An Antipodean experience - Louisiades Rally in September 2013

by Nancy Knudsen on 25 Feb 2013 Charter a yacht and experience one of the most exciting rally experiences in the world! Now in its sixth year, the Louisiades Yacht rally is being held in September 2013 and going from strength to strength.

So where on earth is the Louisiades? It is actually the 'tail' of New Guinea The Louisiades Archipelago is 520 nautical miles north-east of Cairns and 100 nautical miles east of 'mainland' Papua New Guinea. They are no less than Paradise Found, 100 beautiful islands with a friendly people living a very simple life who welcome cruising yachts. The Louisiades comprise sand cays, lagoon reefs, limestone outcrops (up lifted coral reefs) and continental islands with many safe anchorages. With abundant coral reefs there is snorkelling, diving and fishing galore. The local people are exceptionally welcoming to yachts and will paddle out to welcome yachts and, of course, trade.

Rally Organiser, Guy Chester said 'Running the Rally is a lot of hard work, but the smiles on the Louisiades locals faces when we arrive at each of their villages, the welcome and the gratitude for the community aid we offer makes it all worthwhile.'

The Louisiades Yacht Rally has become a major annual event for the community of the Louisiades Islands in far eastern Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea. The Rally is a cruise in company across the Coral Sea and then four weeks throughout the spectacular Louisiades, with a mix of events and time for independent exploration of the islands and their friendly communities.

After safety and navigation briefings, the Rally leaves from Cairns bringing Australian and international cruising yachts to the islands for a month or so. The Rally Yachts arrive at the uninhabited Duchateau Islands and are often welcomed by local fishermen in their Sailau’s (traditional sailing canoes). A few days of rest after the passage and sundowner barbeques then onto the spectacular Panasia Island and its narrow reef entrance and sheltered lagoon. Panasia has a spectacular limestone cave and the nearby little Panasia a skull cave which the yachties visit. The Yachts then move onto Nivani Island for the Panapompom Cane regatta, this involves the traditional sailaus in some serious racing, then the yachties get to sail on the sailaus...then next day it’s the locals turn as all the yachts load up with newfound friends for a fun race.

The boats have a week or so of independent exploration, some going to the famous Kamataal 'yacht club' before meeting back up for the Bagaman muster, a great singsing day and handicraft market. A beach party at Blue Lagoon and then a traditional lifestyle/cultural day at Pananumarra Island before the yachts move on to the only town, Bwagoia on Misima Island. Formalities are completed and the Misima Showcase Festival is held in the yachties honour! Another week of independent exploration and the sailors meet back up at Nimowa Mission where school and clinic visits, a remote river trip and sports afternoon are planned. The rally concludes with a final party at Wanim Island.

What makes the Louisiades and the Rally so special are the local people. They put on a huge welcome for Rally yachts and there are many activities and opportunities during the Rally which are truly unique. The local folk have little and whilst happy, live in comparative poverty. The Rally aims to contribute to the community by paying for events and activities and also has a community benefit program. To date the Rally has provided tens of thousands of dollars to support a marine Ambulance, clinics at Nimowa and Paneati, provided water tanks for villages and taken up tons of school and medical supplies and clothes.

The Rally was first established in 2007 by Guy Chester of EcoSustainAbility, with the sponsorship and support of the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority.

All Welcome:
The Rally invites monos, multis, power and sail. No-one is 'hullist' or 'engineist'...well not too much! A wide range of vessels have joined the rally to date. Many monohull yachts from new fibreglass production boats (such as Jeanneaus, Bavarias, Benateaus and Hunters) to older steel and ferro yachts. Many sailing catamarans have participated with Crowther, Catanas, Perry, Lightwave, Schionning and Leopard among the models. Motor yachts have also participated, with an 18 metre Riviera and 20 meter Crelock having been on four Rallies.


The Rally provides support for those with little offshore experience, and also has proven popular with those with great offshore experience.

Come Along in 2013:
The 2012 rally was enjoyed by all. In the words of the crew from 2009 Rally yacht, Tribal: 'Its been a life changing experience.' The 2013 Rally leaves Cairns (Yorkeys Knob Boating Club) in mid September. Early bird entries close 1 May!

More Info:
The Rally is sponsored by Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority, supported by Yorkeys Knob Boating Club and organised by EcoSustainAbility.

Yes, you can charter a Van de Stadt yacht, perfect for the journey and fully equipped and in survey.
Further information from www.louisiades.com
Email Guy Chester at louisiadesrally@ecosustainability.com
Phone Guy on 0407 391211