New Zealand Marlborough Sounds Cruises
Aboard Heritage Explorer
SPRING SAIL - SAVE 20% on voyages in April & May 2025*
New Zealand offers a dazzling small ship cruising experience. As a Kiwi owned and operated company since 1985, sharing the natural wonders and beauty of New Zealand is second nature!
Marlborough Sounds encompasses some 1,500-kilometres of forested coastline, sheltered inlets and bays awaiting exploration, many only accessible by sea. Famed for the breath-taking beauty of their winding cobalt waterways, iconic landscapes, lush native forests, wildlife and remote coastlines, these regions are also rich in early New Zealand history and the location of some of the country's most important conservation efforts.
Explore New Zealand's scenic playground of Marlborough Sounds' Queen Charlotte Sound, Kenepuru Sound and Pelorus Sound on an immersive five, seven or nine-day cruise adventure aboard our 18-guest expedition yacht, Heritage Explorer. Our nine-day voyage also includes an exploration of the beautiful maritime landscape of Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand's smallest national park, its waters home to New Zealand Fur Seals and Little Blue Penguins.
Cruises to Marlborough Sounds
Aboard 18-Guest Heritage Explorer
Discover Marlborough Sounds: An In-Depth Exploration of the Marlborough Sounds
7 DAYS
2025
1 & 17 May SAVE 20%*
21 & 27 Nov
3 Dec
Blenheim, NZ and Return
Aboard Heritage Explorer
- Discover the iconic Queen Charlotte Sound with opportunities to walk a section of the Queen Charlotte Walkway.
- Explore Tory Channel to learn about the whaling history of the Perano Whalers and visit Ship Cove to see Captain Cook's memorial.
- Sail through the scenic French Pass, with dolphins and New Zealand Fur Seals frequently seen, as we visit d’Urville Island.
- Spend time in Pelorus Sounds, the largest in the Marlborough Sounds, which offers picturesque views alongside steep verdant hills, and endless bays and coves for exploration.
- Visit Ngawhakawhiti Bay to get a glimpse of what the sounds would have been like before the native forest was cleared.
- Walk part of the Nydia Track before we explore Nydia Bay.
- Visit Blumine Island, home to the Orange-fronted Parakeet, New Zealand’s rarest parakeet
- Kayak remote shores and try your hand at fishing to catch your evening’s dinner.
*T&Cs apply, subject availability, when booked by 30 September 2024, cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Savings applies to all May 2025 departures.
The Top of the South: Explorations Beyond Marlborough Sounds
9 DAYS
2025
14 & 22 Apr SAVE 20%*
11 Nov
Blenheim to Nelson, New Zealand
Aboard Heritage Explorer
- Discover the wildlife and rich history of New Zealand's Marlborough Sounds
- Explore three main bodies of water - Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds
- Walk a section of Queen Charlotte Walkway in the footsteps of Captain Cook
- Visit d'Urville Island home to the critically endangered Long-tailed Bat and the King Shag, the world's rarest shag
- Sail through the iconic French Pass and in the wake of French Explorer Dumont d’Urville
- Hike part of the Nydia Track and explore Nydia Bay
- Visit Ship Cove, learn of its history and see Captain Cook's memorial
- Kayak secluded inlets and the stunning crystalline waters of Abel Tasman National Park
- Explore the native forest of Nagawhakawhiti Bay
- Look for New Zealand Fur Seals and Little Blue Penguins
*T&Cs apply, subject availability, when booked by 30 September 2024, cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Savings applies to all April 2025 departures.
Unseen Queen Charlotte Sound: A Walking Cruise of Queen Charlotte Sound
5 DAYS
2025
13 May SAVE 20%*
7 Nov
9 & 13 Dec
Blenheim, NZ and Return
Aboard Heritage Explorer
- Search for birdlife on predator free islands and walk a section of Queen Charlotte Walkway
- Discover the wildlife and rich history of New Zealand's Marlborough Sounds
- Look for the Orange-fronted Parakeet, New Zealand's rarest parakeet, dolphins and fur seals
- Explore three main bodies of water - Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds
- Visit d'Urville Island home to the critically endangered Long-tailed Bat and the King Shag, the world's rarest shag
- Spend two days exploring Pelorus Sound's endless bays, sheltered coves and shoreline
- Learn about some of the country's most important conservation efforts
- Sail through the iconic French Pass in the wake of French Explorer Dumont d’Urville
- Hike part of the Nydia Track and explore Nydia Bay
- Enjoy kayak and Zodiac excursions
*T&Cs apply, subject availability, when booked by 30 September 2024, cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Savings applies to all May 2024 departures.
