7 Days round trip from Opua, Bay of Islands & 7 Days Queenstown round trip with coach and helicopter transfers between George & Milford Sounds
Aboard: Island Passage
Departures: Bay of Islands: 6 sailings February-March & Fiordland: 6 sailings December-January
Prices: 6 nights per person twin share: Bay of Islands $3,650; Fiordland from $5,950
The Island Passage is a 42m luxury catamaran accommodating 24 guests in air-conditioned comfort in 6 state rooms, 4 ocean and 2 bridge suites on 3 decks all with en-suite bathrooms and picture windows or wide portholes. Public areas comprise the Anchorage lounge bar and indoor dining area plus the outdoor Terrace area for al fresco dining and observation. Island Escape carries a helicopter, 4 motor boats, a landing craft plus kayaks.
Bay of Island Cruise
Day 1: Opua, Bay of Islands | Embarking at 5:00pm, cruising up the Veronica Channel towards Paihia and the historic village of Russell, to overnight at Opunga Cove.
Day 2: Motuarohia – Roberton Island | Snorkel in the sheltered lagoon, kayak around the bay or hike up to the historic Maori Pa site and in the late afternoon to Urupukapuka island to overnight in Paradise Bay.
Day 3-4: Urapukapuka & Oke Islands | Explore Urapukapuka in the morning and after lunch cruise through Albert Passage and along Cape Brett Peninsula to overnight at Deep Water Cove with a chance to swim with the dolphins. Next day to beautiful Oke Bay, and after lunch a scenic helicopter flight around the Bay of islands, then through the Albert Passage to our anchorage in Parekura.
Day 5-6: Bay of Islands | Cruising through the bay enroute to overnight at Te Pahi island. Next day to the village of Russel, once known in whaling days as the ‘hell hole of the Pacific’ for a visit ashore.
Day 7: Opua | Disembark at 9:00am after breakfast.
Fiordland National Park Cruise
Day 1: Queenstown, Heritage Hotel | Check in with briefing at 5:15pm, then dinner at Walter Peak Sheep station via TSS Earnshaw and a chance to see the sheep dogs in action.
Day 2: Te Anua & ‘Island Passage’ | By coach to Te Anau for a sensational helicopter flight to the ‘Island Passage’.
Days 3-6: Fiordland | Exploring from the luxury of ‘Island Passage’ with kayaking, guided excursions ashore for hikes and fly fishing. Starting with Caswell Sound then into George Sound with the beautiful Alice waterfalls followed by Anchorage Cove with hot water springs, overnighting in Bligh Sound. Next up the coast calling at Sutherland Sound and Poison Bay then into the world-famous Milford Sound. During the cruise expect to see a great variety of sea birds including albatross also dolphins, seals and perhaps whales plus the rare Fiordland crested penguin.
Day 7: Milford Village – Queenstown | Disembarking at 12.00 noon with coach to Te Anau and flight to Queenstown staying at the Heritage Hotel.
Price includes:
●● All meals onboard
Fiord cruise:-
●● Helicopter flights as applicable
●● Use of water sports equipment
Price excludes:
●● Alcoholic beverages
●● Transfers
●● Gratuities and all personal expenses
Price per person twin share | Based on lead in cabin rising in price according to cabin level and season