Explore New Zealand's Fiordland National Park
Cruise into the rarely-visited heart of Fiordland with New Zealand's pioneering expedition cruise company, Heritage Expeditions. Experience the untamed, primordial majesty of this grand scale natural wonder aboard our luxurious 18-guest yacht Heritage Explorer and benefit from our 40 years of exploration of this region.
Discover tranquil waterways, sunken valleys and towering mountains of spectacular Fiordland National Park – Milford Sound, Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound, Luncheon Cove, Acheron Passage and more – while enjoying new levels of bespoke comfort in expedition travel, including an incredible scenic helicopter flight.
Marvel as misty clouds shroud jagged peaks of glacier-cleaved mountains streaked with waterfalls and enjoy unforgettable wildlife encounters as our expert expedition team brings your voyage to life through early New Zealand and conservation history.
Travel is aboard Heritage Explorer – our 18-guest expedition yacht with 10 cabins – enjoy a personalised, all-inclusive travel experience with gourmet fare, complimentary house wine, beer and soft drinks, Zodiac and hiking excursions and scenic helicopter flight. Hike, swim, paddle and spot wildlife from the Bridge Deck and Sun Deck.
Join us on a bucket list exploration of New Zealand's treasured natural wonderland.
New Zealand Fiordland Cruises
Southern Fiords Discovery: A Deep Exploration of Fiordland's Southern Fiords
7 DAYS
2025
7 Feb
12 Mar
4 & 10 Jul SAVE 20%*
9 Aug SAVE 20%*
3 Sep SAVE 20%*
Te Anau, New Zealand and Return
Aboard Heritage Explorer
- Enjoy a spectacular scenic helicopter flight at the start or completion of your voyage
- Discover the rich history and untamed beauty of Preservation Inlet
- Look for Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and New Zealand Fur Seals
- Explore Fiordland’s Southern Fiords, only accessible by sea
- Two days expedition cruising through Dusky Sound
- Predator free Chalky, Anchor and Pigeon Islands
- Learn about the rich conservation history of the region including Richard Henry’s pioneering bird transfers
- Experience Fiordland’s most spectacular scenery in Doubtful Sound
- Follow in the footsteps of Captain Cook
- Acheron Passage, Cuttle Cove, Luncheon Cove, Blanket Bay, Deas Cove and more
- Island sanctuaries for Kakapo and Little Spotted Kiwi
*T&Cs apply, new bookings only, July - September 2025 departures only when booked by 20 January 2024.
Fiordland Explored: Cruising Fiordland's Iconic Doubtful & Dusky Sounds
5 DAYS
2025
3 & 24 Feb
8 Mar
27 Jul SAVE 20%*
9 & 13 Sep SAVE 20%*
Te Anau, New Zealand and Return
Aboard Heritage Explorer
- Enjoy a spectacular scenic helicopter flight at the completion of your voyage
- Discover the primordial majesty of Doubtful and Dusky Sounds – only accessible by sea
- Look for Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and New Zealand Fur Seals
- Retrace the steps of Captain Cook along the shorelines of World Heritage Area Dusky Sound
- Explore the waterways, inlets and coves of Breaksea Sound and Acheron Passage
- Visit Luncheon Cove on predator-free Anchor Island and be amazed by the birdlife including South Island Saddleback, Robins, Yellowhead and Parakeets
- Learn about pioneering conservationist Richard Henry on Pigeon Island
- Sail deep into the heart of Fiordland in Dusky Sound
- Explore New Zealand’s deepest fiord Doubtful Sound and its lush rainforests and towering waterfalls
- Astronomers Point, Wet Jacket Arm, Deep Cove and more
- Experience two of Fiordland’s most remote, hard to reach and spectacular destinations on one voyage
*T&Cs apply, new bookings only, July - September 2025 departures only when booked by 20 January 2024.
