Indonesia to Australia

Created by doina. Last modified on 2008-08-22 13:45:09
Contributors:
Topic: Malay Archipelago
Countries: Australia, Indonesia

We are planning to do the 2007 Darwin to Kupang Rally but after the season would like to return to Australia (while avoiding the cyclone season). Can you recommend the best return route and approx time of the year to make the return trip? I realize it is a long way off yet but we need to allocate sufficient time for the "preferred" return trip.

If you are only planning to sail from Kupang to Darwin, or even Bali to Darwin, then the best time is at the change of seasons, around end of October/early November. You don't want to leave too late to avoid being caught by an early cyclone. If you plan to go further than Darwin, or even Torres Strait, things become more complicated as you run into the cyclone season.

Jimmy Cornell, noonsite

A number of yachts have reported pleasant sailing passages from Flores to Timor and on to Darwin by waiting for a suitable weather pattern that allowed them to sail or motor sail when the dominant SE wind has more south in it. They waited at anchor for a few days till the favourable wind shift was predicted on GRIB weather charts they received via SailMail, then started their passage. The sail was worth the wait.

Allan Riches - Brunei Bay Radio
radio@bruniebay.net