel. The ship works from her home base in Sydney New Zealand during the southern hemisphere summer and explores the tropical waters of the South Pacific from March to November. Classic Sailing are very pleased to be introducing one of our favourite ships to a new audience. If you are planning to visit the Southern Hemisphere, Soren Larsen’s voyages represent a way of experiencing New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, that should be on every traveller’s wish list.

Vessel Specification

Rig: Brigantine.

Two masts. 12 sails in total and 7000 sq ft (650 sq metres)

Square Sails on the Foremast: Fore Course, Lower & Upper Topsail, t’gallant

Sparred Length Overall: 145ft (44.2m)

Length on Deck: 105ft (32m)

Beam: 25ft 6in (7.8m)

Draft: 11ft 3in (3.4m)

Displacement: 290 tonnes

Gross Registered Tonnage: 125 tonnes

Built: 1949, Denmark

Flag: Cook Islands

Safety Certification: NZ Safe Ship Management Scheme

Crew: 12 crew and 22 guest voyage crew

Hull: Oak with Iroko decks

Ships Boats & Leisure equipment:

DOTI Inflatable Rescue Boat & liferafts for 80

16ft Avon Inflatable

Workboat

Lugsail Sailing Dinghy

Windsurfer

Snorkelling equipment for all on board.

Fishing gear, assorted musical instruments

Accommodation below:

There is a characterful saloon with brass lamps and walnut panelling, an on board library and separate crew accommodation. For a maximum of 22 voyage guest crew there are 7 twin and 2 four berth cabins. Some twin cabins have wash basins. Twin berths can be reserved at time of booking at no extra cost but are available on first come first serve basis. All cabins are not large and storage space is at a premium. Duvets and bedding are supplied by the ship, but we ask guests to bring their own towels. On tropical voyages it can get quite hot below decks and some like the romance of sleeping on deck, so bringing a camping mat if you want to try sleeping under the stars.

Soren Larsen has hot fresh water showers and generators supply 240v electricity so you can charge up cameras / phones etc (NZ three pin sockets). The cooks provide 3 hearty freshly cooked meals a day. Our ship's cook is able to cater for vegetarians, and/or any other special dietary requirements as long as we are informed at time of booking Wine, beer and other drinks are available on board but you need to pay for these individually (major credit cards accepted for your bar bill)

Souvenirs:

There is a select range of quality souvenirs available aboard the ship including, fleeces, rugby shirts, polo shirts & hats all with ship's logo and name embroidered on.

Captain for 2010: Jim Cottier - As the ship's senior Master he has sailed the ship and trained her crews over several decades, and is considered one of the most eminent skippers in square rig.

What to Bring

Luggage: One main piece of luggage, which should be a soft kit bag or rucksack. A hard suitcase will not be suitable due to limited storage space.

Clothing: Musto Waterproofs are provided on Soren but you might want light weight waterproofs for exploring ashore. When it rains in the tropics – it pours. If you are sailing at night it can be cold even in the tropics so a few fleece layer options and long trousers are recommended. Day time hopefully you will be in shorts, cotton tee shirts.

Footwear: In these tropical latitudes most go barefoot on deck but its not compulsory. All terrain type sandals are good e.g. reef, teva, keen for on deck or going ashore in the dinghy to explore. Unless you have tough feet, going aloft is much better in deck shoes / sandals that can’t fall off than bare feet.

High factor sun cream or sun block, sunglasses, straps for your prescription glasses, sea sickness tablets, large and small towel, earplugs, torch and spare batteries, camera, swimsuit, sun hat, small day sack for walks ashore. A sleeping mat if you plan to sleep on deck.

Passports & Visas

Don’t forget passport, travel insurance documents.

Please check any visa requirements very carefully if you are planning to travel either side of your trip.

For travel tips see our port information

Join our email newsletters group and we will enter you in our free competition to win a sailing holiday for two on a tall ship or pilot cutter.*
Name*
email*
Please tell us your particular sailing interest and where you would like to sail?*
What type of vessel would you like to sail on?*	Tall Ship Classic Yacht - Pilot Cutter Both
How much sailing have you done? None is not a problem but what you tell us will help us find you a brilliant voyage.
On Modern Yachts*	None Some Quite a bit
On Pilot Cutters?*	None Some Quite a bit
On Tall Ships*	None Some Quite a bit
# Competition Terms and Conditions # Privacy Policy
* Indicates field is required.