Southport to Lord howe island, BALL’S PYRAMID, Australia to Opua & Auckland, New Zealand / 1,310nm / 27 Jan - 8 Feb 2021
14 days / cat O ocean passage / CREW FULL WAITLIST ONLY
Crossing the Tasman Sea is one of the most revered ocean crossings on the planet and a true Category 0 Passage. With nothing but open ocean from the bottom of Australia/New Zealand to Antartica; 1,000nm to the south, the ocean swell can build in height with no land to stop it for more than 2,500nm until it hits the shores of the Pacific Islands. There are many reasons why more people have climbed Mount Everest than have sailed across the Tasman Sea and the rapidly changing nature of the Tasman Sea's weather system is one of them.
I have crossed the Tasman Sea eight times (two solo) and the keys to success include waiting for the weather window, downloading live weather en-route and sailing a vessel thats easy to mode for all wind and swell conditions. Despite its reputation for extreme conditions, the Tasman Sea is easy to cross safely if you stay clear of the winter storm season (late May to August) and wait for a safe weather window. It’s an absolute bucket-list voyage and a hugely satisfying personal achievement.
We'll depart Southport and spend the first 7-8 hours getting clear of the Australian Coast, before setting a course toward Lord Howe Island where we will tie up on a mooring in the lagoon for 1-2 nights on the western side and take the opportunity to swim, cycle, hike, relax and enjoy everything this stunning island has to offer. Then we will depart via a sail past of the unique Balls Pyramid, stretching almost 500m out of the ocean and head for the top of New Zealand's North Island to the destination of Opua in the Bay of Islands, where we will stop briefly and clear customs, before continuing to Auckland (known as the City of Sails) and the current home of the Americas Cup. The sea life, milky way, phosphorescence and tranquility of crossing an ocean and seeing no other vessels for the bulk of the voyage, really make this a special sailing experience.
Secure your place on the crew with a 20% deposit. Need more info? email: david@oceansailingpodcast.com.au
The 1,280nm route from Southport to Auckland via Lord Howe Island, Balls Pyramid and Opua across the infamous Tasman Sea.
As we are licensed for 2021 to operate commercially within the New Zealand and Australian 200nm Exclusive Economic Zones only, your passages across the Tasman Sea between these ports are offer as free bonus delivery trips, provided your sailing experience meets our requirements and you complete the pre-departure training. These delivery passages are normally only offered to crew that have sailed with us on Cat 0 passages previously, so your initial sailing leg/s with us are treated as part of the training process.
Leg 1: $4,750 - Southport to Lord Howe Island
Leg 2: $250 - Lord Howe Island to Balls Pyramid
Leg 3: $0 - Balls Pyramid to Opua (Bonus delivery leg)
Leg 4: $1,500 - Opua to Auckland
AUD $6,500
14 days
Additional media
Check out photo gallery highlights from previous Tasman Sea crossings.
Watch the highlights videos from my double Tasman Sea crossings.
Read the blog articles published by Lena Padukova after her 2019 Trans-Tasman on our last yacht; Ocean Gem.
Download the e-book version of: Sailing the Tasman Sea that I wrote in 2014.
Trans-Tasman Podcast Episodes
Listen to these podcast episodes 27, 28, 56 and 83 for previous 2013, 2018 & 2019 Tasman Sea crossing stories.
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 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 harbour 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.
Itinery
You can fly directly into Coolangatta or Brisbane on or before the 27th January 2021. When you arrive we will familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment and you will join us for a crew dinner ashore. Our crew will officially assemble on the 28th onwards and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) on the 29th January 2021, when we will clear Customs and depart from the Southport Yacht Club and head to Lord Howe Island for a short stopover before continuing onto Opua and then Auckland. You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive, but if you plan to arrive prior to 27th January, you may to arrange accommodation ashore. You can stay onboard when we arrive in Auckland around 6-7 February and should plan to depart out of Auckland Airport on or after 9 February. Its located 30-40 minutes by car/bus from Auckland CBD.
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, meals ashore in Southport, Lord Howe Island and on arrival in New Zealand, 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 towel are also included along with suncream.
Exclusions
Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, meals onshore at the destination, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. 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.
Review sailing calendar for all events