Island Cruising Association Rally to the Pacific 2010

1:16 AM Thu 26 Nov 2009 GMT

'Sunset in Vava’u - Island Cruising Association Rally' David McKay Click Here to view large photo

The Island Cruising Association, based in Auckland New Zealand, has released their timetable for the 2010 rally around the beautiful islands of the SW Pacific. Yachts can join the rally at various ports including Opua, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu or New Caledonia. The rally leave Opua on 1st May 2010. Spending an average of six weeks in each country, the rally returns in November to New Zealand.

With a good weather window, the trip from Opua, Bay of Islands, to Pangaimotu Island, Tonga takes six days for the 1100nm. Celebrations in Tonga follow and then it is northward through the archipelago to visit the remote Haa'pai group and Vava'u. A visit to Niuatoputapu will follow before clearing out in late June to travel to Savusavu in Fiji.

Yachts can cruise in company or independently whilst in country. The rally regroups in Musket cove, near Nadi in the west before departing for the three day trip to Oyster Island off Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu in early August. Cruisers can experience the many wonders of this fantastic island chain and even dive the magnificent wreck of the President Coolidge.

In late September the rally will leave Port Vila, bound for the magical island of Ouvea in the French Loyalties. It is only 180nm to this tropical paradise of azure water and bone white beaches. From Ouvea, the rally will cruise over the northern end of the Grand Terre and then head south to Noumea.

It is planned to clear out of Noumea on 22nd October but actually leave from the Ile de Pins early November for the run home to either NZ or Australia or other ports. The rally structure provides excellent support for all clearance formalities as well as many discounts on various marine services. Of course, there is the possibility to make new friends without the need to stay within the rally all the time.

See the website www.islandcruising.co.nz for more details.