The Island Cruising Association has just announced the planned route for the 2016 Multihull Solutions Sail 2 Indonesia Rally.
(Route updated 1st February 2016)
AUSTRALIA 28th June – 15th July
- CAIRNS MUSTER – The Cairns Muster is the official start of the Multihull Solutions Sail 2 Indonesia Rally. Participants will meet at the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron on the 28th of June with briefing, presentations and lots of fun through to the 4th July when boats will start heading North up the Far North Queensland Coast.
- Depart Cairns 4th / 5th July
- Cruise the FN Qld Coast 5th – 12th July.
TI MUSTER – After enjoying the Far Nth Qld coast participants will muster in the Torres Strait at Thursday Island from the 12th – 14th July.
CLEARANCE – Clearing out of Australia can be done on either the 14th or 15th July for immediate departure. Distance to Tual approx 700nm.
BOATS TRAVELLING DIRECT FROM OTHER DEPARTURE POINTS
Can either travel direct to TUAL from any departure point OR depart from the Royal Papua Yacht Club, Port Moresby. PNG Distance approx 930nm.
PNG Muster – Muster at PPYC on the 8th of July with Departure from PNG on the 12th / 13th July. While we will endeavour to get briefing material and your rally packs to you at the PPYC there will be no formal rally briefings for those boats that elect to leave from a departure point other than Cairns. The PPYC will be on hand to assist while in Port Moresby.
INDONESIA
TUAL, South East Mollucas ( Kei Islands) 21-25 July.Tual is the capital of the province and is situated on the island of Kai Kecil which is an uplifted coral reef. There are fresh markets and good seafood restaurants in town. The Kei Islands are situated on the edge of the Banda Sea, and is the beginning of The Spice Islands. The group is made up of several islands and are sparsely populated. The area is known for their white-sand beaches and deeply hospitable people. The largest island in the group is Kai Besar which is densely forested and mountainous. The kei group are mainly Christian, but Tual has a mainly Muslim population. Local craftsmen are known for their skillful basketry, wood carving & boatbuilding.
BANDA NEIRA, Banda Islands 26 July – 1 August. Part of the famed Spice Islands, Banda Neira is one of ten volcanic islands in the Banda Archipelago, historically known for the cultivation of mace & nutmeg, once exclusive to the region. The town still shows the remnants of the trading center it once was, and is overlooked by a majestic Dutch Fort. In the early 16th century, merchants flocked to the area to make their fortunes. Banda Neira is only one of three inhabited islands, with the biggest population. The Banda Islands are reputed to have exquisite corals and abundant sealife, and is an internationally recognized diving destination. The harbour is protected by the island of Gunang Api.
NAMROLE, Buru Island 2-5 August. Buru is an oval shaped, forested covered island and the third largest of the Maluku group. Namrole is the administrative centre for the southern regency and is situated on the southern tip of the island. Mostly mountainous, the highest point of the island is Mt Kapalatmada. The locale populace is mainly 
immigrants from Java and nearby Maluku Islands, but around a third are indigenous. The population is mainly Christian within the regency, Sunni Islam is mainly in the northern part of the island. Income is generated by agriculture; mainly beans, sweet potato & soybeans within the regency. Fishing is also prevalent.
WANCI, Wakatobi 6-10 August. Situated adjacent to the Wakatobi Marine National Park on Palau Wang Wangi, Wanci is the main settlement on this small island, and is the capital of the Regency. The local population depend on fishing for their livelihood. The indigenous people of these islands belong to the nomadic seafaring Bajan Tribe. Relatively flat, a good way to see the island is by bicycle. Reputed to have plenty of good beaches and interesting caves. Wanci is a colourful place with a lively harbour filled with wooden local boats and a tasty night market.
LOWOLEBA, Lembata 12-15 August. 80km by 30km and rising to a soaring 1533m, Lembata is the largest island in the Solor group of islands. Home to Ililbalkan, Iliwerung & Lewotolo, all active volcanoes. The islanders are famous for their ikat weaving. Situated on the west side of the island is the Lewoleba (known also as Labala) adjacent to a huge bay. On the south coast is Lamalera village known as the village of the Whale Hunters, one of only two remaining whaling communities in Indonesia. The hunting of sperm whales, manta rays and occasionally dolphins, following ancient traditions, taboos and beliefs, happens during May until October.
ADONARA ISLAND, Florestimur 15-17 August. Adonara is part of the Solor Archipelago, just east of Flores island. It has a strong Portuguese influence and is predominantly catholic, although ancient traditions are still practiced. It is one of the highest islands in the group, dominated by the volcano Ile Boleng. Farming and fishing are the main forms of income.
MAUMERE, Flores Is 20-23 August. Maumere lies on the northeastern coast of Flores Island, and is the second biggest city of the East Nusa Tenggara province. As a main centre this is a good opportunity to reprovision at Roxy which sells a good range of western foods. There is also an airport for any crew changes. A majority of the population are Catholic. Maumere is also a place to use as a base to explore the surrounding district.
MAUROLE, Flores Is 25-28 August. On the south coast lies the town of Ende and is adjacent to Kelimutu National Park making it a great place to explore the Three-Coloured Lakes. The park is home to diverse flora and fauna. Hand woven shawls and sarongs are a specialty here.
