Leg 2: Hilo to the Marquesas Islands
Departure: Friday June 19 | Arrival: Monday July 6 | 17 days
Distance: ~2,000 nm | Berths: 4 available | Cost: $7,900 per single berth
Fly into Hilo (ITO) | Fly out of Nuku Hiva (NHV)
The Passage
Leg 2 takes us from Hilo directly into the heart of the Pacific trades on a classic 2,000-mile downwind run to the Marquesas. Once provisioned and cleared out of Hawaiʻi Island, we set a south–southwest course to remain in stable easterlies and avoid the light-air regions near the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). As we approach 0° latitude, we’ll manage typical ITCZ conditions — scattered convection, line squalls, and brief variations in wind strength — all excellent opportunities to refine trim, reefing, and decision-making underway.
Crossing the Equator is a major milestone of the season. We’ll record the moment, share the traditional ceremony, and continue into the Southern Hemisphere where the breeze settles again and our daily runs increase. The remainder of the passage is consistent tradewind sailing with 15–25 kt winds, long-period swells, warm air, and fast, comfortable miles.
We budget 150 nm days with a healthy weather and routing buffer. If we arrive ahead of schedule, the Marquesas offer dramatic anchorages, powerful volcanic landscapes, archaeological sites, excellent snorkeling, and the warm hospitality that defines this remote archipelago.
Expect steady downwind conditions, excellent fishing, brilliant equatorial night skies, and the deep ocean rhythm that makes this one of the most rewarding passages of the entire season.
What to Expect
This is an active, hands-on expedition with meaningful 1:1 instruction, limited to six expedition members. You will rotate through daily roles — navigator, weather lead, mechanic/systems, cleaning crew, cook, and rigging inspector — in addition to standing full watch rotations.
Most days include 1–3 hours of instruction, shaped by conditions and crew interest:
• Celestial Navigation in Practice
Daily sun and star sights under equatorial skies, reduced and plotted on paper charts.• Weather and Routing
Understanding the ITCZ, squall formation, convection cells, GRIB interpretation, and satellite imagery.• Squalls, Heavy-Weather & Downwind Tactics
Rapid reefing, squall management, drogue/wake-line demonstrations, and safe downwind sail handling.• Systems Management
Power generation, electrical budgeting, engine checks, watermaker care, and onboard diagnostics.• Full Watch Rotations
Helming, trim adjustments, night watches, cloud identification, barometric trends, and participation in routing decisions.
You'll finish this leg with practical tradewind experience, meaningful celestial skills, and a deeper understanding of how a modern expedition vessel operates on extended bluewater passages.
Additional Details
Passage time: ~12–15 days under sail, plus buffer for routing and landfall.
Average run: ~150–200 nm/day; occasional 220+ nm days in strong trades.
Conditions: Warm from day one with steady easterlies, predictable swell, and occasional ITCZ squalls. Nights feature brilliant equatorial skies and the brightest Milky Way views of the entire season.
Wildlife: Flying fish, spinner dolphins, tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and frigatebirds near landfall.
