2024 & 2025 MAHINA OCEAN EXPEDITIONS

2024 & 2025 Mahina Ocean Expeditions will be conducted in the Scottish Isles and New Zealand (same as 2022 & 2023).

2025 will be my 36th and final season of offering sail-training expeditions.

Over a 10-day expedition you’ll sail approximately 300 miles, completing at least one 100-mile overnight passage while learning to deal with huge tides and currents and uncharted rocks (except in NZ) in dramatic and remote cruising areas.

Scotland stands out in my mind as the finest venue in the world for this type of sail-training because of the volatile weather conditions, lack of crowds, fabulous history and natural beauty.

New Zealand is equally beautiful with sub-tropical start-of-summer conditions that are a little less dynamic than the Scottish Isles. You’re invited to join us snorkeling most days in crystal-clear water.

You’ll master traditional, celestial and electronic navigation, storm tactics, Lifesling overboard rescue and gain many valuable skills and experiences. Don’t hesitate to ask about the waiting list if the expedition you’re interested in is listed as filled, as I do get cancellations, particularly when some expeditions sell out nearly one year ahead.

Questions? Email John Neal: sailing@mahina.com

2024 New Zealand

New Zealand is beautiful, with sub-tropical start-of-summer conditions that are a little less dynamic than the Scottish Isles.

We’ll be snorkeling most every day in crystal-clear water.

Price: $6,000 per person

Leg 5 – 2024: Nov 9 – 18: Opua to Whangarei

Click HERE for itinerary.

2 berths available


Leg 6 – 2024: Nov 20 – 29: Whangarei to Opua

Click HERE for itinerary.

FILLED, 0 wait list


Cancellations regularly occur and all you need to do to be wait listed is send in an application, without deposit.

2025 Scottish Isles

This will be my 36th and FINAL SEASON of leading training expeditions worldwide. I’m considering it my victory lap!

Scotland stands out in my mind as the finest venue in the world for this type of sail-training because of the volatile weather conditions, huge tides and currents, unmarked dangers, fabulous history, lack of crowds and natural beauty.

We start in Oban, sailing through the Inner and Outer Hebrides, to St. Kilda, Orkney and back aboard an Elan 434.


Price: $6,000 per person.

Leg 1 – 2025: April 30 – May 9: Oban to Stornoway, Outer Hebrides

Click HERE for itinerary and HERE for Travel Tips

2 berths available


Leg 2 – 2025: May 11 – 20: Stornoway, Outer Hebrides to Kirkwall, Orkney

Click HERE for itinerary and HERE for Travel Tips

1 berth available


Leg 3 – 2025: May 22 – 31: Kirkwall, Orkney to Stornoway, Outer Hebrides

Click HERE for itinerary and HERE for Travel Tips

4 berths available


Leg 4 – 2025: June 2 – 11: Stornoway, Outer Hebrides to Oban

Click HERE for itinerary and HERE for Travel Tips

4 berths available


Leg 5 – 2025: June 13 – 22: Oban to Stornoway, Outer Hebrides

Click HERE for itinerary and HERE for Travel Tips

5 berths available


Leg 6 – 2025: June 24 – July 3: Stornoway to Oban

Click HERE for itinerary and HERE for Travel Tips

2 berths available


Cancellations regularly occur and all you need to do to be wait listed is send in an application, without deposit.