RUING, Flores 30 Aug -3 Sept. The small remote fishing village of Riung lies off the northern coast of Flores Island in the Ngada district. This is the start of the Riung Marine Park, made up of a collection of 24 islets, with waters rich in biodiversity and beautiful white beaches. The area is famous for the ‘Rose of the Sea’, clusters of sea hare eggs bound together like enormous red rose petals. The park is also home to many exotic animals ie the Timor Deer & the Timor monitor lizard, as well as numerous bird species including sea eagles, bluwok, storks and parakeets. The terrain inland is mountainous with road access is windy and narrow.
LABUEN BAJO, Flores Is. Located on the western tip of Flores Island, Labuan Bajo is a fishing town. Here you will encounter a myriad of watercraft from spider like trimarans to motor boats. Labuan Bajo is popular with tourists who come here for the diving or to visit nearby Komodo Island and its Komodo dragons, there are plenty of tourist facilities such as ATM’s, restaurants, stores, etc.
MEDANA BAY, Lombok. A majority of North Lombok’s population are the Sasak, but is also home to Balinese, Chinese and a small group of Yemeni descendants, and Islam is the religion a majority follow. Medana Bay Marina, a privately owned marina, is a great place to explore the region. Situated on the north west coast, overlooking the Gili Islands. Facilities include 2 pontoons for med style mooring and 15 mooring buoys. There is also plenty of anchoring room. A dinghy dock is adjacent to the Sailfish Cafe, with toilets and showers close by. Medana Bay is known also as Teluk Dalam meaning Deep Bay.
LOVINA BEACH, Bali 14-21 September. Situated on the North West side of Bali, the area of Lovina contains numerous small villages, and is quieter than the more popular tourist destinations on the rest of Bali. The area is named after the home of the pioneer of tourism to Bali, Pandji Tisna. Dolphins are often seen in the waters around Lovina. Lovina Beach has great restaurants, a selection of shops and an ATM.
KARIMUN JAWA, Jepara 23-26 September. Karimun Jawa means ‘ a stone throw from Java’ and consists of 27 islands and was established as a National park in 1986. The two largest islands are Karimun & Kemujan which are connected by a mangrove forest. There are fast ferries that commute regularly to Java and provide an opportunity to explore the ancient temple site of Borobudur and other attractions.
KUMAI, Kalimatan. Kumai is a port city on the island of Borneo. The anchorage is in the river, just across from Kumai. Although roads crisscross the district, most transportation in river based. The region to the north is mainly fertile plains, with the rest of the region are wetter consisting of bogs, lakes and other bodies of water. Dance and music are an important part of the culture here, and the local calendar is dotted with numerous festivals. Kumai is home to bird-nest businesses. A visit to Kumai isn’t complete without a visiting the Tanjung Puting National Park, home to a variety of animals and plants, in particular the orang-utan and proboscis monkey. The park is largest protected swamp forest in SE Asia. Ketapung, West Kalimatan 2-5 October Situated on the Pawan River delta, Ketapung is a small capital city of the Ketapung Regency of West Kalitan, Borneo. Considered multicultural, the populace consists of Chinese, Madurese, Javanese and native Indonesians of malay and dayak descent. Palm oil,rubber & wood are the main means of income with some mining of bauxite, zircon sand & lead in the regency.
KETAPUNG, West Kalimatan 2 – 5 October. Situated on the Pawan River delta, Ketapung is a small capital city of the Ketapung Regency of West Kalitan, Borneo. Considered multicultural, the populace consists of Chinese, Madurese, Javanese and native Indonesians of malay and dayak descent. Palm oil, rubber & wood are the main means of income with some mining of bauxite, zircon sand & lead in the regency.
SUKADANA, KKU 6 – 9 October. SAIL KARIMARA 2016. This will be the inaugural Sail Karimata Festival and will undoubtedly be a highlight of the 2016 Sail 2 Indonesia Rally. Details are soon to be released regards this event and we will keep you posted as they come to hand.
BELITUNG, Belitung 11 – 14 October. Giant granite boulders dominate the landscape with crystal clear water & white sandy beaches. A calm, protected anchorage overlooked by a lighthouse that provides great views from the top.
PENUBA, Lingga Regency 16-18 October. This village on the island of Selayar is part of the Lingga Regency this area is one of the least visited. The locals are a mix of Malay, Bugis & Hakka chinese.
BENAN, Lingga Regency 19-22 October. An island in the Lingga Archipelago. The people are friendly and the area has a very low crime rate.
TANJUNG PINANG, Tanjung Pinang 24-28 October. Exit Point from Indonesia. Second largest city in the Riau Island group, Tanjung Pinang is the jump off point for Singapore & Malaysia. Situated on the island of Bintan, it is a growing tourist centre with a long trading history, the malay people who live here are renowned for their warm welcome and hospitality. Often seen sailing the local waters are traditional wooden sailing craft known as ‘Pinisi’.
BATAM – NPM. Details to be advised
For more information on the 2016 Multihull Solutions Sail 2 Indonesia Rally or to register your interest please visit www.sail2indonesia.com or www.islandcruising.org.
