Best sailing destinations in Oceania
Best sailing destinations in Oceania
Open ocean island groups and protected coastal bay networks in Oceania
A reef-sheltered island group off Australia's coast anchors much of the region's sailing tourism, offering sheltered, reef-protected waters well suited to both bareboat and skippered charters. Remote Pacific island chains add a more isolated, considerably less developed alternative.
The destinations on this list range from reef-sheltered island groups with established charter infrastructure to remote Pacific island chains that demand greater self-sufficiency and planning. Both offer genuinely calm, warm-water sailing for much of the year.
Checking reef and weather conditions before departing matters considerably in the reef-sheltered waters specifically, where protected anchorages can still shift quickly with passing systems. Most operators depart early to beat the wind. Packing reef-safe sunscreen also matters considerably given the sensitivity of the surrounding marine environment.
Lists by region
Country
Tonga
Tropical paradise with volcanic islands
Captain Cook's visit in 1773 led Westerners to call Tonga the Friendly Islands. The kingdom has 171 islands and only 45 are inhabited. Total land area is about 290 square miles. About 70% of the 100,179 residents live on Tongatapu. The 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption sent a tsunami onto parts of the islands.
Bay in New Zealand
Bay of Islands
Sunlit coves echo with ancient legends
The bay holds 144 islands within an area of roughly 100 square miles. Urupukapuka is the largest. Russell, once called Kororāreka, was the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand. Cape Brett extends about 6 miles into the Pacific at the eastern end. Sailing is among the area's most popular pastimes.
Island in Australia
Whitsunday Islands
Paradise within Great Barrier Reef
Captain Cook sailed the Endeavour through the islands on June 3, 1770 and named the passage Whitsundays' Passage. The group has 74 islands and is one of the most popular yachting destinations in the Southern Hemisphere. Chartering a yacht and bareboating are common ways to explore. Whitehaven Beach has white sand.
Overseas Territory in France
New Caledonia
Tropical Paradise with French Flair
Six lagoons of the barrier reef gained UNESCO status in 2008. The lagoon covers about 9,300 square miles and is one of the largest in the world. Nouméa was founded as Port-de-France in 1854 and is the capital. The Loyalty Islands have four inhabited islands called Ouvéa, Lifou, Tiga and Maré.
Region in New Zealand
Marlborough
Wine Country Meets Stunning Coastal Sounds
Sea-drowned valleys form sounds covering about 1,500 square miles. Their winding coastline makes up roughly one tenth of New Zealand's total. Picton is at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound and Havelock at the head of Pelorus Sound. The main channels have calm water. Currents make French Pass dangerous for boats.
Overseas Territory in France
French Polynesia
Paradise of Crystal Clear Lagoons
The territory has 121 islands and atolls in five groups. The Tuamotus alone have 80 atolls. The Marquesas have 12 high islands. The Leeward Society Islands include five high islands and four atolls. Polynesian navigators crossed these waters by celestial navigation. Captain Cook visited Tahiti in 1769, 1773 and 1777.
Island in Australia
Tasmania
Wilderness, Wildlife and Wild Coasts
Matthew Flinders and George Bass sailed through Bass Strait in 1798 and 1799 and proved Tasmania was an island. Hobart is on the Derwent River and is the finish of the Sydney to Hobart race. D'Entrecasteaux Channel separates Bruny Island from the main island. Maria Island and Wineglass Bay lie along the east coast.
City in Australia
Sydney
Where urban life meets stunning beaches
Yachts leave Sydney for Hobart every Boxing Day in a race of about 630 nautical miles. Nine boats started the first one in 1945. LDV Comanche set the record in 2017 at 1 day 9 hours and 15 minutes. Bass Strait is known for strong winds and rough seas.
Island in French Polynesia
Bora Bora
Turquoise Lagoons, Overwater Dreams
A barrier reef encircles the island and leaves a single ocean opening. Teavanui Passage on the west side is the entrance for large ships. Boats must stay in the channel because the water outside it is shallow. Mount Otemanu rises 2,385 feet above a lagoon that ranges from dark indigo to pastel blue.
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