Featured Destination
Papua New Guinea, Bougainville: Friendly and Welcoming Vibes Everywhere
Long term South Pacific cruisers Birgit Hackl and Christian Feldbauer are currently cruising in Papua New Guinea and in September/October 2025 they spent three weeks visiting the islands of Bougainville. Despite travel warnings and negative reports, they experienced responsive and helpful officials - as well as friendly and welcoming locals - wherever they went. This is their cruising report.
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Caribbean: Jamaica in the Path of Hurricane Melissa
Tropical Storm Melissa has been upgraded to Hurricane status and is expected to rapidly intensify into a Major Hurricane by the end of the weekend bringing life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding and landslides into parts of southern Haiti and Jamaica according to the US National Hurricane Center.
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Solomon Islands: A Very Enjoyable Six Month Cruise
The Solomon Islands offer a convenient way to bypass Australia when sailing from Vanuatu to South East Asia or vice-versa and is a good option if you have pets onboard according to long time cruisers Luc and Jackie Callebaut. With uncrowded anchorages and only a few regular tourists, this is a great place to visit says Luc in this report on their six months spent cruising the archipelago.
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Sailing to South Africa? Learn About The Mozambique Channel
When sailing to South Africa and going down the Mozambique channel there are a few important factors to consider. One is the Agulhas current running north to south and the other is the two prevailing wind directions. Combined, with polar fronts peeling off from the lower latitudes, sailors need to be prepared for short weather windows, dangerous seas and very limited safe havens. Read this useful guidance report from Vince Nel, Director of OSASA.
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EU Confirms October 12 Start Date for New Entry/Exit System
Non-EU sailors need to be aware that EES begins on 12 October. The 29 European countries using the EES will gradually introduce the new data collection system at their external border crossing points, with full implementation by 10 April 2026. Find out what you need to know.
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Guinea Bissau, Bijagos Archipelago: An Unknown Paradise
Why rush to cross the Atlantic for the Caribbean, say Knut Kähler and Bianka Martens of SV Habiby, when there is so much to see on the eastern side? Having sailed from the Canaries to Cape Verdes, they spent time exploring West Africa. After Senegal and Gambia, the highlight was Guinea Bissau – a former Portuguese colony – that they say, despite the tricky navigation, was an “unknown paradise”.
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Comment on Fiji
Note to clarify recent experience regarding 48 hours notice for arrival requirements. Recent incidents of smuggling of band substances and arms aboard cruising yachts has increased the rigour and precise application of official regulations of the advance arrival notification for cruising boats...
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New Zealand: Understanding Biofouling Requirements
Cruisers heading to New Zealand to escape the South Pacific Cyclone season or as part of their round the world adventure are being advised to make sure they are fully conversant with the Ministry of Primary Industry’s strict biofouling inspection requirements, so they do not have any clearance issues on arrival.
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Choosing the Right Flying Sail Sheets and Control Lines
There’s nothing better than downwind sailing with a spinnaker, cruising chute or other light weight flying sail. But when it comes to choosing the right sheets and control lines for these flying sails, there are a number key performance factors to consider as outlined in this report from Jimmy Green Marine.
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Electronic Navigation Systems – Guidance for Safe Use on Leisure Vessels
The Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) Small Craft Group has published an updated edition of its Electronic Navigation Systems – Guidance for Safe Use on Leisure Vessels booklet, which includes the latest developments in navigation technology, user feedback from across the leisure marine sector as well as a new section on astronavigation as a vital backup to electronic methods.
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