How to Travel from California to Australia
There is quite a bit to see in between California and Australia. A sailing destination with this many nautical miles requires time, patience, and positivity.
For example, sailing from San Francisco, California to Sydney, Australia is estimated to take between 45 and 60 days to complete. This assumes perfect conditions and averaging 10 knots, so it could become longer depending on the weather and how long stops take.
San Francisco to Ports in Hawaii
When leaving San Francisco, sailors must coordinate to a place that offers fuel, food, and a place to stay other than anchoring for a night. Hawaii is a great destination to make a stop between California and Australia. The distance between California and Hawaii is 2,030 nautical miles, so this will take a few days at minimum to reach.
Hawaii has some of the best sailing conditions that sailors would ever hope to find in the world. Personally, it ranks within the top five best destinations for the right sailing conditions with warm weather, consistent breezes, and a calm ocean.
There is actually no better way to see Hawaii than to sail around the islands. When visiting, I would recommend checking out Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Hawaii to Ports in Fiji
Upon departing Hawaii, the next stop to make would be in Fiji. The distance between Hawaii and Fiji is about 2,739 nautical miles, making this stop a little over the halfway point in the destination to Australia.
There are a little over 300 islands to explore in Fiji, so this is the perfect opportunity to gain valuable experience while sailing and to see some of the most beautiful islands in the world. If compared to Hawaii, this location beats it in a contest with beauty and sailing conditions.
Fiji is also home to plenty of attractions that anyone should check out when they are not sailing. I would recommend looking into Kula Wild Adventure Park, Garden of the Sleeping Giant, and Natadola Beach.
Fiji to Ports in Sydney
After having two stops in beautiful sets of islands, it is time to reach the endpoint of the destination in Australia. The distance between Fiji and Sydney, Australia is 1,736 nautical miles.
Sydney is known for appealing locations inland and along the coast. They also have some appealing sailing conditions year round.
When exploring Sydney, I would not miss out on the Royal Botanic Garden, the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach. Other popular things to do include the Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, and the Australian Museum.
Tips for Sailing from California to Australia
When it comes to long distances in sailing, a lot of planning has to be part of the process. If not, sailors could be in a situation not ideal for anyone. This means checking out ports to refuel, sleep, and restock food, proper preventative maintenance on the boat, and purchasing anything extra such as gear.
The important thing to remember is that sailors must take their time when completing a checklist of gear or walking through the condition of a boat. I would personally go over the condition of a boat twice to make sure no cracks in the hull were missed. Sailors that rush this process might make the mistake of having to make unnecessary repairs while in another location.
Best Opportunity to Sail
The best time to sail to Australia from California would be between November and March. Each stop will bring different climate changes. Breaking this down further in addition to making stops, the summer months would be ideal.
For example, the best time to sail in Hawaii is around May. While every month is almost perfect in Hawaii, May is best for constant sunshine, good breezes, and not as much traffic. School will still be in session around May, so the local atmosphere might be less crowded.
For Fiji, the best time to sail is between May and September. This is very similar weather patterns to Hawaii, so anyone can make adjustments along the way.
Condition and Type of Boat
At a minimum, I would consider a boat to travel long distances to be around 25 feet long. This will give plenty of space for storage, food, gear and other essentials. Anything smaller and that is considered a dinghy, which is not ideal for long distance traveling.
So sailboats that are ideal for a trip like this include trawlers, catamarans, and most monohulls. Doing research is crucial to picking out the right boat for any individual and their situation.
Before every trip, I always check the sails, lines, and hull for any cracks. These are just a few of the many things that need to be checked before departing.
Passports and Visas Required
Sailors that want to make the trip from California to Australia will need to have a passport. Hawaii is still part of the US, so no worries there when traveling domestically.
Fiji requires passports just like any other country, but it has to be valid within six months of arrival. If it is not valid, sailors cannot enter. It is important to plan ahead of time.
With Australia, sailors need a valid passport in combination with a visa or an approved Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). In most cases, it is easy to obtain an ETA when spending less than 90 days there for business or tourism.
Necessary Gear
The climate in Hawaii, Fiji, and Australia are all going to be different. However, they are not too far apart from one another.
For most of the year, the winter gear should be left alone in Australia. It is up to the individual to bring something for cooler nights.
When making stops along the way, it is best to have an anchoring system if no marinas are available. In addition, I always have a heavy-duty VHF radio for emergencies and an up to date navigation in charts or GPS.
Eating, Drinking, and Fueling
Since it is estimated to take 45 to 60 days to complete this trip, I would recommend stocking up on fresh food when given the chance. In addition, buying canned or quick meal items is key to having something on the stomach for days when it is difficult to cook.
Refueling is important when making stops, so every 450 miles is a good rule of thumb. However, some boats are capable of having more or less depending on size.
I like to have a quality desalination device to make saltwater turn into potable water. Bottled waters take up a lot of space, add weight, and add more trash when finished.
