Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore.
Dream.
Discover.
- Mark Twain (1835-1910)
SAILING THE WORLD'S OCEANS
Kailani has logged over 50,000 miles on ocean and coastal passages since 2010 when she left on her maiden voyage from Marmaris, Turkey across the Mediterranean. These passages have been diverse, and she has circled the globe one and half times since then.
She has traversed the world’s largest oceans and crossed some of the more iconic seas: North and South Atlantic, North and South Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean, Caribbean, throughout the Southeast Asian seas, including the famed Straits of Malacca.
Kailani has made passages as short as a week and as long as three weeks between ports. Sometimes our passages allow for stops at mid-ocean reefs and uninhabited archipelagoes, such as Minerva, Chesterfield, and Chagos.
UPCOMING OCEAN PASSAGES
Kailani Ocean Adventures’ 2024 series of passages through the South Pacific will provide our crew with plenty of great sailing, lots of learning opportunities and the unique experience of arriving by sail in some very exotic locales. These destinations represent gems of the South Pacific, unique destinations that are rewarding in terms of both the journey to get there and the culture and beauty that await. For those looking to go beyond the adventure of it all and build on their sailing skills and knowledge, there will be the special challenges of weather, navigation and pilotage among the islands, reefs and lagoons of the South Pacific.
2024 Passage 1
Vava’u, Tonga to Fiji (Port TBD)
Distance: 850 nm, 5 days
Dates: mid September 2024, TBD
Cost: $1,100 per berth
Berths: 3 available
This mid-season run between tropical Tonga to Fiji is characterized by trade wind sailing at its best. Choosing an ideal weather window will allow Kailani to complete this passage in short order, and the crew will be exposed to down wind sailing techniques, perhaps flying wing-and-wing if the winds call for it. A fun ride between two of the most classic sailing destinations in the South Pacific.
2024 Passage 2
Nadi, Fiji to New Zealand (Port TBD)
Distance: 1,200 nm, 7 days
Dates: mid November 2024, TBD
Cost: $1,395 per berth
Berths: 3 available
Departing from the culturally rich Pacific Island port in Nadi, Fiji and sailing into New Zealand makes for one of the classic ocean passage arrivals. In between lies 1,200 nm of the Pacific, passing from the trade winds through the variables. The chance of encountering at least one fall gale will make for some exciting sailing with opportunities for crew to practice interpretation of weather forecasts and sail planning to optimize conditions.
PREVIOUS OCEAN PASSAGES
2024: Caribbean / Panama
2024 Passage: Tortola, BVIs to Colon, Panama – 1,049 nm
Classically this is a “rocket ride” from the leewards of the Caribbean to Colon, Panama while sailing strong northeasterly trades dead down wind. However, on this passage Kailani was faced with an atypical weather pattern that resulted in extremely light winds. This allowed crew to fly Kailani’s Code Zero sail and learn the nuances of light air sailing. The crew enjoyed calm seas and tropical blues of ocean and sky, completing this run in just under 8 days.
2023: US / Antigua
2023 Passage: Annapolis, MD to English Harbour, Antigua – 2,084 nm
This route is typically undertaken from the US to Caribbean around Nov 1st once hurricane season in the tropics is officially over. Departing from Maryland the crew cruised down the Chesapeake Bay and timed their crossing of the Gulf Stream perfectly in order to not encounter any of the seasonal adverse wind against current conditions which can result in extremely dangerous waves. The rest of the passage was typical of the variables – wind shifts, storms and calms. The crew worked well together to maximize VMG and honed their skills with heavy weather sailing, completing the run in 12 days.
2019: Antigua / Bermuda
2019 Passage: Falmouth Harbour, Antigua to Bermuda – 950 nm
Getting north from the Caribbean before the start of hurricane season in May, Kailani and crew departed Antigua bound for Bermuda with an ideal weather window forecast for passage. Mid-passage a tropical storm formed and was due to pass directly over Kailani’s rhumb line. As such, the crew hove-to for just over 16 hours to let the worst of it pass. On its backside, Kailani was able to take advantage of the favorable wind quarter and sailed on up to Bermuda without any further major weather events. The passage highlighted the importance of weather forecasting and sail plan adjustments to optimize safety of both crew and Kailani. The crew arrived into Convict Bay off of St. Georges after just under 7 days at sea, ready to take advantage of Bermuda’s welcoming people and charming historical villages.
2015: New Zealand / New Caledonia
2015 Passage: Marsden Cove, New Zealand to New Caledonia – 1,000 nm
Choosing a weather window for the passage from New Zealand up to the islands in May is a tricky endeavor, as this time of year the forecasts are constantly changing. Kailani departed and was faced with winds forward of the beam for the entire 6 day passage to New Caledonia, but the crew and Kailani faired fine after some rough sailing beating into the seas and winds. The lovely port of Noumea with all of its quintessential French charm and cuisine made landfall that much sweeter.
2014: New Caledonia / New Zealand
2014 Passage: Noumea, New Caledonia to Marsden Cove, New Zealand - 980nm
As is typical for a November passage from the islands to New Zealand, choosing the right departure date is key. The crew departed Noumea with the last delectable croissants digesting as they enjoyed light southeasterly winds for the first 48 hours. As forecast, a large high pressure system then settled in, so Kailani varied between light air sailing and motoring to make as much southwesterly before the winds were to fill in from the northwest. While the occasional squall with light winds and rain provided great deck rinses and the opportunity to change up the sail plan, for the remainder of the 5 day passage the crew enjoyed mostly clear nights, bright stars, and winds from behind of 20-25 kts.
