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.
Kiritimati Pier
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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.
Stepping aboard with little sailing experience can feel like a leap into the unknown, but it often becomes the start of something unforgettable.
Every expedition is an opportunity to build practical skills, gain confidence through hands-on experience, and discover what life at sea is really like. With guidance from an experienced crew and the chance to learn each day on the water, every mile becomes part of the journey.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're honored to have been part of your adventure, and we hope to welcome you back on board for another voyage soon. 🌊
#Panexplore #SailTheWorld #DreamTravel #OceanAdventures #SailingInstagram
True peace isn't found by standing still; it's discovered out where the sky meets the sea.
Step aboard and experience an extraordinary hands-on ocean voyage designed to clear your mind and challenge your spirit.
No prior sailing experience required 🌊
Secure your spot for our next departure at www.panexplore.com
#Sailing #FoilingTechnique #SailingLife #LagoDiGarda #Panexplore
The ocean brings people together, but our incredible crew and skippers make it an unforgettable home. Hear what some of our guest crew members have to say about their hands-on adventures aboard SV Sea Dragon. Ready to write your own sea story? ⚓
See upcoming departure dates at www.panexplore.com
#TravelTestimonial #SailingCrew #BucketListTravel #GratefulSkipper #Panexplore
The Bay of Biscay is not for everyone. 🌀
It's famous for keeping sailors on their toes, and sometimes reminding them exactly who's in charge.
The waves get bigger, the deck gets livelier, and hanging onto your coffee becomes a genuine skill. But for those who embrace the challenge, it's also one of the most rewarding stretches of water to cross.
On the bright side, smooth crossings make for terrible stories anyway!
#Panexplore #LifeAtSea #ExpeditionSailing #TrySomethingNew #SailFarLiveBold
The person who's always planning the next trip.
The one who says yes before they've figured everything out.
The one who's probably already looking at a map while you're reading this.
Tag them below.
#Panexplore #AdventureTravel #BucketListAdventure #ExploreMore #SailingAdventure #LifeAtSea #TravelCommunity #OceanAdventure
Ever wondered what offshore sailing actually feels like day to day? Offshore sailing has a rhythm that surprises most people when they experience it for the first time.
Here are three things that often stand out once you’re out on passage:
1️⃣ It can feel colder than expected, even in summer
Out at sea, constant wind exposure and little shelter mean it often feels colder than on land. Even in warmer months, wind chill and spray make layering essential.
2️⃣ Life runs on a 24-hour watch system
The vessel is always underway, so the crew rotates through watches day and night, covering steering, navigation, lookout duties, and monitoring conditions.
3️⃣ Everyone is part of running the boat
Offshore sailing is shared work. Crew members rotate through helming, sail handling, navigation logging, cooking, and general upkeep, learning by doing throughout the voyage.
Together, these elements define what offshore sailing really is, structured, active, and very different from traditional travel at sea.
#Panexplore #SailTheWorld #OffshoreLife #SailingTips #SailingInstagram #SailTrip
Mornings at sea have their own rhythm ☀️
After the early planning and preparation, the day eases into something slower. Breakfast onboard, shared conversations, and the simple comfort of starting the day together on the water...
It's a moment of quiet pause before the ocean takes over again.
And no, we're not sponsored by Nutella.
#Panexplore #Sailing #adventure #SailingInstagram #breakfast
SV Sea Dragon doing what she does best.
Some places are unforgettable.
Some journeys are too.
#Panexplore #SeaDragon #SailingAdventure #LifeAtSea #OceanLife #AdventureTravel #ExploreMore #YachtLife
At sea, every system onboard plays a role in shaping how an expedition is experienced.
We’re pleased to highlight RYSE Energy and their Silent Air Blade turbine technology, designed to deliver renewable power in a refined, low-noise format suited to remote and offshore environments.
Built for reliability where conditions are constantly changing, these turbines support cleaner, more self-sufficient energy generation without disrupting the natural soundscape of life at sea.
It’s partnerships like this that quietly strengthen the way modern expeditions operate, bringing together performance, sustainability, and a lighter footprint in the places we explore.
#Panexplore #Sailing #adventure #SailingInstagram #windturbines
A first ocean experience is something that stays with you long after you step back on land.
At Panexplore, every voyage is built around safety, learning, and shared time at sea. With an experienced crew supporting each step of the journey, guests are able to grow their confidence on the water while feeling fully supported throughout the expedition.
We’re grateful for the trust placed in our team, and even more grateful for the connections formed along the way. 🌊
#Panexplore #SailTheWorld #DreamTravel #OceanJourney #OceanAdventures #SailingInstagram
Sometimes the hardest part isn't the ocean crossing, the night watch, or learning something new.
It's deciding to start.
There will always be reasons to wait a little longer, learn a little more, or put it off until the timing feels perfect.
But the people who end up crossing oceans, spotting whales from the deck, and waking up in places most people never see usually have one thing in common:
At some point, they stopped thinking about it and went.
#Panexplore #GoSailing #AdventureTravel #LifeAtSea #SailingAdventure #TrySomethingNew #ExploreMore #OceanLife
