If you live to surf real waves with only a few other surfers around; if you like clear water, fishing , diving, tow surfing into perfection, or if you just love surrounding yourself with beautiful, tropical landscapes, the Marshall Islands are for you.
The Marshall Islands is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, located just a few degrees west of the International Date Line and a few degrees north of the Equator. Unlike some equatorial land masses, the Marshall Islands benefits from steady tradewinds that help to create a very comfortable climate. These trade winds help to create fantastic conditions for wind sports, like kiteboarding and windsurfing, as well as superb wind conditions for surfing, particularly at low tide with the wind being side offshore at the takeoff and becoming more offshore as the waves bend around the reef. The trade winds also compliment the water temperature, which hovers year round at about 80 degrees, and together the air and water temperatures make for a very comfortable environment. You can also relax, knowing that the Marshall Islands is also a malaria-free zone.
The Marshallese people are by nature, polite, hospitable, friendly and a bit on the conservative side. Women dress modestly and it is recommended for the girls, especially in the remote outer islands, to dress a bit more conservatively when there are Marshalesse people around. They have a strong traditional culture based on a hereditary heirarchy. There is very little public land and almost none in the outer atolls. Every small island is owned by someone, including the reefs, anchorages and adjacent waters, so permission must be obtained from the landowners to go ashore, dive, fish or surf. This is almost always granted, though politeness and respect is appreciated.
Indies Trader has a domestic foreign Investment business licence, and conforms to all local taxes, rules and regulations and operates as Liveaboard Charter operator within the jurisdiction of the Marshall islands government. Martin and his team have made a significant investment and executed a long term lease on some strategically located property and they are proceeding to construct some environmentally appropriate facilities.
::SURFING::
The surf in the Marshalls is as good as anywhere in the world, with perfect right handers as well as a few amazing lefts. Waves range from fun and cruisy to world class barrels. Between mid October to mid April the swell is consistent and usually at its very best. This is a relatively new surfing region and new waves are still being discovered each season. While there are south swell magnets that occasionally get waves during the summer, as well as plenty of windswell to keep surfers satisfied between groundswell, its the northern Pacific winter storms that are sure to gift you with the best surfing of your life. Plus, the wind is almost always offshore, making for beautiful wave faces. Think long, perfect righthand point waves, with no one around and you'll have a good idea as to what's in store for you! For the more adventurous, tow surfing is also on offer.
::WIND SPORTS::
The trade winds blow between 15 and 25 knots consistently from November to August. Wind at the breaks is side offshore and perfect for sailing or kitesurfing. The Marshalls have been featured recently on some cutting edge windsurfing videos and Martin has formed a strategic alliance with Keith Teboul at Quattro Sailboards who is providing windsurfing pro services and equipment for guided windsurfing charters on the Windward.
For more information, videos, and photos regarding windsurfing and surfing in the marshall islands, please visit http://marshallwaves.com
::DIVING::
The Diving in the Marshall Islands is unrivaled and both the Windward and Indies Trader 1 are set up for liveaboard diving. Onboard equipment includes a USA certified Deck Decompression Chamber as well as other safety equipment for advanced remote location sport diving. Nitrox, O2, Helium and Sorb for the Tech diving guys, Steel and aluminium twinsets, deco pony bottles, etc are also available. Divers should make sure to bring their own personal equipment as this is not provided.
Martin and his team have a concession agreement with the Bikini atoll local governement and are offering trips to Bikini out of Kwajalein atoll between May and November. Trips include wreck diving in Kwajalein, diving along the atomic atolls of Rongelap and Rongerick and wreck diving in Bikini on the nuclear fleet. Whole boat charters are available through SurferLiving.com. Singles should contact Lani at Bikini Atoll divers.
Bikini Atoll is now a world heritage site this region boasts the worlds best wreck diving ,in the worlds most pristine tropical marine environment.
::ABOUT THE WINDWARD::
The Windward is the newest addition to the Indies Trader Fleet. Originally a trawler then a pearling mothership, the Windward went through renovation and transformed into an all out remote location watersports support vessel. Because of it’s size, the Windward is perfect for large groups looking for full days of surfing and comfortable conditions on deck. The large covered back deck serves a great toy shed and can easily handle an amazing amount of gear.
Whether you're interested in doing a surf trip or dive trip, the Windward is a versatile and comfortable vessel in great condition. The Windward has 2 dinghies and a Jet ski with rescue sled. A Hiab seacrane to get the toys on and off the boat easily and quickly. Its spacious accommodations, walk in coolroom, icy air conditioning, lots of deckspace, a fantastic western Chef and the most experienced surfing/ diving skipper, make Windward a comfortable, well appointed and ideal vessel for your Marshall Islands' voyage.
::ABOUT MARTIN DALY::
