Stewart Island / Rakiura New Zealand Cruise

It is recommended to stay in Invercargill or Bluff the night before and after the charter. The ferry will take you from Bluff to Oban where you will board the Fiordland Jewel in Halfmoon Bay, Oban late morning, and then return 7 days later to Halfmoon Bay, Oban. Explore Paterson Inlet/Whaka a Te Wera, a 8,900-hectare inlet with 188 kilometres of coastline, formed by post-glaciation flooding 12,000 to 16,000 years ago. The Rakeahua River flows into its South West Arm and the Freshwater River near North Arm. Please note: There are variations are subject to the weather. This is a sample itinerary of a Stewart Island expedition.Plan A is to travel the distance around Stewart Island - approx. 130 to 160 kms. Plan B is to do as much as we can given the Skipper’s judgement and weather conditions whilst you are on board. In addition to below there is also lots of cruising, fishing and kayaking or walking where time allows

Spend the morning exploring the largest island in Paterson Inlet/Whaka a Te Wera the Ulva Island bird sanctuary. In the afternoon visit the historic Norwegian whaling station in Prices Inlet and/or kayak Kaipipi Bay. Cruise to Port Adventure, a bay 10 kilometres south along the coast from The Neck the long peninsula at the mouth of Paterson Inlet, popular for fishing, diving and hunting. It was the site of a settlement of 36 Maori who arrived from The Neck in 1843.

Port Adventure to Port Pegasus. Cruise along the coast which is largely rocky with occasional beaches. South of Lords River/Tutaekawetoweto it is exposed and mostly cliffs. Subsidence has created drowned river valleys such as Tikotatahi Bay, Tutaepawhati Bay and Big Kurii Bay. On arrival in Port Pegasus there may be time for kayaking and/or a short walk before dinner.

Port Pegasus/Pikihatiti. Explore this large sheltered harbour on the south-east coast. Its inlets, coves and bays cover some 40 square kilometres, with many safe and sheltered anchorages. Four major passages provide access to the sea. The passages in turn open out into two main arms – North Arm and South Arm.It was first charted by William Stewart in 1809. A colonisation enterprise in the 1820s was not successful. Activities around Port Pegasus can include walks and kayaking.

Commence the journey back to Oban along the west or east coast.

Depart the Fiordland Jewel early morning in Oban, and catch the ferry back to Bluff. This cruise around Stewart Island, may include (weather permitting) activities such as: Kayaking Tender boat excursions Walking Launching the ROV to view underwater marine life Some fishing Bluff Oyster dredging

Itineraries are subject to change.