Ocean crossings
Pacific Puddle Jump
Around 3,000 miles from Mexico or Panama to the Marquesas, crossing the doldrums into steady trade winds and the first tropical South Pacific landfall.
13 episodes on the chart
- Distance
- about 2,700-3,000 nm from Mexico; about 3,000-3,100 nm from GalƔpagos (sources differ); about 4,000 nm from Panama
- Typical duration
- about 18-25 days at sea from Mexico
- Season / best months
- Depart Feb-April (mostly March); arrivals March-May
- Prevailing winds
- Light winds off Mexico, unsettled ITCZ near the equator, then SE trades 15-25 kt
- Start / finish
- Banderas Bay (Mexico), Panama or GalƔpagos to Hiva Oa / Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia
- Fleet size
- more than 100 boats in a typical year (2018 migration reported over 100 boatloads)
The Pacific Puddle Jump is the annual migration of cruising boats from the Americas to French Polynesia. It is informal, not a race or a rally, and Latitude 38 magazine has tracked it since the 1990s. Most boats start from Banderas Bay in Mexico. Others leave from Panama (about 4,000 nm to the Marquesas) or the GalƔpagos (about 3,000 nm). The usual first landfall is Hiva Oa or Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas.
Boats typically leave between February and April and take 18-25 days, arriving March to May. They pick their way out of Mexico in light airs, cross the equatorial convergence zone with its squalls and calms, then finish with about two weeks of SE trade winds of 15-25 knots.
This is one of the longest non-stop passages most cruisers make. The appeal is a clean break between continents and cultures. The difficulty is route choice through the ITCZ, weeks offshore, and being far from any shelter or help.
Highlights
- Equator crossing under sail
- Landfall at the Marquesas: Hiva Oa or Nuku Hiva
- Community send-offs in Puerto Vallarta and Panama
- Gateway to five French Polynesian archipelagos
Watch out for
- Doldrums and squalls in the ITCZ can cost days
- Leaving too late risks entering the tropical cyclone period
- Weeks with no chance of a stop or rescue
- French Polynesia entry formalities vary by nationality: check before departure
Episodes on this route 13
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29 days sailing Panama to French Polynesia the whole passage
Marquesas Islands French Polynesia
This is our whole pacific crossing in one video it's a long one so get comfy and join us as we sail across the biggest ocean on earth. Cheers everyone for watching!!
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Pacific Crossing ITCZ to Hiva Oa
Atuona Hiva Oa, French Polynesia
The second half of our Pacific Crossing from San Diego to the Marquesas Islands. In April 2026 we set out from San Diego in our Lagoon 400 catamaran Seachelle, and sailed non-stop to Atuona on Hiva Oa island.
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Our Strangest Shark Encounter so far š¦ (EP024)
Hiva Oa Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia
In the last episode, we spent nearly 11 unforgettable days exploring the Marquesas Islands and were blown away from the moment we made landfall in Fatu Hiva.
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Life After Landfall | Exploring the Marquesas Following Our Pacific Crossing
After crossing more than 3,000 miles of Pacific Ocean, we finally had a chance to slow down and enjoy life in the Marquesas Islands. But life after landfall isn't just tropical anchorages and waterfalls.
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āµ After 17 Days at Sea - This Island Doesn't Feel Real ā°ļø (EP023)
Fatu Hiva Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia
After 17 days at sea, weāve finally arrived in paradise š“āØ Fatu Hiva feels like something straight out of Jurassic Park ā towering cliffs, lush jungle, tropical fruits everywhere, and some of the kindest people weāve met on our ā¦
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Eventually, Life in the Pacific Felt Normal
Marquesas Islands French Polynesia
Eventually, life in the Pacific started to feel normal. After more than a week at sea crossing the Pacific Ocean, the routines of offshore life slowly began to settle in.
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3000 Miles Across the Pacific ā Sailing to French Polynesia šāµš“ (EP022)
Fatu Hiva Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia
After our unforgettable time on the GalĆ”pagos Islands, the greatest adventure of our journey begins ā crossing the mighty Pacific Ocean.
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This Is It. Weāre Crossing the Pacific
Marquesas Islands French Polynesia
Weāre finally doing it. After months of preparation, weāre leaving the GalĆ”pagos and setting sail across the Pacific Ocean ā 3,000 nautical miles to the Marquesas. This is the moment everything has been building toward.
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I sailed SOLO from Panama to French Polynesia! I made it! [ep 166]
Marquesas Islands French Polynesia
Crossing the Pacific Ocean is something I have always dreamed about. This week, after 4,088 miles and 28 days alone at sea with my cat, Mako, I made it to French Polynesia!
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South Pacific Crossing 2 | E052
Marquesas Islands French Polynesia
@yachtzenagain6877 completes her 4500 mile passage sailing across the Pacific Ocean from Panama to French Polynesia.
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Up the mast alone at sea on my PACIFIC CROSSING [ep 163]
There are times when I wish there was someone to help me on my sails.. these days were those.
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Boobies - to Love or Not to Love
Marquesas Islands French Polynesia
I LOVE BOOBIESā¦ But the Captainās Had Enough! šš¦āµ Join us as we set sail from the GalĆ”pagos to the Marquesas ā with an unexpected (and very enthusiastic) stowaway: a red-footed booby we named Brad.
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REACHING LAND AFTER 20 DAYS AT SEA - Galapagos to Marquesas, French Polynesia 3000nm /5400km - Ep 42
Marquesas Islands French Polynesia
After 20 days at sea, the crew of Stardate finally arrive in French Polynesia. But before reaching our destination, thereās still plenty of work to be done.
Crews on this route
Read more
- Latitude 38: Puddle Jumpers Prepare to Pounce
- KeelIndex: Pacific Puddle Jump
- Sail-World: Cruising the Pacific, the Coconut Milk Run
A summary for learning and dreaming, not for navigation. Rules, fees, seasons and security advice change: check current official sources before you go.