Hamilton Island, Australia to Picton, New Zealand / 1,820nm / 17 Days / CAT 1 Ocean passage

Departing from the spectacular Hamilton Island in Australia’s Whitsundays, we’ll head south to the bottom of the Great Barrier Reef and then alter course to SE to cross the Tasman Sea, one of the most revered ocean crossings on the planet.

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.

David has crossed the Tasman Sea six times (two solo) on Ocean Gem, 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 early August) and wait for a safe weather window. It’s an absolute bucket-list voyage and a hugely satisfying personal achievement.

We’ll depart Hamilton Island and first two days getting clear of the Great Barrier Reef, 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  tranquility of  crossing an ocean and seeing no other vessels for the bulk of the voyage, really make this a special sailing experience.