Marlborough Sounds & Abel Tasman, New Zealand / 300nm / 22 Feb - 4 Mar 2024

12 days / cat 3 expedition cruise / Event #2450 / Te Kaihōpara: CREW POSITIONs AVAILABLE

The Category 3 cruise is set in the Marlborough Sounds, D’Urville Island and Abel Tasman cruising grounds and spans the top of the South Island, providing fun sun-filled days of exploration and adventure. It starts in the waterfront port of Picton, where we will depart from the Picton Marina and head out into the Queen Charlotte Sound for our first overnight stop.

We’ll assess the weather forecast as a crew and create an expedition plan that includes selecting from anchorage options across the Queen Charlotte Sound, Tory Channel, Pelorus Sound, Kenepuru Sound, D’Urville Island and Golden Bay. We’ll explore a selection of bays, sounds and islands during the 13 days, while providing for ample time to enjoy water and shore based activities.

This 300nm adventure includes 100+ stopovers to choose from and there’ll be new anchorages to discover every night. We‘ll review the weather each day and plan a unique route, that will include an expansive taste, of what the Marlborough Sounds has to offer. We’ll enjoy barbeques, fresh seafood, and roast dinners and relax and take in the sunset, in idyllic anchorages each night.

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

Join crew

Shared cabin: AUD$8,250 (per berth)
Private cabin: AUD$22,275 (includes 3 berths)

12 days

There are 100+ potential anchorages and stopovers of the Marlborough Sounds & Golden Bay

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 Blenheim or Picton on the 22nd of February 2024. Our crew will officially assemble by 5pm on the 22nd at the Picton Marina and we will aim to depart on the 23rd as soon as we complete the yacht familiarisation and safety training process and head for our first of our overnight anchorages. You are welcome to stay onboard on the night of the 22nd of February, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 22nd , you will need to arrange accommodation ashore.

Our plan is to return to Picton Marina by 2pm on the 4th of March 2024 and you can plan to depart out of the Picton Ferry Terminal / Picton Airport or Blenheim Airport (a 35 minute car ride from the marina) later the same day.

Inclusions

Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals in Picton, 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.

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.