circumnavigation2012 – 2020

circumnavigation2012 – 2020

the original tradewinds explorer program

As our “Pioneering Exploration Yacht”, the beloved TradeWinds Explorer has off ered a very special experience to our Members and guests since 2004. We have been able to off er some exquisite opportunities to sail in areas well off the “beaten path”. 

Some of these locations, such as Belize and Bocas Del Toro in Panama have since become established, year round TradeWinds destinations. In other areas we tried chartering for a season only, and found that those places proved too challenging to operate in over a longer period of time.

Explorer spent most of the year 2012 sailing the fantastic archipelago of Las Perlas, on the Pacifi c side of Panama. A wild and wonderful playground with a multitude of sea and bird life, as well as the excitement of an 18 ft tidal range!

This marked TradeWinds fi rst journey into the Pacifi c Ocean, and we are now extending this exploration, continuing our promise to circumnavigate.

It is however a demanding area to operate in, as we will often be far away from traditional land based

support systems that we have at other destinations.

With this in mind, we therefore introduced a brand new catamaran into the growing TradeWinds fl eet to replace Explorer.

Come and join us for this adventure!

wanderlust

It is our pleasure to introduce Wanderlust, the yacht that has taken over from TradeWinds Explorer as our adventure vessel on our journey of discovery around the world!

We took delivery of this beautiful yacht

in May of 2012, when she was launched as the fourth TradeWinds 59 delivered to our company at Fountaine Pajot’s shipyard in La Rochelle, France.

The maiden voyage took her to San Miguel, Tenerife, where she undertook

a charter season in the Canary Islands during the months of June through November of 2012.

Following the onset of the trade winds, Wanderlust crossed the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands and shortly

thereafter in early 2013, the journey took her through the Panama Canal and further west into the seductive waters of the South Pacific.

We now invite you to continue reading, as what follows on from here, is the

description of the circumnavigation, spread out over a time period of more than seven years …

a journey of discovery

A circumnavigation, spanning a time frame of more than seven years – what an exciting project!

We have been looking forward to mak-ing this dream a reality for our Members and guests for quite some time now, and here we are. A journey of discovery has begun.

We will visit so many countries and plac-es along the way, some located in easy to reach locations, and some in such remote areas that they can easily be termed “virgin territories”.

In the following pages, you will find de-scriptions and projected dates of when we plan to sail these fantastic destina-tions. Some of the dates and/or destina-tions will perhaps require to be altered along the way for legal, political, natural or other causes, which could develop during the journey.

However, should we need to make changes in the route along the way, we are certain that the alternative destina-tions we find will be equally as exciting as the planned ones. Somehow, that is the excitement of a journey, right?

As TradeWinds Members, you will re-ceive regular updates along the way in the form of newsletters and other infor-mation, letting you know where Wan-derlust voyage is taking her, as well as announcing the release of future cruis-ing dates, as and when they become available for bookings. You can contact TradeWinds reservations department in order to see what exciting sailing ad-ventures are available to you right now.

So what are you waiting for? Explore. Dream. Discover.

canaries

sardiniabalearics

south africa

zanzibar

madagascar

maldives

seychelles

malaysia

thailand

whitsunday‘s

new zealand

tonga

french polynesia

sydney

canaries

sardiniabalearics

south africa

zanzibar

madagascar

maldives

seychelles

malaysia

thailand

whitsunday‘s

new zealand

tonga

french polynesia

sydney

fiji

french polynesiamay – november 2013

What a success this destination turned out to be!

During the period May – November 2013, Wanderlust delivered 19 weekly charters in this paradise location, and the feedback from both Members and their guests and Wanderlust’s lovely crew Steve and Georgia confirms that this certainly is a dream area in which to offer TradeWinds experiences!

The area of French Polynesia is a mesmerizing wonderland of reef-fringed islands and translucent aqua-colored lagoons, all teeming with beauty and natural abundance. Shamelessly chic and seductive, it is the kind of place

where the rich and famous come to play and hedonistic fantasies are realized, so what an ideal destination!

Situated midway in the Pacific Ocean between South America and Australia, French Polynesia is comprised of 118 islands in the Austral, Gambier, Marquesas, Tuamotu and Society island archipelagos, spread out over an area  roughly the size of Europe.

Within the Society group of islands are Bora-Bora, Raiatea, Taha’a, and Huahine, and it is here that we based Wanderlust for our French Polynesian adventure in 2013. Because the islands are downwind from Tahiti, they are commonly referred

to as the Leewards.

The epitome of the South Pacific  dream, this is one Garden of Eden so  beautiful that it is hard to believe that   it really exists ...

