Limited Spaces Available
Escorted Tour

Cruise Marlborough Sounds

Exclusive Charter

Marlborough Sounds evokes excitement and interest for most of us.

Join us on this private charter where we will extensively explore the region including many shore excursions. We visit all three of the main Sounds - Queen Charlotte, Pelorus and Kenepuru along with d’Urville Island, French Pass and the Tory Channel. You will get to go ashore and visit historical Ships Cove. Captain James Cook visited this spot five times on his voyages to this part of the world.

The opportunity to walk part of the Queen Charlotte Walkaway is available and then of course we will visit a conservation island with its prolific birdlife. Kayak and fishing equipment are available onboard. The Heritage Explorer was built in New Zealand. The vessel is very comfortable with a spacious lounge and bar area. Every cabin has private facilities. All meals, house drinks and shore excursions are included.

There are 10 cabins and maximum group size is 18.

Your travel itinerary

Thursday 27 November

Auckland – Blenheim - Picton - Embark

Lunch Dinner

Depart on an Air New Zealand flight. On arrival we head to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre to look around the rare collection of aircraft and have lunch before transferring to Picton to board the Heritage Explorer. The captain and expedition team will be waiting to welcome you aboard and show you to your cabin. You will have the opportunity to familiarise yourself on board. This afternoon we set sail along Queen Charlotte Sounds.

Friday 28 November

& Saturday 29 Queen Charlotte Sound

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Two full days exploring the waterways and islands of Queen Charlotte Sound. Opportunities to head ashore, walk a section of the Queen Charlotte Walkway, search for birdlife on the predator free islands. A visit to Tory Channel, brings its whaling history to life; Ships Cove and Captain Cook’s memorial, Blumine Island where the translocation of several rare bird specie includes the once widespread Orange fronted Parakeet, now New Zealand’s rarest parakeet.

Sunday 30 November

d’Urville Island

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

We sail through the iconic French Pass with the fastest tidal flow in the country and follow the wake of French Explorer Dumont d’Urville. Then explore the island ‘now predator free’ named in his honour. Dolphins and New Zealand Fur Seals are frequently seen in the waters that surround the island, it was here that Pelorus Jack who famously stole the nation’s heart, guided ships across the dangerous waters of Cook Strait between 1888 / 1912.

Monday 01 December

& Tuesday 02 Pelorus Sound

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Pelorus Sound is the largest in the Marlborough Sounds its main channel winds some 55 picturesque kilometres from Cook Strait to Havelock. Today we will explore Nydia Bay and the more active will be able to enjoy the walking part of the Nydia Track. We then head to Ngawhakawhiti Bay where it’s possible to get a glimpse of what the Sounds would have been like before the native forest was cleared. On the final night we will enjoy a farewell dinner.

Wednesday 03 December

Disembark Havelock- Blenheim - Auckland

Breakfast

This morning we arrive at Havelock, after a final breakfast and farewells, a transfer takes you to Blenheim airport for the return flight to Auckland or your alternative destination.

During our voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include poor weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed.

Inclusions

Return flights from Auckland to Blenheim (Other centres on request)
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and lunch
Landing fees
Pre/post cruise transfers
6 nights onboard Heritage Explorer in a state room of your choice.
All meals and house drinks onboard
All expedition shore excursions.
Kayaks and Fishing equipment
Pukekohe Travel escort subject to 16 passengers travelling

Cost

Cost Per Person * Auckland - Auckland	Twin Share	Single
Royal Suite	$7,992	N/A
Salvin’s Stateroom	$6,997	$11,999
Buller’s Stateroom	$5,950	On application
Wandering Stateroom	N/A	$7,875

*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment

Exclusions

Travel Insurance
Items of a personal nature

Booking Conditions

A non-refundable deposit of $1000 per person is required to secure your place on the tour.
Full payment is due 08 August 2025
Bookings made after 08 August 2025 – full payment at time of booking

Cancellations

Deposit – non-refundable
Full payment – non-refundable

Travel Insurance

We strongly advise all participants take out suitable travel Insurance to cover cancellation costs.Please ask for a quote.

General Information

Health and Fitness

A good standard of health and fitness is required and clients should be independently mobile with the ability to walk unaided on uneven surfaces and negotiate stairs.
Please arrive healthy , fit and ready to travel.

Ship Information

The ‘Heritage Explorer’

The state-of-the-art technology provides a comfortable expedition ship with high performance dual Scania 653 horsepower engines capable of 10 knots, bow thrusters, fin stabilisers, full air-conditioning, sound attenuated twin generators and a hydraulic aft ramp, while a comprehensive navigation package ensures the ultimate Kiwi adventure awaits all guests.

Vessel Type: Expedition Yacht
Expedition Staff & Crew: 5
Guests: 18
Cabins: 10
Length: 30m
Breadth: 7.8m
Draft: 1.93m
Gross Tonnage: 76.1gt
Engine: 653 horsepower
Cruising Speed: 10 knots
Tenders: 2

Terms and Conditions

For full terms and conditions please visit our website Terms and Conditions or please ask our tour consultant for a copy.

Note: Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change