In 2021 we were the first yacht to visit Palmyra since COVID closed the refuge in 2019, and it was extraordinary! We have never been on such a beautiful and healthy reef. Almost anywhere else you go will be spoiled for you after this visit. This is really something special, and the only way to visit is by sea. Palmyra was a US naval base in World War II, the site of several failed copra plantations, and and the destination of many adventurers and dreamers up through the 90s. Since then, Palmyra has been jointly managed by the Nature Conservancy and US Fish & Wildlife service, who are doing an amazing job maintaining it as a research station and restoring native Pacific atoll ecosystems to the island. This is the trip we are most excited about this year.
This trip is a blast – we’ll leave from Oahu for a few days of power reaching in the trades before negotiating the ITCZ, also known as the Doldrums! Squalls and unsettled weather abound, but the rewards for careful boat handling are beautiful sunsets, rainbows, and the satisfaction of sailing fast in tough conditions. We’re planning to then stop at Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, which lies within the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. This visit is dependent upon a permit which won’t be issued until the day we depart Hawaii, however we expect to be able to obtain it. Staff from Fish & Wildlife must also be on island during our visit, and as of now it sounds as if they’ll be there. We’ll keep you informed if anything changes. This trip will not include any diving, as we have found that all of the accessible sites are just as good or better snorkeling without all the extra gear.
All meals on board Sea Dragon are delicious and vegetarian, with the addition of fish if we catch any along the way.
This is not a trip for the infirm or physically unfit – you MUST be able to climb the 20′ steel ladder on the Kiritimati Copra Pier, have good balance, and be in reasonably good health. Please contact us with any health questions or if you answer “YES” to any of the questions on our health questionnaire prior to signing up for the trip!
This trip is an RYA Yachtmaster Ocean and IYT MOY Unlimited qualifying voyage – contact us to discuss!
Ardent Training is offering a significant discount on the RYA Day Skipper Theory online course to anyone signed up for this trip. If you’re interested in taking the course, let us know when you sign up and we can give you the discount code!
Please explore the drop down menus at the bottom of the page for more details about this voyage.
COVID Protocol:
While we can’t guarantee that our protocol will 100% prevent a COVID infection onboard, we are hopeful that with these constraints, it will seriously reduce the risk of the possibility of a serious COVID infection at sea, far from advanced medical care. The Government of Kiribati has its own COVID-19 regulations, which you will need to comply with in order to enter Kiribati. We will keep you updated as far as we are able as the trip approaches.
In addition to meeting all government requirements, the COVID-19 protocol for the boat is as follows:
Everyone on board the vessel must provide proof of vaccination with at least two doses against This is a requirement of the government of Kiribati.
14 days before trip: I agree to take maximum precautions to minimize my risk of infection with COVID-19 by following CDC guidelines.
72 Hours Before Boarding: I agree to take a PCR or Rapid Antigen covid test at my own expense. This test must be administered or proctored by a medical professional, and the result must be on official letterhead. If a testing site is available that can provide results in less than 72 hours, I agree to get tested as close to the date and time of boarding as is consistent with receiving results before boarding.
In the event that you have a fever over 100.4F or test positive on your pre-trip COVID test, you will not be allowed aboard the vessel, and we will be happy to transfer your payment to a trip of your choosing at a later date.
Reserve your spot now with only a $500 deposit! This deposit is non-refundable per our crew contract. However, it is transferable or refundable in the event that we are forced to cancel this voyage or significantly alter the itinerary (date or location change).
Call Us: +1 (305) 330-4212 (Pacific Time), leave a message if we don’t pick up and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
The Future is Orange
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Click on a heading below to learn more!
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Day 1: Arrive at Sea Dragon
You’ll join us at the dock in Hawaii between 1500-1700 to move on board. You’ll have the opportunity to find your bunk and get settled in. You’ll get familiarized with the boat, have dinner, and settle in for your first night aboard.
