World ARC Leg 19 – Lombok to Cocos Keeling via Christmas Island

Skipper: Mats Eriksson, 1150 NM

**This leg of the World ARC consists of two blue-water sailing passages and exploration of exotic paradise islands in the Indian Ocean.**
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The adventure begins in Lombok with crew arriving on board on September 19. This provides a chance to familiarize yourself with Celeste as well as an opportunity to get to know your fellow crew members. There will also be time to explore Lombok and participate in social activities with the crews of the other boats participating in the World ARC.

Once Celeste is prepared with provisioning for the passage completed and a thorough safety briefing the leg starts with a departure past the towering peaks of Mount Rinjani and a course set westward. As we sail away from Lombok, the islands of Indonesia will slowly fade into the distance, to be replaced by the deep blues of the open ocean.

We will quickly settle into our sailing routines, and the watch shifts begin. You will be on watch for three hours and off watch for six hours. The responsible watch team handles steering, trimming, and navigation. As a crew member on board Celeste of Solent, you become part of the team and are involved in everything from steering and navigating to cooking and taking care of the boat.

The Indian Ocean is known for its rich marine life, so keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins, curious sea turtles, and maybe even the majestic sight of a whale breaching in the distance. After days of open water, Christmas Island will appear on the horizon. Christmas Island is an Australian outpost in the Indian Ocean, approximately 190 NM south of Java and Sumatra, and 840 NM northwest of mainland Australia. The island is packed with an abundance of extraordinary nature both on land and under the water and only about 2000 inhabitants.

After a few days exploring Christmas island and participating in social activities with the crew from the other boats we will set sails for another paradise – Cocos Keeling.
It consists of two atolls made up of 27 coral islands, of which only two – West Island and Home Island – are inhabited. The population of around 600 people consists mainly of Cocos Malays.

Cocos Keeling are almost untouched, offering some of the most pristine and secluded beaches in the world. The waters here are teeming with life—perfect for snorkelling or diving among colourful coral reefs that are home to schools of tropical fish, rays, and even the occasional reef shark. The atoll’s lagoons are calm and warm, ideal for a lazy swim or just floating under the sun. Take the dinghy to explore the smaller islands, where you can discover hidden coves, coconut groves.

This sailing route is more than just reaching a destination. It’s about the thrill of the open sea, the serenity of being surrounded by nothing but the sea, and the discovery of a remote paradise that few have the privilege to experience. From the rugged beauty of Lombok, to the abundance of extraordinary nature at Christmas Island and the untouched splendour in Cocos Keeling, this sailing trip is an adventure that will stay with you long after the journey ends.