World ARC Leg 20 – Cocos Keeling to Mauritius

Skipper: Mats Eriksson, 2350 NM

This adventure kicks off in the remote paradise of Cocos Keeling and ends up in another paradise – Mauritius – east of Madagascar. An opportunity to explore both a unique atoll and the cultural blend of tropical Mauritius. In between the crossing of the Indian Ocean and you will be 2350 NM richer.

The adventure begins in Cocos Keeling. Crew gather on board on the 4th of October to familiarize themselves with Celeste and to get to know one another. There will be time to explore Cocos Keeling and participate in social activities with the crew of the other boats participating in the World ARC.

Cocos Keeling 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. Mostly untouched these islands 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. Celeste will be prepared with provisioning for the passage and after a thorough safety briefing will depart for the start of the rally leg on October 6; leaving the atoll’s lagoons behind and heading into open seas.

We 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 steady trade winds, making for smooth and exhilarating sailing. The marine life is rich. Dolphins will most probably often play in the bow waves. We might have sea turtles, and maybe even the majestic sight of a whales. The fishing here is world-class.

Since Celeste is a performance yacht we will probably sight land earlier than most other boats participating in the World ARC. After 14-16 days of open ocean, the volcanic peaks of Mauritius will start to rise on the horizon.

As we approach, we will be greeted by emerald-green mountains, white sandy beaches, and the inviting turquoise waters of Mauritius famous lagoons. Mauritius is famous for its white beaches, but there is more to explore – snorkelling the coral reefs, hiking up the dramatic Le Morne Brabant or trekking through the lush interior to discover waterfalls and botanical gardens.

Mauritius is a blend of cultures, and its diverse heritage is reflected in everything from the delicious food to the colourful festivals. Native languages are English, French, Mauritian Creole, Hindi, Mandarin, Hakka, and Bhojpuri. English is the official language, but it is spoken by less than one percent of the population. Approximately half of the population is Hindu, one-third is Christian, and one-sixth is Muslim.

As other yachts begin to arrive there will be social activities and time to share experiences from the crossing of the Indian Ocean.