Both Tonga and Fiji are iconic and world-famous archipelagos. On this voyage, you will visit them both. The Kingdom of Tonga consists of 177 islands, 36 of which are inhabited. The Dutch Schouten and Lemaire were the first Westerners to ‘discover’ this archipelago. The islands are hundreds of miles apart. Our journey starts on Rarotonga. With the southeast trade, we can count on a quick crossing. The total distance we must cover is not more than 420 miles, so we have plenty of time. There are many reefs and islets on our route and this area was once known as the most dangerous cruising ground in this part of the Pacific. With our modern navigation tools, it has become a lot easier, but good navigation remains important.

First, the captain has to decide which passages to use, because you can’t just go anywhere between the islands. The strong current does not make it easy for the navigator anyway and there is of course not much buoyancy. The Nanuku passage is a good option. Taking this passage, Savusavu, on the south coast of Vanua Levu, is the closest destination in Fiji. Here we can clear customs and get our permit for the rest of the trip. If we want to go directly to Savu, it might make more sense to clear customs in Levuka, on Ovalau Island. Yet another option is to sail north from Tonga first and then use the Oneata passage. Whatever we do, you are sure to have time to get to know the islands and the people of Fiji. We read up in advance as many communities in Fiji are still very traditional and we visitors need to know and respect the local customs.

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 2

Level 2-voyages are suitable for anyone in good health and a reasonable level of fitness, without mobility issues. On these voyages, you can expect days with strong winds or high waves, but most of the time the conditions will be good. A harbor is not always nearby and (medical) help from shore is therefore not always 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.