| 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:
- First-class lodge accommodation, host and guides,
all activities and transport (air, land and water AKL-AKL)
- All meals and wine
- Host and activity guides
- All equipment hire
Departures: on request
Group size: 4-12
All prices are per person in New Zealand dollars

|