10 Day charter itinerary – New Zealand
Discover the subtropical Northland region of New Zealand – An exceedingly versatile destination.
DAY ONE – Wonders Of Whangaroa (Total. cruising time approx. 0.5 hours)
Join the yacht in Whangaroa Harbour, just 30 minutes by road from the local airport in New Zealand Kerikeri with its rugged cliffs and spectacular scenery is a stunning introduction to New Zealand. You might choose to spend a couple of nights, in advance of the charter, in the nearby Kauri Cliffs Luxury Lodge, unwinding in its spa or getting in a few rounds on its golf course. You have a number of options in Whangaroa – cover some distance on Ninety Mile Beach (which is actually only 55 miles long) or trek into Waipoua Kauri Forest to marvel at the 13 metre girth of Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest), the largest known Kauri Tree in the world, and spectacularly ancient too at an estimated 2,000 years old.
Or you could take to the air in a helicopter and follow the coastline up to Cape Reinga, at the very top of North Island, where the Pacific meets the Tasman at Columbia Bank, and waves can be over 10 meters high. Back on board, cruise to Pekapeka Bay, where the yacht will anchor overnight.
DAY TWO – Roberton Island, Bay of Islands via The Cavallis (Total. cruising time approx. 3 hours)
Head to the Bay of Islands via the protected Cavalli Islands, which are rich with birdlife. Here, too, you can take a dive down to the Rainbow Warrior, Greenpeace’s flagship, which having been sunk by saboteurs in Auckland Harbour in 1985 was relocated here as a refuge for the marine life she was trying to protect. Then continue on to the Bay of Islands, one of New Zealand’s best maritime parks. Take your pick from the 144 islands in the area, some of which are relatively unexplored, and have cameras at the ready to capture some of the abundant wildlife from blue penguins and gannets to manta rays and killer whales.
For divers, there are over 100 dive sites – rated by Jacques Cousteau as some of the best scuba dives in the world – with corals, rocky coastlines and wrecks to explore. For sportfishermen, it doesn’t get much better than this – time to meet your match in waters teeming with marlin, kingfish, snapper and more. Anchor off the south side of Roberton Island – a simply stunning bay to spend the night with a local dolphin sideshow if you are lucky.
DAY THREE – Exploring the Bay Of Islands (Total. cruising time approx. 0.5 hours)
Take some time to enjoy the Bay of Islands, starting with a visit to Russell, the first capital of New Zealand, and in its time a lawless and bawdy whaling port known as the Hellhole of the Pacific. It is a far cry from the quaint, charming town you’ll find today with a relaxed pace and pleasant atmosphere. Spend some time in the day spa at the luxurious Flagstaff Lodge, housed in one of the town’s historic buildings. Then hop in the tender to explore Waitangi, the site of the signing of the country’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, in 1840.
Alternatively spend the day exploring the area by sea, with a multitude of anchorages to choose from. Head to Cape Brett and back the yacht right up to the Hole in the Rock on the southern side of Piercy Island. This should only be attempted in flat, calm conditions but makes for some great photo opportunities when possible!
DAY FOUR – Diving at Poor Knights Marine Reserve (Total. cruising time approx. 4 hours)
A day for divers to discover why Jacques Cousteau declared this one of the 10 best dive sites in the world. Head for the Poor Knights Marine Reserve, 35 miles south-east of Cape Brett, which encompasses an ocean of diving compressed into a relatively small area with caves, arches, tunnels and sheer cliffs, sponge gardens and gorgonian fields inhabited by a myriad of fish, shellfish, urchins and anemones, and black coral in deeper waters. Those who prefer wreck diving should head for two former Navy ships sunk for diving just outside Tutukaka — renowned as one of the best shipwreck dives in the world. Boats up to 45 metres can navigate within this area and are permitted to anchor; local dive guides can meet you on site. Anchoring overnight here, however, is not recommended due to the lack of shelter. For non-divers there are some fantastic walks and bike rides ashore along the Tutukaka coast or you can explore the coastline by kayak. Whale Bay is a stunning overnight anchorage.
If you are interested in the remaining 6 days of the entire itinerary please contact us at info@oceanalliance.com.au.