Captain Cooks North Island, New Zealand Circumnavigation / 1,245nm / 25 feb - 11 mar 2023
15 days / cat 1 expedition / salt lines: last CREW POSITION AVAILABLE
The Captain Cook North Island Circumnavigation is a Category 1 - 1,245nm circumnavigation of New Zealand’s North Island and one of the most extreme challenges we undertake.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to retrace the steps of Captain James Cooks North Island voyage and complete one of the world’s more adventurous and spectacular ocean passage experiences.
It is not for the fainthearted it will depend on extensive preparation and considerable perseverance and the weather conditions we are dealt en-passage.
The route and recommended anchorages are based on careful research, professional meteorological advice and leveraging detailed local sailing knowledge. We will stop in a handful of spectacular anchorages along the way and take in the dramatic scenery and enjoy the isolated serenity.
Captains James Cooks voyage around New Zealand
The 1,245nm North Island circumnavigation includes multiple islands and harbours as stopover options
AUD$7,750
15 days
Itinery
You can fly directly into Blenheim on or before the 25th of February 2023. When you arrive we'll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment and you will join us for a crew welcome dinner. Our crew will officially assemble from the 26th onwards at the Picton Marina and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) on the 26th of February 2023 and leave the Picton Marina, sail out of the Marlborough Sounds and heading NW for Wellington, where we may stop before turning NE for Napier on the North Islands SE coast. You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive but if you plan to arrive prior to the 25th of February, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore.
The goal is to circumnavigate the North Island, stopping at a handful of scenic locations 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, behind an island, in a harbour or anchorage.
The North Island coastline includes some of the most stunning maritime scenery in New Zealand. The voyage starts with departing Picton and sailing out through the Tory Channel, across the Cook Strait to Wellington, before turning east to pass Cape Palliser and sail up the east coast to a explore a handful of anchorage opportunities en-route to Cape Reinga that may include, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga, Coromandel, Kawau Island, Great Mercury Island, Great Barrier Island, Tutukaka, Bay of Islands and Whangaroa Harbour.
On the more rugged west coast the only safe anchorage is New Plymouth. The final leg will be sailing from New Plymouth to Picton via the Tory Channel at the eastern entrance to the Marlborough Sounds. We will aim to sail back into Picton Marina on the 10th of March 2023. You can stay onboard when we arrive in Picton depart out of Blenheim airport to connecting flights from Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland airport's from the 11th March onwards.
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals in Picton and various stopover ports, 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, meals ashore after departure, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. You will need to complete either a 5-hour online or 2-day classroom based Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent prior to departure.
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.
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