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New Zealand’s Southern Islands Expedition Expedition Cruising

Bluff, South Island, New Zealand
  • Event date: 13/02/2024
  • Event end: 06/03/2024
  • When: JAN-MAR
  • Duration: 3 weeks

New Zealand’s Southern Islands Expedition / 1,740nm / 21 Days / CAT 1 Ocean Expedition

The Southern Ocean and the Tasman Sea are two of the most revered oceans on the planet. This unique passage will be dictated by weather, with us departing Bluff to cross the Foveaux Strait to Stewart Island and then south and then east to the Auckland Islands, Campbell Island, the Antipodes Islands, Depot Island and the Chatham Islands, before sailing to our final destination in Picton, in the Marlborough Sounds at the top of New Zealand’s South Island.

David has crossed the Tasman Sea nine times (two solos) and circumnavigated Tasmania on Ocean Gem which takes in the Southern Ocean as well. The keys to success include waiting for the weather window, downloading live weather en-route and sailing a vessel thats easy to mode for all wind and swell conditions. Despite its reputation for extreme conditions, the Tasman Sea and the Southern Ocean are easy to navigate safely if you stay clear of the winter storm season (late May to August) and wait for safe weather windows between legs.

This is an absolute bucket-list expedition and a hugely satisfying personal achievement. The sea life, remote island wild life, milky way, phosphorescence and tranquility of crossing an ocean and seeing no other vessels for the bulk of the voyage, really make this a special sailing experience.

Southern Island Expedition
Difficulty Level:
Tough
Price:

12500 AUD $

New Zealand’s Southern Islands Expedition / 1,740 Nm / 13 Feb – 6 Mar 2024 / Cat 1 Expedition

You can fly directly into Invercargill on or before the 13th February 2024 and you will join us for a crew dinner ashore. Our crew will officially assemble on the 14th of February onwards and we’ll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment.

We will aim to depart (subject to weather) on the 15th of February when we will leave Bluff, and depart for Stewart Island. From there our course south will be dictated by weather, with the goal of anchoring or sailing past the Auckland Islands, Campbell Island, the Antipodes Islands, Depot Island and the Chatham Islands.

You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive but if you plan to arrive prior to the 13th of February, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore. You can stay on board when we arrive in Picton and depart out of Blenheim Airport (a 35-minute drive from Picton) on or after the 7th of March 2024.

Plan your New Zealand travel at the official site of Tourism New Zealand

New Zealand Tourism

Heres 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
  • Routine checks of bilges, engine, electrical systems, sails and hardware for preventative maintenance
  • 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
  • Multi-day, offshore passage making 24/7 on a significant Category 1 offshore passage.

Read the blog articles published by Lena Padukova after her 2019 Trans-Tasman on Ocean Gem.

Your crew package includes:

  • all meals onboard
  • crew meals ashore in Bluff and Picton and any stopover ports
  • accommodation onboard
  • your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt
  • marina fees
  • the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether
  • your bedding, a pillow and towel is also included along with suncream.

Your crew package excludes:

  • accommodation ashore
  • flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports and visas
  • alcohol
  • toiletries
  • clothing and wet weather gear
  • you will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent Category 1 Course at least one month prior.

It’s always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility in case of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNBBooking.comWotif & HomeAway.

Boats
Program

New Zealand’s Southern Islands Expedition / 1,740 Nm / 13 Feb – 6 Mar 2024 / Cat 1 Expedition

You can fly directly into Invercargill on or before the 13th February 2024 and you will join us for a crew dinner ashore. Our crew will officially assemble on the 14th of February onwards and we’ll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment.

We will aim to depart (subject to weather) on the 15th of February when we will leave Bluff, and depart for Stewart Island. From there our course south will be dictated by weather, with the goal of anchoring or sailing past the Auckland Islands, Campbell Island, the Antipodes Islands, Depot Island and the Chatham Islands.

You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive but if you plan to arrive prior to the 13th of February, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore. You can stay on board when we arrive in Picton and depart out of Blenheim Airport (a 35-minute drive from Picton) on or after the 7th of March 2024.

Tips

Plan your New Zealand travel at the official site of Tourism New Zealand

New Zealand Tourism

Heres 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
  • Routine checks of bilges, engine, electrical systems, sails and hardware for preventative maintenance
  • 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
  • Multi-day, offshore passage making 24/7 on a significant Category 1 offshore passage.

Read the blog articles published by Lena Padukova after her 2019 Trans-Tasman on Ocean Gem.

Inclusions

Your crew package includes:

  • all meals onboard
  • crew meals ashore in Bluff and Picton and any stopover ports
  • accommodation onboard
  • your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt
  • marina fees
  • the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether
  • your bedding, a pillow and towel is also included along with suncream.
Exclusions

Your crew package excludes:

  • accommodation ashore
  • flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports and visas
  • alcohol
  • toiletries
  • clothing and wet weather gear
  • you will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent Category 1 Course at least one month prior.

It’s always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility in case of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNBBooking.comWotif & HomeAway.

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