The islands of the South Pacific are some of the most beautiful in the world and the ocean voyage that is required to properly visit these tropical paradises is in itself an experience of a lifetime. If you feel the call of the warm ocean breeze and sun drenched beaches of the South Pacific, there are scores of sailing expeditions you should look into. If you just want to relax and have someone else take care of the sailing work, however, you could also look into Fiji cruise packages that include individual or group accommodation, food, beverages and entertainment. If you are more of the hands-on adventurous type, consider the following tips to help you prepare for an experience you will never forget!
Wet Suits
You might think a wet suit is only for the cold waters of the northern and arctic seas, but you will be grateful for the protection of a wet suit if you plan on spending a lot of time in the South Pacific waters. Even at 25 degrees, the ocean waters could chill your body quickly, especially if you are snorkelling or diving for more than an hour. Another great use for a wet suit is when you are scraping krill and carbuncles off the hull of your boat. Not only will the suit keep you warm as you pry these hitchhikers off your vessel, it will also protect you when they try to squirm their way into the crevices of your body. Yuck!
Good Boating Gear
Having good quality boating gear is something you will appreciate on a daily basis. At times the only thing you can rely on in the middle of the ocean is your gear, so you will want to ensure everything from your boat autopilot pump to your outboard motor, and your life jacket to your fire extinguishers, are up to scratch and working well. Of course, even the best gear can get worn out or broken so make sure you have an expert inspect and fix your gear before you head for open waters.
Provisioning Advice
Aside from gear, the next things you will absolutely need are provisions to tide you over through the between ports period. French Polynesia has the best prices in the South Pacific for provisions, as well as plenty of government-subsidized products like canned butter, powdered milk and pasta. Don’t forget luxuries like couscous, paté and wine — once you leave French Polynesia, you won’t find these again until you hit New Caledonia. Before you leave port, stock up well! One provision that is almost universally available in the South Pacific is lamb meat, and no matter where you go you will find good quality lamb at very reasonable prices. Some other good provisioning ports in the South Pacific are Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, PagoPago and of course, Fiji. You will also be able to stock up in New Zealand and Australia.
Trade Items
It is always a good idea to have good trading items with you when travelling to remote places. It’s not wise depend on currency to obtain souvenirs and supplies from locals living off the beaten path — your currency is useless to them and they may not even use a currency at all. Stock up on items like jewellery, novelty items, clothing or fabric, used gear, good used wet suits, food and so on, and use these to barter for the things you want. When you are replenishing your provisions, be sure to stock up on a lot of tropical fruits, as the atolls can grow very little and the locals there will gladly trade for fruits like papaya, mango, limes and bananas.
About the author
Tom Mallet is an Australian freelance writer and journalist. He writes extensively in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the US, adding an Asian twist once in a while. He’s published more than 500 articles about various topics.
By Olivia GrilHey Folks! I'm Olivia from California, United States. I'm a blogger, travel lover, I can travel anywhere, whether it's a new place or already visited. I love meeting new people, clicking photos of every movement, and documenting my adventure. I also, write about travel, travel movies, the best places to visit, etc. Read my stories.
