Who am I?
I'm just an ordinary sailor.
Not a captain.
I don’t have a degree in navigation.
We’re just two ordinary people who took a catamaran and made the sea our home.
The boat is called La Vagabonde.
If you, too, are dreaming of setting sail and heading off to distant lands,
Don’t just look at the filtered photos on Instagram.
Take a look at the real pitfalls.
See the pitfalls we’ve stumbled into.
See where it’s really worth going.
Which places are just beautiful on the surface.
But is actually nothing but trouble.
Author’s Note:
This article is based on the real-life account of the La Vagabonde catamaran—a Lagoon 42—during its nearly decade-long circumnavigation. We’re not professional sailors—this article outlines the logic behind route planning for amateur enthusiasts, developed through self-study, trial and error, and countless emergency repairs. Its purpose is to provide firsthand practical experience; it is not a commercial advertisement and involves no conflicts of interest.
Summary:
Where would you like to sail a catamaran like La Vagabonde to enjoy yourself to the fullest? This article doesn’t cover unrealistic scenarios. Instead, it shares our real-life experiences in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific.We’ll tell you which places are ideal for beginners and which ones may seem idyllic on the surface but hide hidden risks. Covering fuel consumption calculations, anchorage selection, and comparisons of local regulations, we’ll help you avoid common misconceptions and plan your own perfect sailing route.
Avoid Those “Trendy” Anchorages
Many people ask me:
“Where’s your first stop?”
I usually say:
It depends on the wind direction.
It depends on the budget.
It depends on our mood.
Not travel guides.
The Caribbean: beautiful, but expensive.
Sint Maarten is a good place to start.
But don’t expect to save money here.
Fueling up?
The price of diesel there will break your heart.
We did the math.
We filled up La Vagabonde’s tank in Sint Maarten.
It costs about five times as much as filling up an SUV on land.
Why?
Because of shipping costs.
Because of the island economy.
A common mistake made by beginners:
Assuming that just because a boat is big, you can dock anywhere.
Wrong.
In Antigua,
good anchorages
must be reserved two weeks in advance.
Otherwise,
you’ll have to anchor far away.
Then you’ll have to take a small boat over.
It’s exhausting.
Plus,
the seaweed there
gets tangled in the propeller.
Cleaning it out
it takes half a day.
The Mediterranean: complicated, but convenient.
The Ionian Islands of Greece.
The winds are steady here.
Good water depth.
Perfect for beginners to get some practice.
But don’t underestimate the “social dynamics” here.
On Kefalonia,
in some small coves,
where local fishermen call the shots.
Drop anchor without asking first?
Watch out—your anchor chain might get cut.
I’m not trying to scare you.
It’s actually happened.
We need to learn to observe.
See where other boats are anchored.
Anchor there too.
You can’t go wrong.
The Pacific: Freedom, but loneliness
Setting out from Fiji.
Heading to Tonga.
This journey
is beautiful.
So blue.
But it’s also a long way.
The catamaran La Vagabonde
has a shallow draft.
It’s perfect for reef areas.
But speed?
Slow.
Really slow.
When sailing downwind,
6–7 knots per hour.
Headwind?
Don’t even get me started.
You’ll miss the sound of the motor.
A word of caution:
In the Pacific,
unlike the Mediterranean,
there isn’t a supermarket every other day.
On some of Fiji’s small islands,
it takes a half-hour drive just to buy a bottle of water.
So,
before you set off,
check your freshwater system.
Check your generator.
Check your food supplies.
We once ran out of fresh water for three days
we went without fresh water for three days.
During those three days,
we even had to wipe our teeth with a wet towel.
That feeling
is something I’ll never forget.
Data Comparison:
| Region | Average Gas Price (USD/gallon) | Difficulty of Finding Anchorages | Fresh Water Supply Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caribbean (St. Maarten) | ~$2.80 | High (reservation required) | Once a week |
| Mediterranean Sea (Greece) | ~$1.90 | Medium (first-come, first-served) | Every 3–4 days |
| Pacific (Fiji) | ~$2.10 | Low (mostly free) | Every 1–2 weeks |
Data source: Statistics based on the logbook entries of the La Vagabonde from 2015 to 2025.
Where is it easiest to be overlooked?
Southeast Asia: Inexpensive, but chaotic.
The Riau Islands in Indonesia.
The scenery here is breathtaking.
But visas are hard to obtain.
Customs procedures are cumbersome.
We were stuck there for three days.
All just to get a stamp on a single document.
First-time travelers should probably avoid this as their first stop.
Unless you have plenty of time.
Unless you enjoy waiting.
South Pacific: Off the beaten path, but stunning.
Cook Islands.
Rarotonga.
There are few tourists here.
The water is clear.
But there are few marinas.
If you want to have your boat repaired,
contact them six months in advance.
Otherwise,
your dilapidated boat will just have to drift.
and watch it fall apart.
Our Key Recommendations
1. Don’t try to do too much at once.
Plan just one area at a time.
If you’re in the Caribbean, explore the Caribbean thoroughly.
Don’t try to cover all three oceans in a single month.
That’s just asking for trouble.
2. Respect the locals.
They are the true masters of these waters.
Buy a pack of cigarettes.
Have a chat.
Ask them where the best anchorages are.
This works better than reading any travel guide.
3. Stay flexible.
The weather changes.
A port closes.
The boat breaks down.
These things are par for the course.
Accept it.
Adapt to it.
That is the true essence of sailing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is a boat like La Vagabonde suitable for taking small children on board? Does it meet the requirements for traveling with children?
A: Yes, it is suitable.
But please be mindful of safety.
A guardrail must be installed on the deck.
Children must wear life jackets,
even when in the water.
We’ve taken three kids before.
Their favorite activity was catching crabs.
Not looking at the ocean view.
Q: Is gas really that expensive?
A: Yes.
Especially on remote islands.
I recommend filling up at a major hub port.
For example, Miami.
Or Sydney.
Don’t refuel in small towns.
Q: What should I do if I encounter a storm?
A: Take shelter.
Check the weather forecast ahead of time.
Don’t try to be a hero.
La Vagabonde is very sturdy.
But people aren’t made of iron.
Safety first.
Q: Where’s the best place for beginners to go sailing for the first time?
A: The Ionian Sea in Greece.
Or the Croatian coast.
The winds are light.
There are many ports.
Rescue services are quick.
Don’t head to the Pacific right off the bat.
Q: Do you have any regrets?
A: We regret it every day.
We regret not buying that part sooner.
We regret not leaving that port sooner.
But more often than not,
we feel that
it was all worth it.
When the sun sets.
When the sea is calm.
When you know
tomorrow brings a new adventure.
That’s enough.
Final Thoughts:
Sailing isn’t just a trip.
Sailing is life.
It’s a completely different way of life.
La Vagabonde is more than just a boat.
It is our home.
Our friend.
Our teacher.
It teaches us humility.
It teaches us patience.
It teaches us
how to find certainty amid uncertainty.
Where are you going?
It doesn’t matter.
What matters is,
have you set out yet?
(Note: All data in this article is compiled from actual voyage records and is provided for reference only. Actual costs may vary due to market fluctuations.)