dorms, ferries and yachts

Thanks Laszlo,

for your previous reply. I'm also wondering about the following 3 questions. I have the latest LP guide to the South Pacific, but things change.

Which of the islands covered by this branch are likely to have dormitory accommodation?

Plus, besides the ferry between Samoa and American Samoa, are there any other international ferries operating anywhere between any islands?

Oh, I'm due to arrive in Fiji in about 3 weeks. What's the chances of finding a crewing possibility on a yacht at that time of the year. If so, which islands are the most promising for that sort of thing?

Thanks again all.

Fiji is the only one where dorms are common - on the mainland and the Yasawa/Mamanucas. You'll find a few in some of the other countries, but you're much more limited with your choices and you have different budget-friendly options (like open-air fales in Samoa).

I don't think there are any other international ferries. The distances are very far and the seas are rough. Flying is the most practical way to get around.

I wouldn't bank on finding a yacht anywhere, though it could happen. Fiji probably has the best odds for finding something.

There is a post somewhere in the archives of someone who got from the Solomon Islands to PNG by boat, but it wasn't a ferry. They basically paid various fisherman to get from point to point, and it was a very long journey.

The thing to keep in mind is ferries tend to operate where locals need to go. Locals are more likely to need to get to an outlying island in their own country than travel to another country.

I did Solomons to PNG by boat, it just a short hop.

There is (was?) also a fairly regular New Caledonia to Vanuatu run.

Irregular ships take passengers from Fiji to Tuvalu and Kiribati.

I think that's about it.

What's the chances of finding a crewing possibility on a yacht at that time of the year

Close to 0% at any time of year, if you're only playing the odds. You don't want to plan around this. It's more a matter of luck. Savusavu on Vanua Levu has a yachtie community, it seems to be a standard stop on multi-island tours. But I think this is the wrong time of year (too early).

The Cook Islands also has dorm accommodation - including Rarotonga (capital island), Aitutaki and Atiu islands. Prices start at $26.00 on Rarotonga, with similar prices on the two outer islands.

Dorms exist in many countries in the region, though nowhere as widespread as in Fiji.
There are some even in such relatively lightly-travelled places as PNG, the Solomons or in otherwise expensive New Caledonia or French Polynesia. Also in Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa... But I wouldn`t plan a trip around this.