fbpx

Ultimate Fiordland Adventure

Ultimate Fiordland Adventure

From NZD $12,950

Description

Our signature voyage is the amazing 10-night adventure starting in Queenstown, then travelling by private coach to Te Anau before boarding the helicopter for the spectacular flight into Doubtful Sound. We explore Pickersgill Harbour, Dusky and Breaksea Sound, Wet Jacket and Vancouver Arm before sailing north to enter Nancy, Charles, Caswell, George, Bligh before the mighty Milford Sound. On the final day we depart the ship by helicopter for a once-in-a-lifetime flight out of Milford Sound to Queenstown.

Trip Name
Ultimate Fiordland Adventure
Days
11
Overview
Vessel Type: Yacht Length: 53.5 metres Passenger Capacity: 32 Built: 2020/2021 At Island Escape Cruises we are passionate about preserving the beautiful water in which we are travelling. We have built a yacht which goes above and beyond the future global standards for emission, but we want to go further. The elimination of single use plastic is our goal. Onboard each guest receives a reusable water bottle which can be refilled around the yacht and taken with you as a souvenir. We have installed an advanced wastewater treatment system onboard enabling us to have zero impact in sensitive areas. Our new yacht complies with SOLAS and is fitted with state-of-the-art stabilisers, fuel-efficient diesel-electric propulsion, and catalytic invertors that reduce NOX emissions to air up to 90%. With this innovative technology and our 15 years of experience, Island Escape will set a new standard, making her one of safest, most environmentally friendly and comfortable yachts of her class. To further reduce energy consumption, we have installed a waste heat recovery system that uses waste heat from the engines to make hot water for your showers and the galley.  We want to leave any destinations we visit in the same or even better condition than we found it to make sure future generations will have the chance to experience it as we did. Therefore, we have fitted our yacht with a dynamic positioning system, which allows us to be stationary in areas where the use of anchors would damage the seabed. The Art Of Dining Relaxation, exceptional food and carefully selected wines are an essential part of your vacation. Fresh sea air not only clears your mind, it also makes you hungry. Our chefs are dedicated, ensuring that every meal is magnificent. Local seafood, maybe even some that you caught yourself, is featured daily. You´ll enjoy locally sustainable specialities and even an opportunity for the chefs to prepare some of your own fresh catch. All Inclusive We strive to give you a relaxing lifelong memorable experience on-board our yacht. All food, drinks, activities, unlimited Wi-Fi and services are included in your fare. Our Suites With only 32 guests on-board our yacht is spacious, yet intimate enough to give you a truly exclusive private yacht atmosphere. All seventeen suites are designed by Tillberg Design of Sweden and come with ocean views. Our premium Owners suite and six Horizon suites are located on the upper deck and have floor to ceiling panoramic doors to your balcony. The spacious Ocean Suites are available in king, twin or single configurations.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Queenstown
An arrival in Queenstown is always spectacular. Especially by air. Please find your way to your comfortable room and a warm welcome at the Heritage Hotel. Tonight you are free to explore this alpine village at your leisure. Be that dinner in the hotel, or one of the many a lakeside restaurants. Queenstown is a world-famous beautiful location, and you’ll find numerous tempting dining options.
Day 2 - Day 2 Doubtful Sound
