Great barrier & Great Mercury Islands Expedition, New Zealand / 250nm / 27 dec 2023 - 5 jan 2024

10 days / cat 3 expedition / Event #2324 / Te Kaihōpara: CREW full waitlist only

The Category 3 expedition departs The Viaduct Marina in Auckland’s City of Sails to head to “The Barrier” for a combined sailing expedition and New Years Eve celebration. What better way to bring in the first day of 2024, than anchored in one of the most coveted spots in the Hauraki Gulf?

This adventure includes sailing past Little Barrier Island and enjoying multiple anchorage stops while circumnavigating the Great Barrier and Great Mercury Islands. We’ll venture ashore to enjoy the white sand beaches, hiking tracks, natural hot springs, a canyon walk and the natural island scenery.

These remoter islands of the Hauraki Gulf are rugged, rich with sea and bird life and a great way to get out of the city and off the beaten track for end of 2023 celebration and recharge. This 250nm adventure includes stopovers we can select from more than 30 options and there’ll be new anchorages to discover every day.

We will plan cruising stopovers at locations that take advantage of the prevailing weather and activities on offer. We’ll enjoy barbeques, fresh seafood, roast dinners and relax to take in the sunset in idyllic anchorages each night. We’ll complete the the cruise by sailing into the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland

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

Join crew

Shared cabin: AUD$5,250 (per berth)
Private cabins: Fully booked

10 days

Black friday: TAKE $1,000 OFF, PAY $4,250

The islands of this expedition offer multiple anchorage and exploring opportunities

Activities included

Exploring ashore
Snorkeling
Swimming

Kayaking
Stand-up paddle boarding
Fishing

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.
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.

Itinery

You can fly directly into Auckland on the 26th of December 2023 or early on the 27th. Our crew will officially assemble at 10am on the 27th of December at The Viaduct Harbour in Auckland and we will aim to depart 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 26th of December, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 26th , you will need to arrange accommodation ashore.

Our plan is to return to The Viaduct Harbour by 2pm on the 5th of January 2024 and you can plan to depart out of Auckland Airport (a 30 minute car ride from the marina) later the same day.

Exclusions

Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear.

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.

Inclusions

Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals in Auckland and at all island stopovers, 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 towel are also included along with suncream.