just wanna ask the brains trust about any good books people know of about these areas. And 1 question quickly for those who've done it.
Does the route from hayman to solomons to Norfolk then nz make sense?
I need to make a plan for big trip coming up this year.
thanks
Yep I'd be interested that as well as I'm planning to sail from Airlie out to Vanuatu then up to the Solomons, leaving early June.
I have taken a boat from Airlie Beach, around the tip of PNG to the far north. I have visited Honiara and Gizo a number of times (by plane for work) but taken day trips out and its great.
But it is along way across the Coral sea at 6knts or less. I suggest a bit of a stop off in PNG.
The easterly tip of PNG, Alotau, and the Islands around there like Samurai are quite amazing. Its not quite what you might think of PNG (from the Aust Media). The population is mainly Polynesian, the Islands almost exclusively. Whereas the rest of PNG, is Melanesian, as is the Solomon's, and Vanuatu. Travel a bit around the tip to Tufi....and you will be amazed, its a tropical fjord, all though the area has amazing WW2 history above and below the water.
You can clear customs in Alotau or Samurai (best to let the know you are coming, Alotau has international freight so its always manned, Samurai has more "islander" staffing) Samurai was actually the base, for the early Australian administration.
The advantage is that there are a multitude of Islands for safe havens in case of the weather, so you can island hop - rather than waiting for 4-5 day safe window. Which may take a while as generally the "good" weather also means no wind.
Dick Sielings book, Solomon Islands cruising guide, is available through the Island Cruising Association of New Zealand.
