South Island circumnavigation
21 Nights | 1,500nm | join the crew | from NZD$11,750
Circumnavigation, an anti-clockwise voyage around New Zealand’s remote and spectacular South Island. This Category 1, offshore sailing expedition follows in the wake of Captain James Cook’s legendary explorations, taking you through some of the wildest, most beautiful, and least accessible waters in the Southern Hemisphere.
Departing from Picton, we head south down the rugged east coast, rounding the Otago Peninsula and continuing into the deep south, where raw Southern Ocean swells and exposed headlands demand careful navigation and respect for the elements. The voyage takes us into the heart of Fiordland, where steep, glacier-carved valleys plunge into deep, sheltered waters. Weather permitting, we’ll stop in a number of fiords, offering the chance to experience this untouched wilderness, rich in birdlife, cascading waterfalls, and towering cliffs.
From Fiordland, we round the wild southwest capes and head north up the often-temperamental West Coast. This leg offers long offshore stretches, stark mountain backdrops, and the chance to witness rare wildlife including seabirds, seals, and dolphins. Eventually, we re-enter Cook Strait and complete the circle back to Picton, having seen every face of the South Island—dramatic, isolated, and breathtaking.
With a flexible itinerary shaped by weather and safety, this voyage is not for the faint-hearted. It requires preparation, offshore experience, and a spirit of adventure. But for those up to the challenge, it offers a truly unforgettable way to experience the power, history, and majesty of Aotearoa’s southern shores.