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Cruise Marlborough Sounds

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Cruise Marlborough Sounds

Exclusive Charter

Discover the stunning Marlborough Sounds

Join us on a private charter cruise aboard Heritage Explorer of this region which evokes interest and excitement for most of us.  

You’ll have the chance to journey through all three main Sounds – Queen Charlotte, Pelorus and Kenepuru – as well as d’Urville Island, French Pass and Tory Channel. Step ashore at the historic Ship Cove, where Captain James Cook anchored five times during his Pacific voyages, and walk in the footsteps of early 

explorers. Take the opportunity to walk part of the Queen Charlotte Track, visit a conservation island with abundant native birdlife, or make use of the complimentary kayaks and  fishing gear. Whether you’re  seeking activity or tranquillity, you’ll find it here. The Heritage Explorer is a purpose-built New Zealand craft offering genuine comfort. Relax in the spacious lounge and bar, retreat to your private cabin with ensuite facilities, and all meals, house drinks and shore excursions are included. There are 10 cabins aboard and a maximum group size of 18 people on this tour. 

Your travel itinerary

Thursday 26 November

Auckland – Blenheim - Havelock - Embark

Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

Depart on your Air New Zealand flight to Blenheim. On arrival head to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre to look around the rare collection of aircraft and have lunch before transferring to Havelock to board the Heritage Explorer. The captain and expedition team will be waiting to welcome you aboard and show you to your cabin. You will have the opportunity to familiarise yourself on board before setting sail in the afternoon. 

Friday 27 November

and Saturday 28 Pelorus Sound

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

Enjoy two full days exploring the waterways and islands of Pelorus Sound. Pelorus Sound is the largest in the Marlborough Sounds, its main channel winds some 55 picturesque kilometres from Cook Strait to Havelock. Today explore Nydia Bay and the more active will be able to enjoy the walking part of the Nydia Track. Carry on to Ngawhakawhiti Bay where it’s possible to get a glimpse of what the Sounds would have been like before the native forest was cleared.

Sunday 29 November

d’Urville Island

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

Today sail through the iconic French Pass with the fastest tidal flow in the country and follow the wake of French Explorer Dumont d’Urville and explore the island, ‘now predator free’, named in his honour. Dolphins and New Zealand Fur Seals are frequently seen in the waters that surround the island, it was here that Pelorus Jack who famously stole the nation’s heart, guided ships across the dangerous waters of Cook Strait between 1888 / 1912.

 

 

Monday 30 November

and Tuesday 01 December Queen Charlotte Sound

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

Spend two full days exploring the waterways and islands of Queen Charlotte Sound. Take the opportunity to head ashore and walk a section of the Queen Charlotte Track and search for birdlife on the predator free islands. Discover Tory Channel’s fascinating whaling heritage, then visit Ship Cove and Captain Cook’s memorial. At Blumine Island, encounter rare translocated bird species including the orange-fronted parakeet - New Zealand’s rarest parakeet. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner onboard tonight.

Wednesday 02 December

Disembark Picton - Blenheim - Auckland

Breakfast iconBreakfast

This morning arrive in Picton, after a final breakfast and farewells, transfer to Blenheim airport for the return flight to Auckland or your alternative destination.

During our voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include poor weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed.

Inclusions

  • Return flights from Auckland to Blenheim (Other centres on request)
  • Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and lunch
  • Landing fees 
  • Pre/post cruise transfers 
  • Six nights on board Heritage Explorer in a state room of your choice. 
  • All meals and house drinks onboard
  • All expedition shore excursions.
  • Kayaks and Fishing equipment 
  • Pukekohe Travel escort subject to 16 passengers travelling 

Cost

Cost Per Person *
Auckland - Auckland		Twin ShareSingle 
 Royal Suite

$8,267

   N/A
 Salvin’s Stateroom 

$7,155

$12,325
 Buller’s Stateroom

$6,099

  On application
 Wandering Stateroom   N/

$8,025

*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment

Exclusions

  • Travel Insurance
  • Items of a personal nature

Booking Conditions

  • A non-refundable deposit of $1000 per person is required to secure your place on the tour.
  • Full payment is due 04 Setember 2026
  • Bookings made after 04 Setember 2026 – full payment at time of booking

Cancellations

  • Deposit – non-refundable
  • Full payment – non-refundable

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend all clients purchase travel insurance to protect against cancellations, lost items, and delays that could lead to unexpected costs. Please ask us for a quote.

General Information

  • Please note there is limited cell phone coverage during the cruise
  • It is recommended that you bring good walking shoes which are ideal for stomping around the beaches and bush.

Health and Fitness

To ensure the tour is enjoyable for you and others in the group, a reasonable standard of fitness and mobility is required. Mobility frames and wheelchairs are not practical or permitted. It is expected you will arrive on tour fit, healthy and ready to travel. 

Ship Information

The ‘Heritage Explorer’

The state-of-the-art technology provides a comfortable expedition ship with high performance dual Scania 653 horsepower engines capable of 10 knots, bow thrusters, fin stabilisers, full air-conditioning, sound attenuated twin generators and a hydraulic aft ramp, while a comprehensive navigation package ensures the ultimate Kiwi adventure awaits all guests.

  • Vessel Type: Expedition Yacht
  • Expedition Staff & Crew: 5
  • Guests: 18
  • Cabins: 10
  • Length: 30m
  • Breadth: 7.8m
  • Draft: 1.93m
  • Gross Tonnage: 76.1gt
  • Engine: 653 horsepower
  • Cruising Speed: 10 knots
  • Tenders: 2

Terms and Conditions

For full terms and conditions please visit our website Terms and Conditions or please ask our tour consultant for a copy.


Note: Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change

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