You have time for a relaxed breakfast before the private coach departs at 10am to Lake Te Anau. Please be ready in the lobby 15 minutes prior. You’ll have time to explore Te Anau township and have lunch at one of the many cafes before boarding the helicopters for a 20-minute scenic flight to the ship. The helicopter flight is an experience-of-a-lifetime, a chance to take in the panoramic grandeur of Fiordland, before descending into the wild solitude of Doubtful Sound – and the helipad on Island Escape. Remember to have your camera ready. Crew will introduce you to your suite before the ship layout and safety briefing. Your cruise begins. We make our way along Doubtful Sound then down the coast to anchor for the evening in the sheltered and beautiful Dusky Sound. Chef has prepared your welcome dinner.
Day 3 - Day 3 Dusky Sound and Pickersgill Harbour
Our journey starts to delve into the early history and exploration of Fiordland. Whales frequent the waters near the fiord entrance and a great place to spot them is from the bridge observation foredeck. As we enjoy lunch in Dusky Sound, the Captain will give an orientation of the history of the area and on the life of Captain James Cook and his visits to this part of New Zealand. After lunch we head ashore in Pickersgill to explore the area Captain Cook beached his ship Resolution here in 1773 to repair her hull. Nearby is the famous Astronomers Point, the site of a temporary observatory set up during Cook’s six-week stay here in Fiordland.
Day 4 - Day 4 Dusky Sound
Wake to the smells of a hearty breakfast, following which we track inland to the head of Dusky Sound and Supper Cove. This cove is the western trailhead for one of New Zealand’s greatest wilderness hikes – the Dusky Track. Further we visit Cascade Cove, Cook Channel, Fanny Bay and Nine Fathom Passage. The captain continues his talk over lunch where you will be acquainted with the long-running moose story. In the afternoon we take the Zodiacs ashore to visit the Seaforth Hut and perhaps can explore the Seaforth River by Zodiac or on foot.
Day 5 - Day 5 Wet Jacket Arm
After breakfast we proceed to peaceful Sportsman’s Cove for morning tea and more history from the captain. The focus remains on Cook and his journeys of exploration and the ongoing Fiordland moose story. Lunch served underway, and with a renewed taste for adventure, we take the Acheron Passage north and head up Wet Jacket Arm to Herrick Creek. There have been moose sightings reported in this area so have your cameras ready. We anchor off Oke Island for the night.
Day 6 - Day 6 Breaksea Sound
We follow the inland Acheron Passage heading for Disappointment Cove at the mouth of Breaksea Sound. Look out for seals close to shore and dolphins approaching the ship. Today’s lunch time talk focuses on conservation and the history and efforts to mitigate the impact of introduced fauna to Fiordland. We stop at Sunday Cove for afternoon tea and an introduction to the local venison industry. We stay overnight further up Breaksea Sound in Third Cove, below Mount Kellard at the mouth of Vancouver Arm.
Day 7 - Day 7 Vancouver and Broughton Arms
We explore Vancouver and Broughton Arms today. For those who like to fish, one of the Officers is available for fishing trips throughout the day. Fresh fish for dinner is virtually guaranteed. Non-fishers can go ashore to explore the intertidal shoreline and bush at a SW corner of Broughton Arm. Feel free to relax and take in the view from the jacuzzi on Island Escape’s top deck. On clear evenings this is the perfect place for some stargazing into a pure Fiordland dark sky.
Day 8 - Day 8 Nancy and Charles Sounds
The lush vertiginous beauty of Nancy Sound greets you today. From our anchorage, you can relax and enjoy the views from the yacht or join trips to explore the pristine shoreline of the fjord. You may be lucky enough to gather a crayfish with the help of the one of the crew or catch a fish at the head of the sound. After lunch, we set off north to explore the two arms of Charles Sound. It’s one of our favourite spots where the untouched natural beauty is awe-inspiring. You can join the crew in one of our Zodiacs for a trip up the Irene River that flows into the Emelius Arm of the sound. We spend the evening at the head of Charles Sound. Enjoy dinner, spectacular views and sharing some fascinating local history.
