Circumnavigating the Globe Solo
Circumnavigation is the journey of sailing around the globe. Sailing solo — also known as single-handing — as a female adds a unique, empowering dimension, breaking traditional gender norms in maritime adventures.
As I embark on the extraordinary voyage of my single-handing circumnavigation, I am driven not only by the thrill of conquering the open seas but by a deeper purpose—to inspire and empower women along the way. Each nautical mile becomes a metaphor for the challenges women face in various aspects of life, and my journey stands as a testament to resilience, independence, and breaking barriers.
Globally, my mission is to empower women through sailing, fostering confidence, independence, and the skills needed to navigate challenges both on and off the water.
Arriving in Marquesas
(Photo by Scott and Kathy Erwin as they see Hiva Oa for the first time)
Departing from Mexico in the spring of 2024, I’ll sail 2800 miles across the Pacific Ocean. Hiva Oa will be the first land I will see after roughly thirty days alone at sea. I know I will smell land before I see it - you don’t realize how strong the smell of terra firma is until you’ve been to sea for weeks. Hiva Oa will be my entry point to French Polynesia, and my spring board to exploring the vast chain of islands and atolls that make up French Polynesia.
I view French Polynesia as a location of advanced sailing. Technique and skill are the name of the game here.
Society Islands
Once I clear into French Polynesia, I’ll likely head to the Society Islands to satisfy the remaining steps in securing my long-stay visa. Tahiti will be the first stop which also affords an easy jump to Moore’a, a mountainous island to the west.
Most people know the island of Tahiti with its bustling city of Papeete, but Moorea has my heart. Lush jungle anchored by crystal blue waters and abundant marine life is a paradise we all dream of.
Moorea's rich Polynesian culture and warm hospitality promise a unique and enriching experience that adds depth to my circumnavigation journey.
Tuamotos
I’m off to the Tuamotos. There are 76 atolls in the Tuamotos, one raised coral atoll (Makatea), and innumerable coral reefs, roughly dispersed northwest-southeast as a double chain for more than 900 miles (1,450 km). It is the largest group of coral atolls in the world.
With the exception of Makatea, the islands are flat with little fresh water. The largest atoll of the group is Rangiroa, which consists of a circle of 20 islets surrounding a broad lagoon. Fakarava and Hoa atolls are also atolls I plan to visit. Raroia is the reef on which the Kon-Tiki expedition ended its 4,300-mile (6,900-km) eastward drift across the Pacific in 1947!
Katiu
Katiu is an atoll in the middle of the Tuamotos. It is likely I will pop in for a visit. I’ve been there before and know the pass into the atoll is shallow and narrow. Provisioning ships keep populated atolls supplied with fresh food and staples -it’s likely I’ll head there to see if I can garner supplies.
Katiu has about 250 inhabitants. I wrote a story about two of them -they are pearl farmers and used to live over the water in the lagoon, protecting their developing pearl inventory. A storm wiped out their ‘water' home, but the last time I visited they were collecting supplies to rebuild.
Gambier
Gambier, a remnant of a caldera with five main islands protected within its reefs, will be the furthest south I’ll sail. These islands are an extension of the Tuamotus, yet are considered a separate island group due to their culture and language. I’m not sure I’ll head there, as it all depends on the wind and weather, of course.
This area of French Polynesia is known for its pearl farming, producing some of the most prized black pearls in the world. If I go, I’ll now be 1000 miles south of Tahiti.