Captain Cook’s South Island, New Zealand Circumnavigation / 1,140nm / 20 mar - 6 apr 2024
16 days / cat 1 expedition / Event #2408 / SILVER FERN & SALT LINES: CREW full waitlist only
The Captain Cook South Island Circumnavigation is a Category 1 - 1,140nm circumnavigation of New Zealand’s South 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 Cook’s South 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.
Secure your place on the crew with a 20% deposit.
Captains James Cooks voyage around New Zealand
AUD$8,750
17 days
The 1,140nm South Island circumnavigation includes multiple sounds and harbours as stopover options
Itinery
You can fly directly into Blenheim on or before the 20th of March 2024. 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 21st onwards in the Picton Marina and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) on the 21st of March 2024 and leave the Picton Marina, sail out of the Marlborough Sounds and head for the West Coast before turning south for Stewart Island. You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive but if you plan to arrive prior to 20th of March, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore.
The goal is to circumnavigate the South 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, inner sound, harbour or anchorage.
The South Island coastline includes some of the most extreme maritime scenery in New Zealand. The voyage starts with departing Picton and sailing out through the Queen Charlotte Sound, before turning west to pass Farewell Spit, before sailing down the west coast to a explore number of anchorage opportunities in one of the many inner sounds of the lower west coast. Although Milford Sound is the most well known, there are numerous opportunities to explore some of the lesser known sounds such as George Sound, Thompson Sound, Dusky Sound and Doubtful Sound.
On the south and east coast there are a variety of locations such as Bluff, Stewart Island, Port Chalmers, Timaru and Lyttelton Harbour that are potential ports of call. The final leg will be sailing from Lyttelton 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 6th of April 2024. You can stay onboard when we arrive in Picton and depart out of the Picton Ferry Terminal or Blenheim airport to connecting flights from Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland airport's on 7th April 2024.
The numerous sounds on the lower west coast of the South Island
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, 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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