SY Emerald Blue

The yacht

Emerald Blue is a 48ft  S&S Modern Classic designed by arguably the world’s most famous yacht designer Olin Stephens. She is strong, seaworthy, fast and beautiful. She can carry up to 5 sails on her lofty ketch rig, yet is easy to steer and handle, many novices who have sailed her have become enthusiastic sailors. The accommodation is roomy, light and airy, and the systems on board are simple and efficient.

Cruising Area

Between 1854 and 1862 Alfred Russel Wallace made a landmark scientific journey across Malaysia, Singapore and the islands of Indonesia documenting physical and human geography, biodiversity and a variety of findings that then led to the theory and description of the ’Wallace line’. Our voyage will explore the spirit and seascapes of this adventure, with multiple stops among the fascinating islands that define these waters.

The Skipper

Nick Band with over 40 years and 180,000 nautical miles sailing experience is her owner and skipper. Emerald blue is ideally suited for offshore sailing and exploring the archipelagos of SE Asia & the Indo-Pacific. Nick has been planning and researching this route, ever since he returned from his last five-month voyage to the region in 2015. Every leg of the trip can be tailored to suit the specific interest of participants – wind & waves willing.

The Route

Leg From To Miles Days Depart Arrive Stop-over
1 Phuket Johore 560 12 18/02/20 01/03/20 14
2 Johore Makassar 1063 14 10/03/20 24/03/20 4
BOOKED! Makassar Ternate 775 14 29/03/20 13/04/20 3
4 Ternate Sorong 460 14 16/04/20 30/04/20 3
5a Sorong Ambong 350 10 04/05/20 14/05/20 7
5b Ambon L/Baj 650 10 21/05/20 31/05/20 3
BOOKED! L/Baj Bali 300 10 03/06/20 13/06/20 10
7 (Option 1) Bali – Johore – Phuket 1875 21 23/06/20 14/07/20
7 (Option 2) Bali – Phuket Via Indian Ocean 23/06/20 September 2020

 

LEG 1: PHUKET TO JOHORE 560 NM  (18 FEB – 01 MARCH)

12 DAYS: Challenging navigation

First stop will be Koh Rok Nok and then on to Langkawi mainly to top up with supplies. The course after Langkawi is south through the Malacca straits one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Because of this and the fleets of often badly lit fishing boats we will be mostly day sailing. Likely stops will be Pulau Kendi, Pangkor, then an overnight passage to Port Klang, and on to Malacca, the Water islands, Pulau Pisang and then into Puteri Harbour Johore. We will get Indonesian visas from the consulate in Johore.

LEG 2 : JOHORE TO MAKASSAR 1063 NM (10 – 24 MARCH)

14 days: Crossing the Wallace line

Having cleared Malaysian immigration and customs at Puteri Harbour, Emerald Blue will head through the Singapore Straits and turn hard to starboard into Riau Straits. We will anchor for a night off one of the outlying islands. The next major stop will be about 300 miles to the SE, the north coast of Bilitung Island where we will clear in to Indonesia. Once in the Java sea, there are islands to visit on our course which will take us across the Wallace line, before we drop anchor in Makassar, SW Sulawesi. Makassar is a fascinating old city with connections by air to all major centers. Wallace took passage from Makassar on a trading Phinisi heading east.

LEG 3: MAKASSAR TO TERNATE 775 NM  (29 MARCH – 13 APRIL) BOOKED!

14 DAYS: New horizons

60 miles east lies Bira where the big wooden Phinisi are still being built on the beach. The route to Ternate takes us across Bone bay, through the Tiworo Strait, and then the channel between Wowoni Island and Sulawesi mainland, into the Molucca Sea, a first time for Emerald Blue heading north to Manui island, along the north coast of Taliabu island which looks amazing, and north and east through the island chain past the huge volcano on Tidore and into Ternate anchorage.

LEG 4: TERNATE TO SORONG, RAJA AMPAT 460 NM (16 – 30 APRIL)

14 DAYS: An immersion

North along the west coast of Halmahera , through the Selat Rau there will be many great places to explore. This area is really off the beaten track. Wayag islands which were the furthest point we visited in 2015. A fabulous place above and below the water. For the next week Emerald Blue will cruise south and east revisiting favourite anchorages and exploring for new ones. Kawe, Sepele, Gam Passage and Wiego. Finally dropping anchor off Doom Island, Sorong, West Papua. There are plenty of flights to/from Sorong.

LEG  5a: SORONG TO AMBON 350 NM  (MAY 04 – 14)

10 DAYS: Island biogeography

We will follow the same course that we sailed in 2015. South of Misool, fantastic snorkelling. Well worth a few extended days. The south east trade wins should have set in by early May. Once around the eastern point of Misool, we should be able to ease the sheets for sailing along the North coast of Ceram, around the corner and into Ambon. Emerald Blue will be a week in Ambon renewing visas.

LEG  5b: AMBON TO LABUAN BAJO 650 NM  (MAY 21 – 31)

10 DAYS: Island biogeography

A 380 mile passage will take us across the Banda Sea to the Nusa Tengarra. We will cruise along this lovely chain of islands with tucked away bays, coral reefs and majestic volcanos to Labuan Bajo, gateway to Komodo and the dragons.

LEG 6: LABUAN BAJO TO BALI 300 NM (JUNE 06 – 13) BOOKED!

10 DAYS: Unwinding

After a visit to the dragons Emerald Blue will head west, Komodo, Batanta, Sumbawa, Lombok and the Gilli islands to Bali. Mostly day sailing, plenty of time for snorkeling and exploring ashore.

LEG 7: BALI TO PHUKET  ( DATES: 23 JUNE – 14 JULY  OR  SEPT 2020)

12 DAYS: Homeward bound

(Option 1) Bali to Phuket via Johore.  Java Sea, Bawean Island and the Bangka straits, 1000 miles into Johore. Johore . Malacca Straits repeat of leg 1 to Phuket 560 miles

(Option 2) Bali to Phuket September 2020 1875 miles Indian Ocean route south of Java with the SE trade winds and up the west coast of Sumatra through the islands. Over the equator and back to Phuket with the SW monsoon.

Rates

Whole boat charter for up to 4 people USD 960 per day
 Legs 1, 5b & 7, join-in available    USD 200 per berth/per day
USD 400 per cabin/per day