From Fiji we sail to New Zealand. With this trip we leave the tropical part of the Pacific Ocean. We can still count on favorable conditions for the first half of the voyage. The weather is good and the water and air warm. The second half of the crossing, south of the 30th parallel, we enter a different climatic zone. The weather here is extremely changeable. In the southern spring, a cold front passes every few days. The accompanying weather resembles to what we know in the Netherlands and England in spring: rain, wind alternating with clear spells.

The best tactic for this crossing is to look closely at the weather reports and make sure that we do indeed encounter such a cold front somewhere in the middle of the journey. Prior to such a front, the weather is often good, with an easterly wind. The front is often still weak around 30 degrees south latitude and the accompanying weather is therefore not too bad and with a bit of luck we will be in New Zealand before the next front comes over. A perfect strategy on paper! The biggest ‘danger’ on this route is coming into strong southwest winds. Most ships therefore choose to steer a bit of a westerly course so that they can bare off if the southwest wind does come. Enough to talk about for sailors and because of the changing circumstances there is always a lot to do on deck. We will not be bored this trip.

Our destination Opua is in the beautiful Bay of Islands. This is where we get clear in the country. New Zealand itself probably needs no further explanation. You should get to know this beautiful country better and it would be incomprehensible not to take the opportunity to do so after this sailing trip.

Before and after your voyage leg
We strongly recommend you book a few days accommodation in the port of your embarkation (prior to your joining Oosterschelde), and a few days in the port you disembark (after your place on the voyage ends). This will allow you to recover before and after your adventure and will give you the opportunity to explore locations at your start and end points.

More than an Adventure!
By taking part in the Global Voyage, you support the DARWIN200 project. As part of your adventure, you will receive the following exclusive benefits:

1. A full color, 300-page, hardback book as a momento of your adventure on board.
2. A short video which will be filmed during each voyage leg.
3. An invitation to the Start of Voyage Party in Plymouth on 13/08/2023.
4. An invitation to the End of Voyage Party in Falmouth on 20/07/2025.
5. An invitation to the DARWIN200 Concluding Award Ceremony in London in summer, 2025. Meet environmental celebrities, the young conservationists (‘DARWIN LEADERS’) and take part in a prize-giving ceremony.
6. Acknowledgement and thanks by name on all DARWIN200 output films throughout the global voyage (although anonymity will be respected, if requested).
7. Free DARWIN200 Global Voyage branded T-shirt!

DARWIN200
Become part of DARWIN200, a planetary conservation initiative that will empower the next generation’s elite environmental leaders and engage millions of students worldwide in conservation projects. By taking part in the Global Voyage, you will be helping to make the DARWIN200 project a reality. For more information visit: www.darwin200.com.

Q & A sessions
Interested in joining? Join our live information session about the 2023-25 Global Voyage. Each Information Session is beamed via Zoom and includes an overview of the global voyage, information about each of the 32 voyage legs, a live walk around Oosterschelde (when her schedule allows) and a Questions and Answers exchange.

Join the next info session via www.darwin200.com/info.

Level 3

Level 3-voyages are only suitable for the experienced and fit (sea)traveler. The weather could be challenging and during a crossing, there a few if not any options to divert to a harbor. We sail out of reach of helicopters and medical care from shore is usually not available.

The shipping company would like the OOSTERSCHELDE to be accessible to the widest possible audience, but you must realize that you are making a voyage aboard a seagoing tall ship. This requires more of your physical ability than a daily walk. Some voyages are more challenging than others. With the different levels, we give an indication of how heavy the voyage can be. If you are unsure whether a voyage is suitable for you, it is important to contact shipping company OOSTERSCHELDE for advice.