Various dates available
Great Barrier & Great Mercury Islands Expedition
From £2800 per person
Deposit 25%. Balance due 12 weeks before departure
Explore one of the world's greatest natural wonders
Duration: 9 nights from 27 December 2023 to 05 January 2024 and 28 December 2024 - 6 January 2025
From AUD$5,250 / £2,800 per person
This voyage is not just a sailing adventure but also a unique New Year's Eve celebration in the serene Hauraki Gulf. Sail past Little Barrier Island and explore numerous anchorage stops while circumnavigating the Great Barrier and Great Mercury Islands.
These remote islands offer rugged landscapes, and abundant sea and birdlife, making them an ideal escape for a year-end celebration. Great Barrier Island, known for its stunning beaches and Dark Sky Sanctuary status, offers exceptional stargazing, while Little Barrier Island is a wildlife sanctuary home to rare species like tuatara and kaka parrots. Along the way, we will also visit the fishing paradise of Port Fitzroy, as well as The Cove and Tryphena with their serene anchorages, beautiful beaches, and Kaitoke Hot Springs. Our farthest stop, Great Mercury Island, boasts white sandy beaches and Maori pa sites for history enthusiasts.
With over 30 potential stopovers, this 300-nautical-mile journey promises activities like exploring ashore, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. Enjoy barbecues, fresh seafood, and roast dinners while watching breathtaking sunsets in idyllic anchorages, concluding with a majestic sail into Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.
Why You’ll Love This Trip
- Embark on an exploration of secluded wonders such as Great Barrier Island, Little Barrier Island, and Great Mercury Island, each showcasing distinct natural beauty and untouched landscapes.
- Welcome the New Year while anchored in the serene Hauraki Gulf, an unforgettable start to the year in a highly coveted spot.
- Dive into a range of aquatic activities, including snorkelling, swimming in pristine waters, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing.
- Immerse yourself in the unspoiled splendour of these remote islands, teeming with vibrant marine and birdlife, offering a complete escape from the hustle and bustle.
- Enjoy mouthwatering barbecues, fresh seafood, and hearty roast dinners while basking in the beauty of stunning sunsets at picturesque anchorages each evening.
Who The Trip Is For
- Whether you're an experienced sailor or a novice, this voyage aboard the 72 ft steel-hulled Te Kaihōpara, promises an unforgettable adventure through New Zealand's islands.
- Immerse yourself in the wonders of the natural world, from remote landscapes to wildlife encounters and stargazing under pristine night skies.
- Craft your own daytime experiences, whether it's hiking along rugged shores, snorkelling among vibrant marine life, or simply basking in the sun.
Itinerary:
You can fly directly into Auckland on the 1st day of the itinerary or early on the 2nd day. Our crew will officially assemble at 10:00 on the 2nd day of the itinerary 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 1st day of the itinerary, but if you plan to arrive prior to that, you will need to arrange accommodation ashore.
Our plan is to return to The Viaduct Harbour by 14:00 on the last day of the itinerary 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 in Auckland and at all island stopovers, accommodation onboard, marina fees, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow and a towel are also included along with suncream.
Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear.
Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility incase of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: Airbnb, Booking.com, Wotif and Vrbo (HomeAway).
Here’s what you will experience onboard
- Hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, spinnakers, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather).
- Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking the weather and monitoring AIS and radar for both traffic and rain squalls.
- Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating the best route to the destination.
- Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
- Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.
- Familiarisation with all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.
- Training in the use of PDFs (Personal Flotation Devices), PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoys, storm drogue, liferaft and any other equipment required to ensure you remain safe in all conditions.
- Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well-being board.
- Planning our arrival and route to safe harbour including timing with daylight (if required), weather factors, navigational hazards, communications/customs and sail/motor arrival plan.
Auckland Airport, New Zealand
Auckland Airport, New Zealand
Itinerary:
You can fly directly into Auckland on the 1st day of the itinerary or early on the 2nd day. Our crew will officially assemble at 10:00 on the 2nd day of the itinerary 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 1st day of the itinerary, but if you plan to arrive prior to that, you will need to arrange accommodation ashore.
Our plan is to return to The Viaduct Harbour by 14:00 on the last day of the itinerary and you can plan to depart out of Auckland Airport (a 30-minute car ride from the marina) later the same day.