Day 2 : Safety Training and Officialdom
We’ll spend the day learning how to safely handle Sea Dragon and deal with any situations that may arise. We’ll also have a visit from the Palmyra Station Fish and Wildlife representative on Oahu to discuss the rules and conditions of our visit, as well as to give us a quick orientation to the island we’ll be visiting. Depending on time and weather, we’ll probably go for a quick day sail to practice what we’ve learned, or maybe even go snorkeling with turtles and dolphins at a nearby beach.
Day 3: Departure from Green to Big Blue
After breakfast, we’ll drop lines and head out to sea. As we set our sails and point south, the backdrop of green mountainsides will slowly fade and give way to a 360-degree endless horizon. We’ll settle into our watch schedule and routine for our 1000NM sail.
Day 4 – 7: Underway Offshore
We’ll have some nice fast sailing on our way to the Central Pacific atoll of Kiritimati. Fingers crossed we’ll be visited by dolphins, whales and endless sea birds. The warm tropical sailing will be quite the treat!
Day 8: Atoll Arrival
Welcome to Palmyra! We’ll make our way through the reef and anchor in the lagoon on this gorgeous atoll. Keep an eye out for all types of life –manta rays, melon-headed whales, sharks, and dolphins! We’ll meet the refuge staff and get an orientation to this very special location. There’s nothing like dinner on deck at anchor in a remote location such as this.
Day 9-10: Another World Exploration
We’ll take full advantage of our surroundings over the three days on location. Exploration is the name of the game. We’ll work closely with the scientists and staff on Palmyra to minimize our impact on this special place as we explore ashore, paddle board in the lagoon, and get a chance to snorkel on some of the most spectacular reefs in the world. Nights at anchor. Depending on weather, we may leave depart on Day 10 or 11 to head to Kiritimati, but if all is well we’ll stay and enjoy as long as we can.
Day 11: Back to Sea
After a visit to a place you can only get to by sea, we’ll pick anchor and head out of the lagoon when the light is favorable. We’ll set sail once again and point our bow north towards Hawaii and settle in for an upwind sail.
Day 12: Underway to Kiritimati
At sea in the tropics – enjoy a last day of sailing the tropical pacific before arriving at Kiritimati.
Day 13: Arrive in Kiritimati
We’ll anchor off the cargo pier and clear through Customs & Immigration today, before being able to go ashore to explore the island.
Day 14: Exploration Ashore and Afloat
We’ll spend the day seeing what Kiritimati has to offer.
Day 15: Departure Day
It will be an early morning to be up and off to catch the weekly flight back to Honolulu in the morning.
[/expand] [expand title=”What’s Included”]
Contribution Includes: – 14 nights accommodation on Sea Dragon – All meals (vegetarian), snacks, and drinks on board – Sailing instruction – Safety equipment and foul weather gear – Mask, snorkel, fins – Use of Inflatable Paddle Boards – Transportation from Sea Dragon to Kiritimati Airport
Contribution does not include: – Transportation to and from Honolulu and Kiritimati – Transportation to Sea Dragon in Kiritimati – Additional nights spent ashore – Personal expenses while in port
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It’s hot in the Central Pacific – Take a look at our Tropicalpacking list.
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You will join the boat in Honolulu between 1500-1700 on the first day. You will depart the boat early in the morning on the last day to make it to the airport in time.
We’ll be docked at Waikiki Yacht Club in downtown Honolulu, a 20 minute taxi from HNL airport. Cassidy International Airport (CXI) is about 20 minutes from where we’ll be anchored, and we’ll arrange transport to connect you with the one weekly Fiji Airways flight (FJ 822) back to Hawaii. Please note that Kiritimati is on the same time zone but a day ahead of Hawaii, so the flight departs Kiritimati on the 5th of July but lands in Hawaii on the 4th.
All crew members will require a passport and visas from their home country that will allow them to travel to/ from the United States and Kiritimati. Please ensure you have the appropriate paperwork completed before joining the vessel, or you will not be allowed to board. Please look into the specific type of visa you need for arriving at these destinations by sea, or contact us directly to discuss.