We are happy that as of Christmas 2014, due to the huge success of French Polynesia as a destination and the large number of requests for future sailing here from our members, we have two sisterships to Wanderlust based here: “Te Moana” and “Te Miti” which mean “The Ocean” and “The Sea” respectively in the beautiful Polynesian language.

bay of islands,new zealandjanuary – march 2014

While New Zealand is technically a South Pacific nation, its location is so far south in the Southern Hemisphere that it gives it a very different character compared to the islands situated closer to the equator. Snow-capped mountains, rolling green pastures dotted with sheep, bustling cities and small rural towns set New Zealand apart from the other South Pacific island countries.

For this part of the journey, Wanderlust was based at the Opua Marina in the Bay of Islands. Even though the water was colder than what we are used to on a TradeWinds cruise, here we encountered some of the most incredible wildlife including the life-changing experience of seeing Orcas in their natural habitat.

Here we found both thrilling adventure as well as perfect peace. The stunning beauty and serenity, coupled with amazing beaches and a host of islands makes it perfect as an idyllic aquatic playground.

The townships of this historic bay are steeped in both Maori and European history. Here we got to know why the Bay of Islands is considered to be the birthplace of New Zealand as a bi-cultural nation, and we also got to see how Maori culture and lifestyle has adapted to modern times.

tongamay– october 2014

Totally off the beaten track, Tonga lets us experience true South Pacific living, unchanged by the outside world. We made strong bonds and friendships with the Tongans, who welcomed us as brothers and sisters.

The sailing dates here were extended from the initial plan, as we were not allowed to sail in the waters of Fiji by the local authorities. Therefore, we were able to introduce more TradeWinds members and their guests to this unique island nation.

Miles and miles of white-sand beaches, coral reefs and crystal clear waters make Tonga one of the world’s top snorkeling and scuba diving venues, where visibility is often 150 feet. It is also one of the few places in the world where you can frequently swim with humpback whales and their calves in the deeper areas between the islands.

Within this area are numerous uninhabited islands, most ringed with white sand beaches and coral reefs ideal for snorkeling and relaxing. Here you will experience passages between

some of the best anchorages in the South Pacific, with stops along the way to explore the islands, or simply anchor for a relaxing lunch in an unspoiled setting reminiscent of what the Pacific must have been like for Captain James Cook when he sailed Tongan waters in the mid-1700’s.

As TradeWinds is currently looking into introducing more members to the Club within the Australia and South East Asia region, we will continue to look into the possibility of adding Tonga as a future TradeWinds base.

sydneydecember 2014 – february 2015

On the next stop on Wanderlust’s circumnavigation, we found her onboard team of salty sea dogs anchored under the instantly recognizable sails of the world famous Sydney Opera House. Once night falls, these unmistakable shapes blend with the Sydney Harbour Bridge to make a most visual spectacle that is Sydney, Australia, the Harbour city.

In addition to Harbour excursions, we visited Manly, Queens Cliff , Curl Curl, Freshwater, and explored along the

endless pathways that link some of Sydney’s most expensive beach side real estate. With ocean baths, beautiful beaches and cosmopolitan cafes, Wanderlust spent the days enjoying some of Sydney’s trendiest and most exclusive beachside neighborhoods.

Venturing away from the Sydney Harbour areas, after leaving the heads, we sailed past its northern beaches to a sheltered inlet called Pittwater. The natural arm of land extending north

from Sydney houses not only beautiful beaches on the ocean side, but provides fantastic sheltered anchorages on the western fl ank. Pittwater also marks the mouth of the Hawkesbury River.

2015 will certainly be remembered as “The Year of Australia” for Wanderlust, and what a success it turned out to be for both our fantastic crew and all Members and guests who enjoyed this fantastic experience together!

whitsunday islands,australiamay – october 2015

The Whitsundays are a group of more than 150 islands and islets off the sub-tropical central Queensland coast of Australia between approximately 20° and 21° south latitude, which is where Wanderlust cruised between May and October of 2015.

The islands were made known to Europeans by the English explorer James Cook in 1770, but Australian aborigines knew all about them at least 6,000 years before that and probably for even longer, back to the days before they actually were islands.

This tropical region is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia, and for good reason. With endless stretches of sand, crystal clear seas and a perfect climate all year round, locations such as Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island are certainly paradise on earth. Situated at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef on the northeast tropical coast of Queensland, these islands all form part of the vast Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and as such, the sea-life and wildlife are protected.

