The Opua to Sydney passage is a classic offshore adventure that begins in the picturesque Bay of Islands and concludes in the heart of Sydney Harbour. Departing from Opua, you will savour a final glimpse of Aotearoa’s coastal beauty before crossing the Tasman Sea, a legendary stretch renowned for its powerful swells, shifting weather systems, and challenging conditions.
This 1,200nm blue water journey provides hands-on experience in navigation, helming, and maintaining watch rotations. Days at sea bring dramatic skies, open ocean solitude, and the steady rhythm of sailing under the stars. It is a rewarding test of seamanship, resilience, and teamwork.
The arrival in Sydney is unforgettable as you sail through the Heads into one of the world’s most iconic harbours. Whether you are building offshore miles or seeking pure adventure, this passage offers an inspiring combination of challenge, discovery, and personal achievement.
Sail one of the world’s great offshore routes
Experience the iconic trans-Tasman crossing from Opua in New Zealand to Sydney in Australia, an unforgettable blue water voyage.
Depart from the Bay of Islands
Begin your journey surrounded by lush green hills, calm anchorages, and abundant marine life in one of New Zealand’s most picturesque cruising grounds.
Conquer the legendary Tasman Sea
Sail through long ocean swells, navigate shifting weather systems, and embrace the excitement of one of the world’s most respected offshore passages.
Build real offshore experience
Take part in navigation, weather routing, sail handling, and night watches. This is the perfect opportunity to log sea miles and strengthen your seamanship skills.
Sail beneath starlit skies
Settle into the rhythm of offshore life with glowing sunrises, shimmering bioluminescent waters, and vast night skies stretching above the open sea.
Triumphant arrival into Sydney Harbour
Make landfall at one of the world’s most celebrated ports, entering through Sydney Heads to be greeted by unforgettable views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Take on your dedicated crew role onboard and master your area of responsibility and how you interact and communicate with the race crew.
Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route for each days race course.
Navigating around rocks, reefs and islands , hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
Crew planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.
Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.
Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.
Planning our daily course around weather, islands, big 3-4m tides and the island effect on wind strength and direction.
Master your sail trimming onboard a high performance yacht. There will be plenty of hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, asymmetric kites, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather).
Use of PDF’s (Personal Flotation Devices), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoy’s, storm drogue, liferaft and any other equipment required to ensure you remain safe in all conditions.
Step aboard Awen, a high-performance ocean-going yacht built for adventure, discovery, and unforgettable sailing experiences. Whether you’re chasing the thrill of offshore passages, island-hopping through remote archipelagos, or enjoying sunset sails with a like-minded crew, Awen offers the perfect blend of speed, adventure and capability. With experienced skippers, hands-on sailing opportunities, and ever-changing seascapes, every journey on Awen is a chance to disconnect from the ordinary and reconnect with nature, adventure, and yourself.
You can fly directly into Bay of Island Airport on or before day 1. When you arrive we'll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment and you will join us for a crew welcome dinner. We'll have 2 days of crew preparation, training drills and final checks, before aiming to depart on day 3. We'll aim to arrive in Sydney by day 11. You should plan to depart Sydney Airport from day 12, although departure earlier is possible depending on wind direction and passage time.
18 Nov 2025
Arrive at the vessel in Opua Marina by 3pm
Crew welcome dinner
19 Nov 2025
Crew training and safety familiarisation
Crew preparation, training drills and final checks
20 Nov 2025
Depart Opua Marina around 11am
20 - 28 Nov 2025
Sail to Sydney crossing the Tasman Sea
28 Nov 2025
Arrive in Sydney
Complete border processing
29 Nov 2025
Depart Sydney Airport after 3pm
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, accommodation onboard on the passage, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina fees, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device) and a safety tether.
Exclusions
Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, meals ashore at restaurants, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. It’s always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility in case of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not available onboard, while in port prior to departure, due to the sparse nature of the race yacht fit out, lack of ventilation and lack of amenities onboard.
Prior to departure on a passage, you will need to book 2-nights’ accommodation ashore. You will stay onboard for the duration of the passage, while at sea and 1 night (optional) after arrival in port at the end of the passage.
We provide optional accommodation packages, that include transport (to and from marina) and in-house meals packages for our crew.
You can purchase as an add on item during the booking process, or closer to the event.
You can also arrange your own accommodation ashore: Options: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.
Best suited to agile, people with moderate fitness and ideally a maximum weight of 110kg. Full training is provided.
Book and pay
Click Book Now button above to secure your place. Choose from Pay in Full or deposit options. Direct debit from bank account, debit card or credit card options available. Pay in the currency of your choice.
Personalise your payment plan
If you want to set up a payment plan, contact us here and let us know your desired deposit (minimum 10% required) and your preferred payment. You can make up to 18 payments, for the balance. You can choose the frequency and customise each payment amount.
Not ready to pay, but want to secure your place?
Reserve your place onboard today, with no obligation. We’ll send the confirmation details, itinerary, deposit invoice and be sure to answer all your questions, while you finalise your plans before confirming. Reserve here.
100% cancellation guarantee
If you book and then cancel prior to an event, for any reason, 100% of your payment will be issued as a credit, that you can apply to any future event/s. For a full refund of sailing trip, flights and hotel costs, we recommend travel insurance. View Terms & Conditions.
Members
Check for Member's availability here before booking this event, using Members Benefits. When you book Reserve your place here.