13th May 2024 to 25th May 2024
Islands of The Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
From £3600 per person
Deposit 20%. Balance due 12 weeks before departure
Duration: 12 nights from 13 - 25 May 2024
From £1020 per person*
*Trips are priced in the operator's local currency. The sterling amount shown is a guide only and the amount you pay in sterling will change with currency fluctuations.
This Category 3 expedition explores the islands of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park which covers 12,000 square kilometres of the precious gulf that merges with the Pacific Ocean north-east of Auckland. This is an explorer expedition that takes in islands, beaches, hikes, sea life, fishing and the stunning island jewels of the world famous - Hauraki Gulf.
Why You’ll Love This Trip
- Explore the magnificent Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Located in the North Island, it is New Zealand’s largest marine reserve.
- Visit and explore up to 6 stunning locations including the wildlife paradise of Kawau Island, historic Mahurangi Harbour steeped in Maori Culture and colonial history, birders’ paradise Shakespear Bay and Elephant Cove with its iconic rock formations.
- Hike up New Zealand’s youngest volcano or go fishing on the volcanic shores of Rangitoto Island, discover rare species like takahe flightless birds and prehistoric reptiles, or relax on the white sandy beaches of Motuhie Island.
- Visit wineries like the famous Stonyridge Vineyard, Kennedy Point Vineyard and Wild on Waiheke, along with craft breweries serving up tasty lagers on New Zealand’s “Island of Wine”, Waiheke Island.
- Discover special places that very few people get to in their lifetimes.
Who The Trip Is For
- Anyone with an interest in sailing, eager to explore the waters and islands of New Zealand. You don’t need to have been on an overnight sailing trip to join this adventure.
- Adventurous travellers who want to discover off-the-beaten-track places, thrilling hikes and discover a world-renowned area of New Zealand in a unique way.
- Social travellers who enjoy the camaraderie that comes with living aboard a luxuriously appointed 72 ft steel hulled cruising ketch.
- With plenty of free time to choose our own daytime itineraries, you’ll have the power to fit in as many escapades as possible, or just chill out on deck with a good book.
Itinerary:
You can fly directly into Auckland on the 12th of May 2024 or early on the 13th. Our crew will officially assemble at 10am on the 13th of May at The Viaduct Harbour in Auckland and we will aim to depart as soon as we complete the yacht familiarisation and safety training process and head for our first of our island anchorages. You are welcome to stay onboard on the night of the 12th of May, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 12th , you will need to arrange accommodation ashore.
The goal is to circumnavigate the Hauraki Gulf, stopping at numerous scenic bays, anchorages and islands en-route, while managing around the weather to ensure a comfortable and safe expedition. This may include waiting for bad weather to pass while safely anchored or moored in a sheltered bay, inner sound, harbour or anchorage.
The coastlines you will encounter include some of the most stunning maritime scenery in New Zealand. The voyage starts with departing Auckland Harbour and sailing in an anti-clockwise direction to Rangitoto Island, Motuhie Island and Waiheke Island for a winery luncheon, then east to Te Kouma and north to Port Jackson at the northern end of the Coromandel Penninsula, then south to Whitianga, east to Great Mercury Island, before heading north again to to the wild coast of Great Barrier Island and Rakitu Island, 40nm NE of Auckland, before heading onto the isolated Mokohinau Islands for some great fishing.
Then we’ll sail south again toward Little Barrier Island and the next stop is Bon Accord Harbour at Kawau Island to visit Mansion House, the former home of New Zealand’s Governor. We’ll visit the large ship wreck still visible above sea level on the treacherous shores of Moturekareka Island before heading to Tiritiri Matangi island, home of the lighthouse at the northern end of Auckland’s shipping channel entrance and built out of large steel rings forged in London in 1864, then shipped to New Zealand for assembly on the island’s cliff top. After departing Tiri, we’ll go in search of the elusive Elephant Island, with a rocky bay so small there’s only room for 3-4 vessels. Our plan is to return to The Viaduct Harbour by 2pm on the 25th of May 2024 and you can plan to depart out of Auckland Airport (a 30 minute car ride from the marina) later the same day.
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals ashore in Auckland and various stopover ports, accommodation onboard, your crew shirt, marina fees, the use of a PFD (personal flotation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow and a towel are also included along with sun cream.
Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing, and wet weather gear.
It’s always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility in case of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules.
Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore on either side of the trip: Airbnb, Booking.com, Wotif and Vrbo (HomeAway).
On this expedition we will visit and explore up to 13 islands that include;
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Rangitoto Island
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Tiritiri Matangi Island
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Great Barrier Island
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Rakitu Island
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Slipper Island
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Great Mercury Island
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Waiheke Island
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Motuhie Island
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Kawau Island
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Elephant Island
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Motutapu Island
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Moturekareka Island
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Rotoroa Island
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Mokohinau Islands
Auckland Airport, New Zealand
Auckland Airport, New Zealand
Itinerary:
You can fly directly into Auckland on the 12th of May 2024 or early on the 13th. Our crew will officially assemble at 10am on the 13th of May at The Viaduct Harbour in Auckland and we will aim to depart as soon as we complete the yacht familiarisation and safety training process and head for our first of our island anchorages. You are welcome to stay onboard on the night of the 12th of May, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 12th , you will need to arrange accommodation ashore.
The goal is to circumnavigate the Hauraki Gulf, stopping at numerous scenic bays, anchorages and islands en-route, while managing around the weather to ensure a comfortable and safe expedition. This may include waiting for bad weather to pass while safely anchored or moored in a sheltered bay, inner sound, harbour or anchorage.
The coastlines you will encounter include some of the most stunning maritime scenery in New Zealand. The voyage starts with departing Auckland Harbour and sailing in an anti-clockwise direction to Rangitoto Island, Motuhie Island and Waiheke Island for a winery luncheon, then east to Te Kouma and north to Port Jackson at the northern end of the Coromandel Penninsula, then south to Whitianga, east to Great Mercury Island, before heading north again to to the wild coast of Great Barrier Island and Rakitu Island, 40nm NE of Auckland, before heading onto the isolated Mokohinau Islands for some great fishing.
Then we’ll sail south again toward Little Barrier Island and the next stop is Bon Accord Harbour at Kawau Island to visit Mansion House, the former home of New Zealand’s Governor. We’ll visit the large ship wreck still visible above sea level on the treacherous shores of Moturekareka Island before heading to Tiritiri Matangi island, home of the lighthouse at the northern end of Auckland’s shipping channel entrance and built out of large steel rings forged in London in 1864, then shipped to New Zealand for assembly on the island’s cliff top. After departing Tiri, we’ll go in search of the elusive Elephant Island, with a rocky bay so small there’s only room for 3-4 vessels. Our plan is to return to The Viaduct Harbour by 2pm on the 25th of May 2024 and you can plan to depart out of Auckland Airport (a 30 minute car ride from the marina) later the same day.
