Abel Tasman & Sounds Cruise (6 Days)

After boarding Island Passage mid-afternoon, you can sit on deck with a cool drink and watch the Abel Tasman panorama slide by.  Hills cloaked in native forest slope down to a procession of perfect beaches. Between the main bays, granite and marble boulders mark the  boundary between forest and ocean.

We’ll pass the Tonga Island fur seal colony and the secret inlet of Shag Harbour before arriving in beautiful Awaroa Bay, our anchorage for the night. While the barman supplies your favourite aperitifs, chef is preparing a gourmet meal that promises to be as outstanding as the scenery.

Following breakfast, subject to weather, embark on an excursion to explore this active volcano, identifiable by the plume of steam continually spouting from its crater. Following a landing with the “Xplorer” spend approx three hours on a guided walk to the crater returning for lunch before cruising southwards along the coast to Whangara, a small Maori settlement made famous following the filming of the movie Whale Rider. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Today you’ll experience two of the greatest pleasures of the Abel Tasman – sea kayaking and hiking. From Onetahuti you’ll paddle to the fur seal colony at Tonga Island; delightful encounters with the residents are a certainty. Then you’ll head south, along the granite and forest coastline to beautiful Bark Bay. Watch for little blue penguins along the way. Here you’ll take to the coastal walkway for a two-hour hike to Anchorage, where the ship awaits.

Highlights include the swing bridge at Falls River and native birdsong in the forest. If the tide’s out, you’ll get to take off your shoes and cross the Torrent Bay estuary the quick-but-muddy way.

Island Passage departs mid-afternoon for Okiwi Bay, which is located within beautiful Croisilles Harbour. In 1827 this area was explored by Dumont D’Urville on his ship Astrolabe, who named the harbour after his uncle the Abbot of Croisilles. Daylight saving ensures there will be plenty of time to explore before dinner - catch a tender to the beach or paddle a kayak around the shore. Dinner at seven

Next morning there’s time for a refreshing swim before breakfast. Then we’ll carefully time our passage through French Pass, because at certain points of the tide the water races through here creating whirlpools and fierce currents. This pass is feared and respected by mariners – D’Urville clipped the reef twice.

Beyond French Pass lies Admiralty Bay – a great place for wildlife watching. We’ll anchor here for the night, so that you can explore the area in kayak or tender. Look for king shags, blue penguins, gannets, white-fronted terns, molly hawks, petrels and shearwaters. With any luck you’ll also see fur seals and dolphins – maybe even an orca or two.

Today is devoted to D’Urville Island. Here the predator-free forest is alive with tui, bellbirds, native robins, weka and kaka. Follow the walking tracks to discover waterfalls, river pools and huge views. After a magnificent dinner, hosted by the captain, take your favourite night cap to a steamer chair and enjoy the night sounds of this magical place.

There’ll be time for a final morning swim or kayak before Island Passage raises her anchor and begins the journey across Tasman Bay to Nelson. Watch for dolphins and orca while you enjoy glorious views of the coast and Tasman Sea.

Please take the time to view our “Virtual Tour” for the 6 Night Abel Tasman and Sounds Cruise or download or print the detailed “Tour Dossier”. Both can be found on the right hand column of this page. Alternatively you can simply contact us. For a comprehensive  list of  all activities available in each location featured in this tour, please refer to the "Destination Guide" found at the top of this page.