12th November 2023 to 24th November 2023
Bay of Islands and Hauraki Gulf
From £3530 per person
Deposit 25%. Balance due 12 weeks before departure
A 2-week cruise from the Bay of Islands to Great Barrier Island and Auckland's Hauraki Gulf. Customise your journey with over 30 potential stopovers. Explore New Zealand's maritime paradise.
Suited to
Singles, Couples, Groups
Difficulty
Intermediate. Some sailing experience required
Nights onboard
12
Vessel type
Steel-hulled, 30-ton, ketch-rigged sailing vessel
Vessel length
70ft
Skipper
Yes
Berth Style
Single Bunk
Duration: 12 nights from 12 to 24 November 2023
From AUD$6750 / £3530
Explore the Bay of Islands and Hauraki Gulf during this 2-week cruise. Starting in the heart of the Bay of Islands and stretching east to Great Barrier Island and Great Mercury Island, the journey concludes in Auckland, known as the City of Sails. With over 30 potential stopovers, including iconic locations like the historic Bay of Islands, the secluded Whangamumu Harbour, the vibrant Tutukaka Harbour, and the captivating Great Mercury Island, you'll have the freedom to handpick your stopovers.
We adapt our route based on weather and the many activities on offer. Enjoy barbeques, fresh seafood, and roast dinners while taking in stunning sunsets. Experience the best of New Zealand's coastal beauty and maritime delights on this unforgettable voyage.
Why You’ll Love This Trip
- Explore a variety of breathtaking locations, including the historic Bay of Islands, secluded Whangamumu Harbour, vibrant Tutukaka Harbour, and captivating Great Mercury Islands.
- Immerse yourself in New Zealand's colonial past in Russell's historic waterfront and uncover the Maori heritage of Whangaroa Harbour.
- Experience world-class fishing opportunities in the renowned Bay of Islands, offering thrilling big-game fishing adventures.
- Create your ideal itinerary by selecting stopovers from a menu of over 30 options, ensuring each day is a new experience.
Who The Trip Is For
- This sailing expedition welcomes sailors of all skill levels, making it accessible to both seasoned sailors and those embarking on their first sailing adventure.
- For those seeking off-the-beaten-track experiences and the chance to see iconic New Zealand locations in a unique way, this journey offers the perfect blend of adventure and exploration.
- With over 30 potential stopovers and the freedom to customise your daytime activities, you can craft your own adventure, making it ideal for travellers of all types.
- Solo travellers of groups who want to experience the thrill of crewing a stylishly-appointed 72 ft steel-hulled cruising yacht.
Itinerary:
You can fly directly into KeriKeri Airport (a 30 minute car ride from Opua) in the Bay of Islands on the 12th of November 2023 to arrive at the Bay of Islands Marina before 17:00 in time to get settled onboard Te Kaihōpara and join the crew welcome dinner. We will aim to depart the next morning, 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, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 12th of November, you will need to arrange accommodation ashore.
Our plan is to sail into the The Viaduct Marina in Auckland by 14:00 on the 24th of November and you can plan to depart out of Auckland Airport (a 30-45 minute car ride) later the same day.
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals in Auckland and Opua, 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 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).
Here’s what you will experience on board
- 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 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 aboard.
- 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.
Bay of Islands Marina in Opua
The Viaduct Marina in Auckland
Itinerary:
You can fly directly into KeriKeri Airport (a 30 minute car ride from Opua) in the Bay of Islands on the 12th of November 2023 to arrive at the Bay of Islands Marina before 17:00 in time to get settled onboard Te Kaihōpara and join the crew welcome dinner. We will aim to depart the next morning, 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, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 12th of November, you will need to arrange accommodation ashore.
Our plan is to sail into the The Viaduct Marina in Auckland by 14:00 on the 24th of November and you can plan to depart out of Auckland Airport (a 30-45 minute car ride) later the same day.