All the islands consist of dense rainforest national park land, mostly uninhabited. But don’t expect palm trees and coconuts – these islands are covered with dry-looking pine and eucalyptus forests full of dense undergrowth, and rocky coral coves far outnumber the few sandy beaches.

Generally, no more than three nautical miles separate the islands, and altogether they represent countless bays, beaches, dazzling coral reefs, and fi shing spots that make up one fabulous Great Barrier Reef playground.

fi jiapril 2016– oct 2017

Back in 2013 and 2014, we tried in vain to obtain permission from the authorities in Fiji to sail in their pristine waters, so that you as Members could come and enjoy this “paradise-on-earth” location. After numerous attempts, we had to give up and with

sadness exclude this destination from the original Wanderlust itinerary.

Since then, we have been in continuous contact with the maritime authorities there, and fi nally found a way to be able to off er you this exciting destination!

Our base will be at the Denarau Marina on the main island of Viti Levu, and the area that we will be sailing in this nation of over 800 islands and islets are the Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands.

Adrift in the splendid isolation of the

blue waters of the South Pacific, the islands have escaped the ravages of the western world. In addition to more than three hundred species of native orchids, enjoy inside Fiji’s many tropical forest reserves where you can walk surrounded with the scent of wild frangipani.

The islands are truly Nature’s play ground, teeming with jabbering parrots that swoop through the treetops above to the rare turtles that nest along the beaches.

malaysia & thailanddecember 2017 – april 2018

This dream-like part of the world was originally planned as being cruised on two different coasts, at different times in the year. However, due to logistical and legal reasons, we have now arranged for you to get the best of both worlds, in one cruise instead!

Based on the west coast of Thailand and mainland Malaysia is the wondrous region framed by the islands of Phuket in the north and Langkawi to the south, with the northern part of the cruise in Thai waters and the southern part of the journey taking place in Malaysia.

To get the full value of such a fantastic journey through this magical area, we have also extended this cruise to a 10-day voyage, instead of the traditional 7-day cruise. It will be offered as “one-way” voyages, with the first of every two trips commencing in Phuket and ending in Langkawi, and every second one doing the reverse itinerary, starting in Langkawi and ending in Phuket.

For this journey onboard Wanderlust, we will cruise among the beauty of the stunningly exotic islands known as “The Jewels of the Andaman Sea”. The cruising grounds off the east coast of the island of Phuket are known as amongst the finest anywhere: from the towering pinnacles of limestone jutting out from the emerald-colored waters of Phang-Nga Bay to the famous Phi Phi Islands.

More than 130 picturesque isles lie within the province of Krabi alone, and the offshore marine preserves in both Thailand and Malaysia are internationally famous as one of the world’s top scuba diving sites.

pelagic species of fish, dolphins and whales, which all find their food and nutrients in abundance here.

The Maldives demand the attention of anyone looking for a uniquely indulgent break, breathtaking nature and sheer beauty that will remain with you long after your tan has faded.

Prepare to be amazed by nature’s wonders!

maldivesjune – december 2018

The Maldives is an island nation of around 1,200 islands, scattered across over 500 miles of pristine Indian Ocean waters. Interestingly enough, the exact number of islands varies according to the season and method of classification – as islands come and go with the wind, waves and currents!

The islands white sands are fringed with green palms and surrounded by some of the clearest water in the world. Coral reefs and tropical fish – from neon clownfish to slow-moving manta rays – thrive in the warm ocean water.

The tiny islands are geographically grouped into ring shaped reefs called “atolls” and there are 26 of these atoll formations available for discovery. An atoll encloses a central lagoon with a flat, sandy bottom at a relatively shallow depth of 40 – 300 ft. The outer reef, which forms many of the islands, is often broken by deep channels, which allow oceanic water to flow into and out of the central lagoon.

Diving is generally outstanding in the passages of the channels, with a multitude of sea life including the large

seychellesjanuary – april 2019

Unspoiled, timeless, unhurried and pristine – the 115 granitic and coralline islands of the Seychelles archipelago lie just south of the equator – 1,000 miles off the east coast of Africa.

These spectacular granitic islands, which largely make up the Inner Islands group, are easily recognizable by their unique sculptured granite boulders, which run alongside its stunning white sand beaches. They lie clustered around the main island of Mahé, and the second largest island, Praslin – home to the wondrous “Vallée de Mai”, where the legendary coco-de-mer nuts grow on ancient palm trees. In complete contrast, the far-flung Outer Islands consist mainly of sparkling sand cays and remote uninhabited coral atolls.