2013: Tonga / Fiji / New Zealand
2013 Passage 2: Vuda Point, Fiji to New Zealand – 1,120 nm
This classic end of austral winter season passage from the islands back down to New Zealand was optimized by Kailani taking advantage of an ideal weather window. Starting off in the trades with south-easterly winds Kailani made as much south-westward progress as possible before transiting into the variables when the wind veered more westerly, when she was then able to make the rhumb line to New Zealand. The passage was a short 6 days and Kailani was able to skirt any major “squash zones” that are typical at this time of year due to storms rolling out of the bight of Australia. This sail plan exemplified the importance of following the time-honored sailing directions for this classic passage.
2013 Passage 1: Opua, NZ to Tonga – 1,210 nm
This passage by Kailani was completed in 8 days, the crew handling a major “squash zone” weather system that created winds in excess of 40+ kts. While surfing the resultant huge waves in this clear air gale Kailani hit a top speed of 22 kts, and at one point she was pooped by a breaking wave from the stern. The crew handled the adverse weather well, and learned the critical skills of interpreting frequent weather updates, along with safety at sea during heavy weather sailing. Once the system passed Kailani light air dominated as the crew completed the journey into Tonga with winds less than 10 kts for the final 4 days. The light air sails were deployed and Kailani’s slippery hull eased on up to Tonga. A passage with many extremes!
2012: US / Tonga / Fiji / New Zealand
2012 Passage 2: Fiji to Opua, New Zealand - 1,135 nm
This route to New Zealand is sailed by dozens of boats each year as they seek to avoid the southern hemisphere cyclone season. Kailani and crew sailed just a bit over 7 days to make landfall in the beautiful Bay of Islands of New Zealand. This season’s weather was characteristically variable, and the sailing conditions varied from gales to calms. Kailani took one 30 foot rogue wave which she and the crew handled well.
2012 Passage 1: San Francisco, CA to Tonga - 4,667 nm
Kailani completed this 4,657nm passage in just over 23 days, experiencing predominantly beam reach conditions for the entire run. This lengthy passage gave the crew ample time to immerse themselves in passage planning nuances, weather routing and interpretations, communications at sea with the SSB, and keys to effective watch systems. After this lengthy time at sea Kailani made landfall in the beautiful anchorage of Neiafu, Vava’u Island. Good wind, a fast boat and a great crew. For an amusing passage highlight, follow the link Booby lands on Captain Harley.
2011: Caribbean / Panama Canal / San Francisco
2011 Passage 3: Cabo San Lucas, MX to San Francisco, CA - 1,200 nm
Kailani completed this 1,200 nm passage in just over 9 sailing days, overnighting along the way in San Diego, the Cojo anchorage, and Half Moon Bay. Waiting for the perfect weather windows by making these stops made this notoriously upwind passage to Kailani’s home port a sweet adventure in the company of migrating whales.
2011 Passage 2: Panama to Cabo San Lucas, MX - 2,200 nm
Kailani completed this 2,200 nm run, including a Panama Canal transit, in a little over 15 days. Spending most of those miles motorsailing due to light or adverse winds, Kailani and crew did an overnight stop in Huatulco, Mexico to fuel and check-in, followed by a second fuel stop in Barre Navidad, Mexico. While most of the passage was motor sailing into head seas, or making way under light winds, Kailani averaged a speed of 7.3 kts while underway. The passage highlights included dolphins by the hundreds, turtles by the score, remarkable sunsets, welcome sunrises and night watches with the moon bright enough to read by.
2011 Passage 1: Rodney Bay, St. Lucia to Panama - 1,225 nm
Kailani completed the 1,225 mile passage from St. Lucia in just under 7 days. All but the last 7 hours was under sail until the wind died, causing her to motor sail the last 50 miles into Cristobal, Panama. A classic downwind run in the trade winds was enjoyed by all aboard, rotating between sailing and surfing (at one point topping 16 kts, helped a bit by a favorable current!), fishing, cooking, sunrises, sunsets, all while accompanied by a waxing moon that helped ease the late night watches.
2010: Mediterranean / Caribbean
2010 Passage 2: Palma de Mallorca, Spain to Rodney Bay, St. Lucia - 3,985 nm
Kailani escaped the Med through the Straits of Gibraltar only hours before a series of gales blew in from the west and closed the Gut for two weeks. By the time Kailani and crew were off the Canaries the wind had started to go light and for the next 1,500 miles she averaged little better than 5 knots. When the wind did fill in Kailani was able to show her real strengths with daily runs of over 225 miles. The crew entertained themselves during their watches by hand steering the swell to get Kailani surfing. The record: 18.8 kts over the ground. Unfortunately no crew member could take credit as Kailani was on autopilot at the time. This long 25 day passage included an equator crossing, many days of cribbage and creative cooking with dwindling food stores. This made the rewards of landfall in St. Lucia, and the quintessential cheeseburgers and beers upon arrival a true celebration.
2010 Passage 1: Marmaris, Turkey to Palma de Mallorca, Spain - 1,290 nm
This passage was broken in two roughly equal legs by a stop in the historic port of Valletta on the island of Malta. When the wind blew it did so primarily out of the west making much of this passage a beat to weather in the short choppy seas of the Mediterranean. We had two non- sailors aboard who worked hard to become competent crew by the end of the passage.
Talk to us
Have questions about making a passage with Kailani Ocean Adventures? We are happy to help you determine if this is the right fit for your needs.