All of the Fiords: The Ultimate Fiordland Experience
10 DAYS
2025
13 Feb, 18 & 27 Mar
16 Jul SAVE 20%*
15 Aug & 25 Aug SAVE 20%*
19 Sep SAVE 20%*
Te Anau, New Zealand and Return
Aboard Heritage Explorer
- Discover Fiordland’s ice-carved mountains, verdant forests and winding fiords
- Enjoy a spectacular scenic helicopter flight to start your adventure
- Marvel at magnificent Milford Sound
- Witness Alice Falls thundering out of Lake Alice in George Sound
- Visit rarely explored fiords Charles and Caswell Sounds
- Experience the Sound of Silence – Doubtful Sound
- Look for Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and New Zealand Fur Seals
- Visit historic ruins from New Zealand’s early mining and milling at Preservation Inlet
- Learn about the rich conservation history of the region including Richard Henry’s pioneering bird transfers
- Kahukura and Taumoana Marine Reserves
- Acheron Passage, Breaksea Sound, Chalky Inlet and more
- Island sanctuaries for Kakapo and Little Spotted Kiwi
*T&Cs apply, new bookings only, July - September 2025 departures only when booked by 20 January 2024.
Undiscovered Dusky Sound: Cruising Remote Fiordland
5 DAYS
2025
22, 26 & 30 Jan
28 Feb, 4 Mar
31 Jul SAVE 20%*
Te Anau, New Zealand and Return
Aboard Heritage Explorer
- Enjoy spectacular scenic helicopter flights at the start and completion of your voyage
- Discover the primordial majesty of Dusky Sound – only accessible by sea
- Breaksea Island, an iconic site in New Zealand conservation history
- Explore Zodiac, kayak and on foot
- Look for Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and New Zealand Fur Seals
- Retrace the steps of Captain Cook along the shorelines of World Heritage Area Dusky Sound
- Explore the waterways, inlets and coves of Breaksea Sound and Acheron Passage
- Visit Luncheon Cove on predator-free Anchor Island and be amazed by the birdlife including South Island Saddleback, Robins, Yellowhead and Parakeets
- Join your chefs fishing for the evening's dinner
- Learn about pioneering conservationist Richard Henry on Pigeon Island
- Sail deep into the heart of Fiordland in Dusky Sound
- Astronomers Point, Wet Jacket Arm, Resolution Island and more
- Experience two of Fiordland’s most remote, hard to reach and spectacular destinations on one voyage
*T&Cs apply, new bookings only, July - September 2025 departures only when booked by 20 January 2024.
Heritage Explorer
Setting a new standard for discovery travel in New Zealand, Heritage Explorer combines the ultimate in comfort with unique itineraries and a personalised experience for a maximum of just 18 guests. Built by the renowned wooden boat building family Carey's Boatyard in Picton, it features a contemporary wood-finished interior, 10 well-appointed cabins across three decks, dining room with spectacular 180-degree panoramas and theatre capabilities; lounge and bar featuring a flight of inclusive regional New Zealand wines, beers and spirits; and a well-stocked local library. Outside, guests can enjoy plenty of covered space on the Bridge Deck, or ajourn to the Sun Deck for wildlife spotting. Kayaks and fishing equipment are available for use, and two tenders allow for deeper exploration and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Technical Specs
Vessel Type: Expedition Yacht
Expedition Staff & Crew: 5
Guests: 18
Cabins: 10
Length: 30m
Cruising Speed: 10 knots
Tenders: 2
About Heritage Expeditions
Ambassadors for conservation, pioneers of discovery, and leaders in expedition travel to the world’s best-kept secrets.
Experience
For 40 years, Heritage Expeditions has pioneered voyages to some of the most wild and biologically rich regions on the planet. Our mission is to increase awareness and conservation of the natural world through responsible expedition travel.
Expert Team
Our team of naturalists and crew (5 total) bring an enormous wealth of experience, knowledge and passion to our expeditions, both in the field and onboard our ship during our lecture series.
Our Ship
Our 18-guest expedition yacht, Heritage Explorer, features 10 comfortable cabins, Sun Deck, kayaks and fishing equipment. Onboard, enjoy superb cuisine prepared by top New Zealand chefs.
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