To help in fundraising our project we offer a limited amount of bunks in the next 3 years to people who are prepared to participate as crew. Please ask us about expected donations
The itinerary below shows what we have planed for our crew in 2025. All bunks for this year are now filled.
Our voyage in 2026 will be very similar. Don’t miss out, as we already have a waiting list.
First leg ETD 01/08/2025 Opua to Tanna (970miles)
Allow 3 days either side
This is an open ocean voyage. It will suit those who have always dreamed of crossing an ocean under sail and those who need mileage for advanced tickets or approval for Cat1 to be allowed to leave NZ on their own vessel .
To start this voyage we need an appropriate weather window that will promise us winds that will allow us to reach or run towards our destination. Such a window appears on average every 5- 7 days. This timeframe needs to be taken into account by anyone who wants to join us, as it will determine actual departure day and in turn have an influence on all following ETDs.
ETA 08/08/2025 Tanna in Vanuatu.
We will clear customs in Port Resolution, and will make this Port our base for land excursions on the island of Tanna. Highlight will be a visit to the crater of the active volcano Mount Yasur. A visit to the John Frum village where the cargo cult is celebrated.
A kava ceremony under sacred giant banyan trees, local prepared food, and a 4wd ride into the ash plane of the volcano and into the interior of Tanna, where time has stood still.
ETD Tanna 15/08/2025 to Futuna (40 miles)
Futuna is not visited by yachts, because the bad anchorage will only allow a stay in good weather for a few hours. But these few hours will provide enough time to get a glimpse of an Island life that is unique. The villages are nestled on the cliffs of this steep island and walkways often consist of ladders or ropes along a narrow cliff path.
ETD Futuna to Eromango 15/08/2025 ( 70miles)
Eromango is unspoiled from tourism. Yachts do stop in Dillon bay, but usually only to have a rest on the passage between Port Vila and Port Resolution. It is therefore worth staying a few days and take a local guide to show us the caves with human skulls, the sandal wood plantation or the virgin forest.
ETD 18/08/2025 Eromango to Efate. (95miles)
Efate is the main Island of Vanuatu and city of Port Vila still contains the old charm of a Pacific capital. Busy, traffic jams, potholes and chaos combined with always smiling locals, an overflowing local market that is open 24 hours a day, and waterfront restaurants that finally offer the pina-coladas that we have been dreaming about the last 3 weeks.
As we are a registered charity, we see your contribution as a donation towards our project. Check with your accountant if you can claim this donation in your tax return.
Included are all meals on board, harbour fees, fuels and the use of kayaks and dinghies. Excluded are shore tour fees if applicable, spirits and flight costs.
This could be the final port of our sailors and after 3 weeks their holiday time might be exhausted.
All crew spaces for this leg are now taken. Please apply to be put on our waiting list, or book in early for our identical voyage in August 2026. The number on our waiting list will determine if we use a second boat for this upcoming voyage.
Second leg New crew , who might be not so ambitious for a long ocean voyage will arrive, but depending on your bookings ( leg 1 and 2) you could also stay on for another 10 day Island explore and continue north until Luganville to the next international airport.
ETD 22/08/2025 Port Vila to EPI Island (60miles)
Laman Bay on Epi Island offers all that is expected on a tropical holiday. Swimming and snorkeling with turtles and over intact coral reefs.
Locally operated affordable niche restaurants with homemade cuisine consisting of seafood and fresh produce from nearby organic gardens. Palm groves and white sandy beaches and always friendly locals.
ETD 25/08/25 EPI Island to Malacula (20miles)
There is excellent snorkeling and a very good chance to see dugongs in the Maskelyne group.
ETD 27/08/2025 Port Sandwich to Ambrym (20miles)
Mangoes should be ripe, and the road in the village is covered by big mango trees. Ambrym is also known for some of the best wood carvers, and the night time spectacle of it`s large volcano is unforgettable.
ETD 29/08/2025 to Louganville (65 miles)
For those who are into diving, Million Dollar Point is a must and the wreck of the SS President Coolidge needs no introduction. The largest island of Vanuatu is worth exploring with the help of a local
All crew spaces for this leg are now taken please apply to be put on our waiting list, or book in early for a similar voyage in August 2026. The number on our waiting list will determine if we use a second boat for this upcoming voyage
SY MANAWANUI will now take on board members of our team (Mimi George, Kyle and more) and will start her project on her way up to the Temotu province. There is very limited space for additional sailors, and the itinerary cannot be clearly defined, as it depends very much on weather and the time we may need for our discussion with the village elders and representatives. Please ask early for available space.
Leg 4 We should return to Vanuatu by the end of October or November and will have space again for some crew who are wanting to experience Aotearoa on the horizon and complete the return voyage with us to New Zealand. We anticipate reaching New Zealand by the end of November or mid-December.
The return voyage could be boarded in Luganville or Port Vila. Its exact itinerary is not defined at this stage, but updates will in our newsletter and sent out to those who plan to join us in October
All crew spaces for this leg are now taken, please ask to be put on our waiting list, or book in early for a similar voyage in 2026.
Manawanui Project 