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[/expand] [expand title = “Your Crew”]
MARY VAUGHAN-JONES – Captain
I grew up in North West England, spending every weekend outdoors in the Lake District. After attending university in Cardiff, I worked as a personal trainer, working in the Middle East for a time before discovering the Clipper Round the World Sailing race. I became completely hooked on offshore sailing and after completing half the 19-20 race (pre Covid!) I gained my Yachtmaster qualification in order to be able to work in the industry. I became the skipper for a youth trust based in the Solent, England, working with young adults in order to widen their horizons and build their confidence which I found immensely rewarding. The itch to see more of the world by sea led me to becoming a freelance cruising instructor which enabled me to work with a variety of companies on a range of boats from 20’ to 70’, cruisers to high spec race boats. I spent some time in the Caribbean and around the UK helping refit boats until the Clipper Race restarted. I returned as a first mate, helping lead a crew of amateurs from the Philippines back to the UK and also completing my own circumnavigation. Having already seen the North Pacific, I’m excited to be on board Sea Dragon and explore more of the Pacific’s waters and islands- showing others the joy of ocean sailing, discovering the world around them and our effect on it, as well as teaching them to sail and work as a team.
Mary holds her Yachtmaster Ocean with commercial endorsement as well as her MCA Proficiency in Medical Care certificate.
“Sail through the good days, and on bad days pick a spot of blue sky to steer toward.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes ⛵
Life offshore has a way of putting things into perspective. Some days bring smooth seas, golden sunsets, and easy miles. Others test your patience, your resilience, and your ability to keep moving forward.
But somewhere between the watches, conversations on deck, and shared moments at sea, you’re reminded that even difficult days pass. Sometimes all you need is a direction to keep steering toward.
Sea Dragon has become that place for many people, a space to disconnect from the noise, reconnect with nature, and return to something simpler for a while.
#Panexplore #SailTheWorld #OceanJourney #OceanAdventures #SailingInstagram #TrySomethingNew
🌊 World Oceans Week with The Explorers Club 🌊
One of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
A 72ft expedition vessel. And a cause worth bidding for.
We’re donating a Galápagos sailing expedition to the @the_explorers_club #WOW2026 auction — because exploration and conservation belong together.
Link in bio to bid.
#WorldOceanWeek #Galapagos #OceanExploration #SailTheWorld ConservationMatters Panexplore
Join NatGeo photographer Brian Doyle aboard SV Sea Dragon for an 18-day Arctic passage from Nuuk, Greenland to Reykjavík, Iceland. Learn to shoot pictures like a professional in extraordinary light, in extraordinary places — while actually crossing an ocean.
July 23 – August 9 · $6,990 · limited avail, HURRY UP!!!
🔗 Link in bio.
@briandoylephoto
#TheVikingRoute #PhotoExpedition #ArcticAdventure #ExpeditionSailing #Panexplore NatGeoPhotographer Greenland Iceland
There’s something powerful about stepping into the unknown, especially when you’re not doing it alone.
In August 2026, an all-female crew will set sail across the North Atlantic, navigating more than 550 nautical miles from Iceland to the Faroe Islands. Delivered in collaboration with Her Planet Earth, this is a demanding, fully immersive offshore passage where participants won’t just be along for the journey, they’ll be actively sailing, standing watch, and adapting to constantly changing conditions.
Participants won’t just cross the ocean. They’ll learn how to navigate it. Step into leadership. Make decisions that matter in real time. And beyond the experience itself, the expedition contributes to a wider mission, supporting women-led environmental initiatives and expanding representation in offshore sailing.
#Panexplore #SailTheWorld #OffShoreLife #SailingInstagram #WomenWhoExplore #TrySomethingNew
Saying yes to something like this doesn’t always feel easy.
It’s a bit unknown, a bit outside your usual routine, and definitely not your typical kind of trip.
But once you’re out there, you settle into it. You learn, you adapt, and you become part of something that feels both challenging and incredibly rewarding at the same time.
Crossing an ocean isn’t just about getting from one place to another; it’s everything that happens along the way.
#Panexplore #SailingAdventure #CrossTheOcean #AdventureTravel #LifeAtSea #ExploreMore #BucketListTravel #RealAdventure
Legend says this is the original spinnaker of Global Challenge @barclaysuk CB37…so when it got torn across the Atlantic last year, we sent it to @northsails to repair it. Why get a new one when we get to use this incredible piece of history?
