Sail like our Ancestors (Vaka)

‘Vaka’ - voyaging the great seas, navigating by the stars and connecting our necklace of Pacific Islands.

Our Polynesian tradition of vaka voyaging was the most sophisticated in the world –we were the masters of the biggest ocean mass on the planet.

In recent years this ancient art has been revived through ‘Pacific Voyagers’ and the building of seven ‘Vaka Moana’ a fleet of ocean voyaging vaka from different islands. Their aim is to reconnect with the traditions of Pacific communities and the ocean, to spread the message of ocean protection

Their mission is simple:

“Use the wisdom of the ancestors, combined with modern science, to propel us into a more sustainable future, to help heal our injured ocean, to raise awareness, and to revive the cultural traditions of voyaging.  We know that the health of the oceans reflects the health of the people.

And when we truly acknowledge this insight, when we are aware of extensive threats to the ocean, and when we care about the future of our children, the only logical step is to create a new vision, a sustainable sail plan based on values of interconnectedness, respect and stewardship.”