Dates: July 12 – July 27 (to Mackay) 15 days or August 24 (to Darwin), 42 days
Price: 2 400 Euro
Nautical Miles: 1 150 NM – 2 630 NM
Start: Port Vila, Vanuatu
End: Mackay or Darwin, Australia
Vanuatu – Mackay
Skipper : Thomas Darholm, mobile +46 70 216 35 02
First mate: Johan Axelsson, mobile +46 70 958 35 84
Mackay – Darwin
Skipper: Mats Eriksson +46 70 558 38 45
An adventure of a lifetime. We’ll begin in the tropical paradise of Vanuatu, in the heart of the South Pacific, and set sail on a bluewater passage to Mackay, where the first leg of the voyage ends.
If you wish, you’re welcome to continue with us all the way to Darwin exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the wilds of the Northern Territory , sharing only the provisioning costs with the rest of the crew.
We will meet on July 12th in Vanuatu on the island of Efate, with the harbor located in the city of Port Vila. We will familiarize ourselves with Celeste of Solent, with each other, and with the other crews participating in the rally.
Port Vila is located around a magnificent natural harbour offering stunning views of Iririki and Ifira islands. The waterfront area is so unpolluted visitors can look down from the seawall and
see live corals and tropical fish.
Port Vila is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. It is a relatively small city with a population of about 50,000. It is a cosmopolitan city with residents from various ethnic backgrounds, including ni-Vanuatu (the country’s indigenous people), French, Australian, Chinese, and other immigrant groups.
The island of Efate is one of the larger islands in Vanuatu and the most populated. The island has varied terrain, with both high mountains, rainforests, and coastal areas. There are several villages where we can experience traditional Vanuatu culture, as well as many beaches and coral reefs. The island’s road network is relatively simple, with a road that circles the entire island, making it possible to explore many of its scenic spots.
The sail towards Mackay starts on July 17th.
The days leading up to departure will be spent on preparations and exploring Port Vila and Efate. WARC will also organize a gathering for all crews before the start.
Before we depart we will do the route planning and have a thorough safety briefing.
We have a relatively long ocean passage ahead of us. The sailing is estimated to take 7 days, covering 1150 NM.
We will have plenty of time to get into the routines of offshore sailing. As a crew member onboard Celeste you become part of the team, taking turns steering, navigating, trimming, etc and we also take turns with other onboard duties like cooking. We will divide into three watch teams with 3 hours on duty and 6 hours off.
The waters around Vanuatu are rich in wildlife, and humpback whales usually arrive in the area this time of year. The whales mate in the waters around the islands. The humpback whale is known for its breaching and its song.
The last stretch before arriving in Mackay takes us through the eastern part of the Great Barrier Reef. Perhaps we will have time to stop and snorkel on the reef.
In Mackay, we will dock at the Marina, which features restaurants and cafés. Mackay a laid-back coastal town known for its sugarcane fields and stunning beaches. The city is located in the state of Queensland and offers a mix of industrial and natural beauty, with its coastal location making it a popular destination for nature lovers and adventure travelers.
Queensland’s coastline is one of Australia’s most spectacular and varied, known for its incredible natural beauty and biodiversity. It is home to some of the world’s most iconic sites, such as the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 km along the coast of Queensland. It is home to thousands of marine species, including colorful corals, fish, turtles, and sharks. It is a popular destination for snorkeling, diving, and marine research.
Queensland’s coast offers an unparalleled combination of tropical adventure, untouched nature, and marine life that we will have the opportunity to experience.
The leg ends in Mackay, Queensland, Australia on July 27th. You can either disembark in Mackay or continue sailing with us all the way to Darwin at no extra cost other than sharing the food expenses with the rest of the crew.
We will be leaving the bustling east coast behind, trading it for the vast, open waters of the Coral Sea. We will sail past the Whitsunday Islands, where turquoise waters and vibrant coral reefs create a sailor’s paradise.
We will keep our eyes peeled for dolphins playing in our wake or humpback whales breaching in the distance; the wildlife in this part of the world is nothing short of spectacular.
As we sail northward, the landscape begins to change. The Great Barrier Reef slips away, replaced by the wild and rugged beauty of Cape York Peninsula. This is true adventurer territory—where dense rainforests meet red, rocky cliffs, and the sea teems with life.
The fishing here is world-class, so we will probably throw a line overboard and see what we can catch for dinner? The culture are a fascinating mix of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and the local communities have rich traditions dating back tens of thousands of years.
Rounding the tip of Australia, we will sail into the Arafura Sea, where the tropical heat intensifies and the waters deepen to a rich sapphire blue. We are now on the home stretch to Darwin, but there are still plenty of adventures to be had. We might consider a detour to the Tiwi Islands, where we can experience the unique culture and warm hospitality of the Tiwi people.
Finally we will make our approach to Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory. This vibrant, multicultural city is a melting pot of cultures, with a rich history and a laid-back vibe that makes it the perfect place to end our journey.
We will dock at the Darwin Marina and swap stories with fellow sailors of the World ARC.
Read more about what to expect Sailing on Celeste
Read more about the Rally: Word Cruising Club
SAILING ROUND THE WORLD 