auckland to milford sound, New Zealand / 1,000nm / 18 - 28 Jan 2024

10 days / cat 1 ocean passage / Event #2401 / TE KAIHŌPARA: CREW FULL WAITLIST ONLY

The Category 1 - 1,000nm passage from Auckland to Milford Sound, New Zealand is a scenic coastal passage followed by an epic ocean passage.

Starting at the The Viaduct Marina in Auckland’s City of Sails, we’ll head north and clear Tiritiri Matangi before setting a course for Cape Brett, the gateway to the Bay of Islands. After a stopover at Opua, we’ll then continue NW to the 3 capes; North Cape, Cape Reinga and Cape Maria Van Diemen, before setting a southerly course for Milford Sound.

If we have time up our sleeve on arrival in Milford Sound, we’ll spend it in the fiord before we tie up at the Milford Wharf.

Secure your place on the crew with a 20% deposit.

SHARED CABIN: AUD$4,750 (PER BERTH)
PRIVATE CABIN: AUD$12,825 (INCLUDES 3 BERTHS)

10 days

Join crew

The 1,000nm route from Auckland to Opua to Milford Sound

The weather New Zealand’s coast is changeable and we are set to experience a variety of conditions and sea states. There are a number of safe ports and harbours on the passage, and we’ll make an overnight stop en-route and venture ashore to enjoy and explore the Bay of Islands. This passage is a great opportunity to build sea miles, confidence and experience prior your first Category 1 offshore passage and an opportunity to sail a unique part of New Zealand’s coastline and the Tasman Sea.

ADDITIONAL MEDIA

Check out photo gallery highlights from ocean passages.

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 weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls.
Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to destination.
Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
Routine checks of bilges, engine, electrical systems, sails and hardware for preventative maintenance.
Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.

Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.

Training in the use of PDF’s (Personal Flotation Devices), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoy’s, 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.
Multi-day, offshore passage making 24/7 on a significant Category 1 offshore passage.

Itinery

You can fly directly into Auckland on the 18th of January 2024 in time to join the crew at The Viaduct Harbour for a welcome dinner. Our crew will then assemble on the 19th of January and aim to depart as soon as we complete the yacht familiarisation and safety training process. You are welcome to stay onboard from the night of the 18th of January onwards, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 18th, you will need to arrange accommodation ashore.

Our plan is to arrive at the Milford Sound Wharf by 4pm on the 27th of January 2024 and you can plan to depart out of Milford Sound by bus or by plane on the 28th.

Inclusions

Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals ashore in Auckland, Milford Sound and at stopovers enroute, accommodation onboard, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina fees, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow and towel are also included along with suncream.

Exclusions

Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. You will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent at least 1 month prior.

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 & HomeAway.