Hobart Australia to Picton New Zealand passage / 1,270 Nm / 2 – 14 Feb 2022
14 DAYS / CAT 1 OCEAN PASSAGE
Crossing the Tasman Sea is one of the most revered ocean crossings on the planet. With nothing but an open ocean from the bottom of Australia/New Zealand to Antarctica; 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.
Out skippers have crossed the Tasman Sea twelve times (two solos), the keys to success include waiting for the weather window, downloading live weather en-route and sailing a vessel that’s 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 Hobart and spend the first 7-8 hours getting clear of the Tasmanian Coast, before setting a course toward the top of New Zealand’s South Island to the destination of Waikawa Bay, Picton set in the famous cruising grounds of the Marlborough Sounds. The sea life, milky way, phosphorescence and tranquillity of crossing an ocean and seeing no other vessels for the bulk of the voyage, really make this a special sailing experience.