Beyond the breathtaking beaches, Seychelles is also famed for its giant land turtles, corals and amazing birdlife. Many of the islands remain sanctuaries for rare and exotic flora and fauna – and it is this geographical diversity, which makes visiting the many different islands extremely popular.

In the evolution of its society, the Seychelles has remained faithful to its multi-ethnic roots. For over two centuries, the islands have remained a melting pot of different races, traditions and religions from the four corners of the earth. Inspired by its grand diversity of cultural influences, ethnic diversity with racial harmony remain the mainstays of today’s vibrant yet tranquil Creole nation for which harmony is a way of life.

zanzibar, tanzaniajune – august 2019

Zanzibar. Just saying it sounds like a warm breeze on a powder-soft beach. And the island is just like that, blessed with a warm, sultry climate, white sandy beaches, a turquoise-blue sea, and in the air, the mysterious smell of the spice plantations. All this and much more is Zanzibar, the magic Spice Island off the

east coast of Africa!

Comprising two large islands fringed by many smaller ones, the archipelago vies with the Serengeti National Park as Tanzania’s most precious natural asset, able to mesmerize even the most jaded traveler into meditative contemplation.

Already half a century ago the archipelago in the Indian Ocean was a fl ourishing commercial centre where cinnamon, pepper, ginger and other spices lured traders and adventurers from all over the world here into the seaport of Zanzibar. Still today, the splendid architecture of “Stone Town” -

the historical Old Town of Zanzibar City, tells about this magnificent past.

Apart from its beaches, which reach deep into the ocean, turning the shoreline into unreal shades of turquoise blue, Zanzibar offers visitors a unique East African flavor. From the tall

traditionally garbed Maasais striding across the beach, Swahili and Indian traders in long salwar kameez and embroidered skull caps, to the women harvesting seaweed, their bodies and heads chastely wrapped in colorful kangas, the blend of cultures is as clear as their cuisine. You will find the culture

of the island just as multifaceted as the landscape.

Then, as the sun disappears behind the coral benches of the island, Zanzibar delivers the last reason why this island can probably be called “paradise on earth”.

madagascarseptember – november 2019

The worlds fourth largest island may be just a stone throw away from Africa, but it is as diff erent from its continental neighbor as nowhere on earth. Where else but on the unique island of Madagascar can you see fl ora and fauna of such amazing variety and diversity and know that it is found nowhere else on earth?

Madagascar is most famous for its 60 species of lemurs, and these bright-eyed mammals are easily seen here.

Madagascar is also known for its orchid species, carnivorous pitcher plants, baobab trees, geckoes, chameleons and the giant elephant bird.

While wildlife is a major attraction, the island is also the world’s main producer of vanilla beans, and boasts spectacular beaches off ering tranquility and sparkling clear turquoise waters.

Wanderlust will be anchored in the Nosy Be Archipelago, situated right off

the northwestern coast of Madagascar, which will serve as our base for exploration. Its tropical climate and superb location makes it Madagascar’s beach-resort destination.

Even though Nosy Be has started to get more popular over the last few years, it is yet a largely sleepy place with sugar cane plantations, rum distilleries, ylang ylang bushes, lounging lemurs, and little air of expectation.

cape town, south africadecember 2019 – january 2020

African President and Nobel Laureate Nelson Mandela, alongside many other political prisoners, spent decades im-prisoned during the apartheid era.

Cape Agulhas – southernmost tip of Africa!Cape Agulhas is the southernmost tip of the vast African continent where the mighty Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. Interestingly, a compass shows no real deviation between true north and mag-netic north at this spot, and Agulhas also boasts one of the oldest working light-houses in South Africa.

The Cape WinelandsWe will take a drive along the Western Cape’s many wine routes and visit glob-al award winning wine farms for a spot of wine tasting, cellar tours and an op-portunity to purchase some good local, internationally recognized wines.

Victoria & Alfred WaterfrontThe very epitome of African chic, the V&A Waterfront is a unique shopping & entertainment environment, and it is South Africa’s most visited tourist at-traction, with about ten million visitors a year.

The Whale CoastDrive to the fishing village of Hawston and stop at Hermanus – the world’s best land-based whale-watching spot. Her-manus is the only town in the world to boast a Whale Crier who ensures that visitors don’t miss out on spotting the oceans gentle giants.

After a two-year journey through the Indian Ocean, spanning the expanse waters between the west coast of Thai-land all the way to the South African east coast, we will now leave the Indian Ocean after rounding the southern most point of Africa: Cape Agulhas.

When we reach Cape Town, we will once again be back in the Atlantic Ocean, where more than seven years ago, Wan-derlust started the circumnavigation with her first charters in Tenerife, Ca-nary Islands in the summer of 2012.