Come and join us onboard Challenge 72 Legend SV Sea Dragon along the coasts of Nova Scotia & Newfoundland - see our itinerary and book your berth before it’s too late!
🔗 Link in Bio
From New York to the wild coastlines of Atlantic Canada, this is the kind of journey that completely changes your sense of distance.
The further north you sail, the quieter everything gets. Cold air, open water, dramatic cliffs, whales surfacing beside the boat, puffins along the shoreline, every part of the journey feels a little more remote than the last.
And somewhere between offshore watches, changing weather, and long days at sea, you stop feeling like a passenger and start feeling genuinely connected to the experience around you.
This isn’t just about reaching Newfoundland or Nova Scotia. It’s about everything that happens on the way there.
Join us.
#Panexplore #NovaScotia #Newfoundland #SailingAdventure #OceanExpedition #AdventureTravel #LifeAtSea #ExploreMore
Greenland has a way of making everything else feel very far away.
The scale of it is difficult to explain until you’re actually there, towering icebergs, silent fjords, shifting light, and stretches of coastline with almost no sign of human presence at all.
It’s not the kind of place you rush through. You move with the weather, the ice, and the rhythm of life on board.
And somewhere along the way, the Arctic stops feeling like a destination and starts feeling like a completely different world.
#Panexplore #Greenland #ArcticSailing #SailingAdventure #IcebergExpedition #AdventureTravel #LifeAtSea #WildPlaces
It’s not a cruise, and it’s not something you just observe from the sidelines.
You’re involved in the day-to-day life on board, learning as you go and contributing as part of the crew.
That’s what makes it different: it’s active, it’s shared, and it’s something you grow into while you’re there.
Step by step, you become part of it.
#Panexplore #SailingAdventure #AdventureTravel #LifeAtSea #ExpeditionSailing #LearnToSail #SoloTravel #WomenWhoExplore
Preparing for an offshore expedition? Don’t overlook this. Joining an expedition is always exciting, but getting the logistics right makes it smooth from the start. Here’s what to have in place before you step aboard:
🔹 Passport & Travel Documents: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. Bring copies of your expedition ticket and return travel details, you may need them at check-in or immigration.
🔹 Visas: You are responsible for securing the correct visas for every country on your itinerary. When completing forms, list your trip purpose as tourism and your local address as “Sailing Vessel Sea Dragon.”
🔹 Proof of Onward Travel: Many countries require proof that you’re leaving. A return flight confirmation is often essential for entry.
🔹 Medical & Evacuation Insurance: Your policy should cover offshore sailing, international waters, and emergency evacuation. Some plans only cover you within 12 miles of shore, so double-check the details.
🔹 Travel Insurance: Delays, cancellations, and lost luggage can happen. Make sure you’re covered, especially since expedition departures cannot be delayed.
🔹 Trip-Specific Coverage Matters: Different routes require different coverage. For remote voyages, evacuation to your home country may be more important than local treatment coverage.
🔹 Bring Printed Copies: Keep physical copies of your insurance, visas, and certifications onboard in case of emergency.
🔹 Optional: Diving Requirements: If your trip includes diving, you’ll need an Open Water certification, dive accident insurance (such as DAN) and your own core equipment.
Planning this part well means you can focus on what really matters once you’re out there: The ocean, the crew, and the experience.
👉 Have questions before you join? Send us a message or check the link in bio to get in touch with our team.
#Panexplore #SailTheWorld #OffShoreLife #SailingInstagram #SailingTips #SailTrip
One of the first things people ask is whether they need experience before coming on board. The answer is no experience needed!
Most people start exactly where you are, curious, a little unsure, and wondering if they’re really capable of something like this. The truth is, you don’t need to have it all figured out before you arrive. You learn step by step, surrounded by people who are there to guide you and a crew that quickly starts to feel like your own.
And somewhere along the way, something shifts. What once felt intimidating starts to feel natural.
You just have to start.
#Panexplore #SailingAdventure #LearnToSail #AdventureTravel #LifeAtSea #WomenWhoExplore #SoloTravel #TrySomethingNew