Day 9 - Day 9 Caswell and George Sounds
At Caswell Sound we venture ashore to explore the foreshore and the Stillwater River. Shirley falls provides a beautiful backdrop for those who prefer to stay on board, read a book, soak in the jacuzzi or enjoy a chat with your fellow passengers. After lunch we head on to George Sound, the longest fiord in northern Fiordland, to see the beautiful Alice Waterfalls. For those up for a good walk and breath-taking views, you can go ashore and take the track up above the falls to Alice Lake. Halfway along the fiord, we arrive at Anchorage Cove at the mouth of the George River, a great spot to relax and enjoy a stroll along the deserted foreshore. We lay at anchor here overnight, and have dinner with views of the beautiful Alice Falls and the majestic peaks that flank the sound.
Day 10 - Day 10 Bligh and Milford Sounds
Bligh fiord is an interesting Z-shape, named after William Bligh, of Mutiny on the Bounty fame, and then Governor of New South Wales. We anchor at beautiful Amazon Cove, then head ashore to explore and hear fascinating histories of lost tribes and the Wild Natives River. Then in the afternoon we head for the world-famous Milford Sound, making stops to take in the splendour at some of the sound’s many cascading waterfalls along the way. Circling through Harrison Cove, we reach perhaps the visual climax of our cruise, an iconic New Zealand vista, Mitre Peak. We anchor here for the final evening onboard for the fabulous farewell dinner hosted by the captain and the crew in the heart of Fiordland.
Day 11 - Day 11 Milford Sound and Queenstown
The helicopters arrive after breakfast and we fly through some of the most stunning scenery on earth to reach Queenstown airport. We wish you safe travels, taking home with you memories of adventure, great food, good company and vast unspoilt New Zealand.
Day 12 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
12-12-202222-12-2022NZD $12,950Ocean King
12-12-202222-12-2022NZD $12,950Ocean Twin
12-12-202222-12-2022NZD $15,950Horizon Suite
12-12-202222-12-2022NZD $16,950Ocean Solo
12-12-202222-12-2022NZD $17,950Owners Suite
22-12-202201-01-2023NZD $12,950Ocean King
22-12-202201-01-2023NZD $12,950Ocean Twin
22-12-202201-01-2023NZD $15,950Horizon Suite
22-12-202201-01-2023NZD $16,950Ocean Solo
22-12-202201-01-2023NZD $17,950Owners Suite
01-01-202311-01-2023NZD $12,950Ocean Twin
01-01-202311-01-2023NZD $12,950Ocean King
01-01-202311-01-2023NZD $15,950Horizon Suite
01-01-202311-01-2023NZD $16,950Ocean Solo
01-01-202311-01-2023NZD $17,950Owners Suite
11-01-202321-01-2023NZD $12,950Ocean Twin
11-01-202321-01-2023NZD $12,950Ocean King
11-01-202321-01-2023NZD $15,950Horizon Suite
11-01-202321-01-2023NZD $16,950Ocean Solo
11-01-202321-01-2023NZD $17,950Owners Suite
21-01-202331-01-2023NZD $12,950Ocean King
21-01-202331-01-2023NZD $12,950Ocean Twin
21-01-202331-01-2023NZD $15,950Horizon Suite
21-01-202331-01-2023NZD $16,950Ocean Solo
21-01-202331-01-2023NZD $17,950Owners Suite
01-02-202311-02-2023NZD $12,950Ocean King
01-02-202311-02-2023NZD $12,950Ocean Twin
01-02-202311-02-2023NZD $15,950Horizon Suite
01-02-202311-02-2023NZD $16,950Ocean Solo
01-02-202311-02-2023NZD $17,950Owners Suite
24-02-202306-03-2023NZD $12,950Ocean King
24-02-202306-03-2023NZD $12,950Ocean Twin
24-02-202306-03-2023NZD $15,950Horizon Suite
24-02-202306-03-2023NZD $16,950Ocean Solo
24-02-202306-03-2023NZD $17,950Owners Suite
18-03-202328-03-2023NZD $12,950Ocean King
18-03-202328-03-2023NZD $12,950Ocean Twin
18-03-202328-03-2023NZD $15,950Horizon Suite
18-03-202328-03-2023NZD $16,950Ocean Solo
18-03-202328-03-2023NZD $17,950Owners Suite

Inclusions

    • Doubtful Sound
    • Dusky Sound and Pickersgill Harbour
    • Wet Jacket Arm
    • Breaksea Sound
    • Vancouver and Broughton Arms

Map