Sailing/diving upper North Island

Day 1
Arriving in Auckland we meet at the airport and head into the city. After a waterfront lunch we board our sailing yacht for the 5 hour trip out of the beautiful Hauraki basin to the southern most point of Waiheke Island at Man of War Bay. On the way we stop to climb Rangitoto Island – an extinct volcano and now bird sanctuary with amazing views of Auckland harbour.

If time allows we have the option of a quick fishing trip to make the most of the Hauraki Gulf’s Snapper breeding ground.

At Waiheke we’ll moor the yacht on a private mooring at a private beach and go ashore in time to have a spa or freshen up for dinner cooked by our chefs. We spend the night in an exclusive and isolated late 19th century colonial villa which has been lovingly restored and overlooks the Coromandel peninsula.

Day 2
Our chefs start the day with a 5 star breakfast before we re-board the yacht and head for the site of our first dives – D’Urville Rocks (good weather cave dive) and The Noises, fishing enroute.

We enjoy lunch at Tiritiri Matangi Island, NZ's most exuberant bird reserve before sailing onto Bon Accord Harbour on Kawau island.

Day 3
We swap our yacht for a powerboat to Goat Island marine reserve via Governor Greys Bay, where we dive the caves of this aquatic reserve.

After our dive we take a low-level scenic helicopter flight to our overnight base at beautiful Tutukaka.

Day 4
Our day starts early as we head for the Poor Knights Marine Reserve for all-day diving. Described as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, this diving paradise offers exceptional and unique diving for divers of all levels. Our local guides take us to the best spots.

Day 5
Today can be either a relax day or a chance to do extra dives – possibly even a wreck dive. Nearby HMNZS Tui is an ex-naval vessel scuttled in February 1999 and HMNZS Waikato was scuttled November 2000.

Day 6
A day above-water couldn’t be better with a drive to the Bay of Islands. Enroute we stop at Kauri forests for a nature walk, Russell Pub/historic village, and Waitangi.

Day 7
Back in the water today, we sail around islands and dive: the Arch, Hole in the rock, and the infamous wreck of the Rainbow Warrior – the Greenpeace vessel bombed by the French military in Auckland harbour.

Day 8
On our final day we drive to Auckland and take the opportunity to do some final sightseeing around Auckland (Mt Eden, Waitakere Ranges, etc), or take a Dolphin Explorer tour from central Auckland, before flying out that evening.

Price $11,975 (discounts available for group bookings of 6 or more)

Package includes:

Departures: on request

Group size: 4-12

All prices are per person in New Zealand dollars