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Polynesian Navigation Masterclass: Star-Chart Sailing at Sea

Learn the ancient Polynesian art of wayfinding — navigation by stars, swell, and bird flight — from a master navigator aboard a traditional vaka moana (ocean-going voyaging canoe) in the open Pacific.

What to expect

You'll board a beautifully maintained traditional double-hulled vaka moana at sunrise. The master navigator — a title earned over decades — begins with a star-chart reading and teaches you to read ocean swells with your body rather than instruments. As you sail, he narrates the extraordinary voyages of Polynesian ancestors who crossed the Pacific millennia before European exploration. The return journey includes a hands-on turn at the steering oar.

Book it with
Vaka Taumako Project (Official)
USD 280–350 per person for private half-day navigation masterclass and vaka sailing experience
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Good to know

Half-day; departs at sunrise for best navigation teaching conditions. Bring a light layer — open-ocean mornings can be brisk. No sailing experience needed. Limited to 8 guests maximum. Pre-booking essential; contact operator directly via website to arrange for your port call date.

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