Even though we will visit some beauti-ful ports around the area here in Cape Town, we will be doing less sailing than usual, and instead concentrate more on land-based activities. However, be as-sured it will be a real treat, considering what diversity and excitement this city and its surrounding areas have to offer!

Table Mountain Cable WayTable Mountain, the breathtaking back-drop and icon of Cape Town & the West-ern Cape extends its welcome to all visitors. The Cableway takes you to the summit in under 10 minutes and the ca-ble car’s rotating floor ensures that all passengers get a 360 degree aerial view of the city.

Robben IslandSome four miles off the coast of Cape Town is the place where former South

balearic islands, spainmay – july 2020

The Balearic Islands are an archipelago composed of the major islands of Mal-lorca, Minorca and Ibiza, plus the small-er Formentera, Cabrera and uninhabit-ed Dragonera. They lie off the coast of Spain, between France and the coast of northern Africa, in the Mediterranean Sea.

Mallorca has always been one of the most popular holiday destinations in

the Mediterranean. After over 50 years of modern tourism, it is clear that one of its greatest treasures is formed by its 350 miles of coastline, making it ideal for a TradeWinds weekly cruise!

The dramatic coastline of Mallorca pres-ents us with a myriad of choices, while the mountains offer an altogether differ-ent vacation experience in picturesque hilltop villages amid lush landscapes;

the mountain villages of Valldemossa, Deia and Soller have outstanding set-tings and lots of character.

There is so much to explore, whether you plan to relax on any of the numer-ous beaches lapped by the Mediterra-nean or venture inland to explore some of the traditional villages, you will cer-tainly be amazed at its beauty.

sardinia, italyaugust – september 2020

A visit to Sardinia is a unique experience! This exquisite island west of Italy is a complete one-off: a magical mixture of culture, beaches and scenery that beguiles every visitor. From white sand beaches and turquoise-and-emerald seas to charismatic towns, forested valleys and storybook harbors, one of the beauties of Sardinia is the sheer variety it offers. Occupied through the ages by the Romans, Genoans and Catalonians in turn, Sardinia’s main towns are sprinkled with Italian, Spanish and Baroque treasures.

Washed by the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean, Sardinia offers a varied coastline of sculpted cliffs, hidden coves, secluded inlets, rocky headlands and glorious sand dunes. Several stretches of coastline have remained untouched, and some are only accessible by boat. What a treasure for Wanderlust and its guests!

A good day out on the water with the sound of rippling sails induces feelings of freedom and adventure, out in a wide and open space. Although Sardinia’s coastline is an extraordinary

sailing destination with hundreds of secluded coves, picture-book beaches and dramatic rock formations, it remains surprisingly anonymous and uncrowded by yachts.

The fact that the wind conditions around Porto Polo, in northern Sardinia are the most constant means that most sailors are to be found on the Costa Smeralda. There are two winds here, which ensure the perfect conditions for dynamic sailing; the Sahara wind Chirocco and the Mistral, which blows down from the North.

wanderlust

overall length 17.70 m / 59 ftoverall beam 8.95 m / 30 ftdraft 1.50 m / 5 ftsail areas genoa: 52 m2 / 560 sq ft main sail: 98 m2 / 1055 sq ftengine 2 x 110 HP Yanmarstank capacities fresh water: 1050 l / 278 gal. fuel: 1100 l / 291 gal.builder Fountaine Pajot, TW59

air conditioned throughout, fans, hair-dryer plugs in rooms, watermaker, ice-maker, invertor, VHF and handheld VHF, autopilot, full safety equipment for each person, liferaft, cellphone, gener-ator, barbecue, center console dinghy with outboard, speed and depth moni-tor, Garmin GPS

Stereo with iPod/USB and TV/video in saloon, board games, deck mattresses, kayak, stand up paddle board, knee-board, deck showers, snorkel and scuba diving equipment, tube, fishing gear

tradewinds 59 equipment recreation

Proudly sailing with the CYBA Going Green Award.

Administrative officeBequia Marina, P.O. Box BQ194 • Port Elizabeth, Bequia • St. Vincent and the Grenadines

phone +1 784 457 3407 • fax +1 784 457 3524 • USA toll free 888 401 1430reservations@trade-winds.com • www.trade-winds.com

Administrative officeBequia Marina, P.O. Box BQ194 • Port Elizabeth, Bequia • St. Vincent and the Grenadines

phone +1 784 457 3407 • fax +1 784 457 3524 • USA toll free 888 401 1430reservations@trade-winds.com • www.trade-winds.com