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Summer  2013
 

Polynesian Kingdom of Tonga

Island group of Vava'u

Video direct link:  https://youtu.be/HyCq3OSwDKk

 

Destination:  Vava'u Islands, Tonga

Dates:  June 12 to 21, 2013
    Board Wed  6/12  at 1400.   Chart briefing 1000
    Disembark Thu 6/21 by 1000.
    Length of sail trip:    9 nights 

Cost Estimate:  $1770  plus airfare
   see below for details

 

More information:

bulletFabulous coral snorkeling and diving
bulletIsolated white sand beaches
bulletFlat water, moderate wind sailing
bulletprotected by outer reefs
bulletOnly Pacific island chain not colonized.

Links:

bullet Moorings version
bullet Sailing and Weather conditions

Example Itinerary

9 nights reserved with a probable 'lay day' for intense relaxation or diving trips.

Match this sail trip with some time at a air connection stopover. 

Martinka's are anticipating spending a time in Fiji after sailing to Tonga. 

http://cdn.travelcafe.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/TongaMap2.gif

Airfare Ideas

bulletAirport Codes
bulletTBU  Tongatapu, Nukaalofa (Tonga's capital)
bulletVAV Lupepai'u Vavu'u Sailing Islands
bulletALK  Aukland stopover
bulletNAN  Nadi Fiji stopover
bulletSUV  Suva Fiji stopover.

Air ideas

  1. Air Pacific (Fiji national airlines)
  2. Air New Zealand Tongatapu
  3. Chatham's Pacific Airlines TBU to VAV
  4. Major airlines to the south pacific area include Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Quantas.

Other travel guidelines
   

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Sailboat Information

Reserved the Sunsail 38.4 Cat shown below.   Other boats are still available.

Used three charter's prices for estimates:  Moorings 41.3 sloop, Moorings 4300 cat, Sunsail 33 sloop, Oceanis 37 sloop, Sunsail 38 Cat, Charter World's Beneteau 37 sloop, Caine 384 Cat, Caine 43 Cat.

Boat Reservations  Layout and Specs

Sunsail 384 Catamaran

We sailed this boat in Thailand, April 2010.  Compact but economical. 

 
Sunsail 44i Sloop
More Specs
Moorings 4600 Catamaran
Massive and comfortable

Current Committed Sailors

Crew
Boat		 NAME STATUS AIRLINES
1 Joe Martinka
(1st boat skipper)		  
deposit received		 Air Pacific through Fiji, then Chathams to Vava'u
2 Dorian Martinka  
3 Arielle Martinka  
4 Peter Martinka  
5 Jeff Dunham deposit received TBD
6 Michelle Dunham TBD, maybe Air Pacific
7 Andrew Crabtree deposit received  
8 Elisabeth Crabtree  
9 next boat waitlist?    
       
       
 

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Other Links:

 

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Costs 

About  $16500 to $2100 per person  Under age children cost about $200 less.  No booze for them.

This is a cost that reflects a proposed 9  night trip.  It expects a split provisioning where additional 3 to 5 nights are at land restaurants in Tonga.   It does not reflect hotel or travel costs off the boat.

This cost was estimated based on the expected number of people who sign up, the cost of the boat(s) that we would reserve, partial provisioning (the food on board) with additional main course purchases, beverages, bar and a small buffer.  Some items are estimates, and are based on previous cruises.   We usually come in under estimates with only minor adjustments.

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Page update history

Sep 25, 2010 - First Draft
Sep 16, 2012 - Updated for 2013
October 16, 2012 - Updated with boat reservation
October 28, 212 - Updated with better trip estimates and two more sailor confirmations.
 
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