Cruises
Cruising Season: This year’s summer cruising season runs from the October 1, 2008 to the May 31, 2009. A cruising programme has been planned for the period, offering day, 2-day, 3-day the 6-day cruises out of Picton, Nelson, and French Pass. Sleeping accommodation is all in seven single berths in the very spacious main saloon (pilot berths) or fo’c’sle.
A brief description of each cruise type is shown below:
Cruising Map
French Pass
Day Cruise: Sailing out of Picton, Nelson, or French Pass, a day cruise on Steadfast offers a hands-on experience of handling a big gaff cutter at sea. No experience required! You can join in with the work of setting sail, if you wish, or just sit back and enjoy the day. Heeling over to the breeze is a delightful pleasure, and it is surprising how well this (new) old girl sails! Steadfast’s wide decks and timber bulwarks provide a high level of comfort and safety, and an excellent vantage point for observing the local wildlife. There is an abundance of bird life at sea, including shags, gulls, gannets, little blue penguins, and many more. We also get the occasional visit from dolphins, the odd seal, and of course, the ever-changing view of the coast and surrounding mountains. A great way to spend the day on the water. Morning tea and lunch are served on deck.
Fare: $195 per person, including morning tea and lunch.
Click here to view our cruising programme.
Day Passage to Queen Charlotte Track
A one day passage is also available from Picton to Ship Cove for those wishing to combine a day cruise with delivery to the start of the Queen Charlotte Track, arriving in Ship Cove around 4pm. This is available on the first day of either a three-day or six-day Picton to Nelson coastal passage, or the first day of a two day Queen Charlotte Sound cruise. Drop-off at Endeavour Inlet is available by arrangement.
Please contact us for details.
Fare: $195 per person, including morning tea and lunch.
$295 per person including dinner and a berth for the night.
Click here to view our cruising programme.
Two-day Tasman Bay Cruise
Departing Nelson in the morning, Steadfast sails up the coast along the western side of Tasman Bay to the spectacular Abel Tasman National Park: land of golden beaches and virgin forest. After dropping anchor, there will be time to row ashore for a swim or a walk on the beach, before gathering for drinks on deck and dinner down below. In the morning, a quiet cuppa on deck greets the day, followed by a generous breakfast, and then it’s back to work: heaving up the anchor and setting sail for the return passage to Nelson.
Fare: $495 per person, including hot drinks, snacks, and meals.
Click here to view our cruising programme.
The Marlborough Sounds
Two-day Queen Charlotte Sound Cruise
This cruise departs from Picton and takes in the length of the Queen Charlotte Sound, passing the many coves, bays, and islands along the way, and dropping anchor in Ship Cove in the late afternoon. Queen Charlotte Sound is astoundingly beautiful, whatever her mood, with lush native bush or forest covering the steep hillsides that plunge into the sheltered waters of the sound. Bellbirds and tuis can be heard in the trees as we sail silently by, and little blue penguins are often seen paddling away in their quest for food. Ship Cove is a beautiful, sheltered anchorage, where Captain Cook spent a total of 100 days at anchor during his three Pacific voyages of exploration. In the morning, after a leisurely start, we say goodbye, for now, to this beautiful wilderness, and set sail for the return to Picton.
Fare: $495 per person, including hot drinks, snacks, and meals.
Click here to view our cruising programme.
Three-day Coastal Passages: Picton/Nelson (or Nelson/Picton)
The passage by sea from Picton to Nelson offers the traveller a variety of coastal scenery and sailing conditions, neatly divided into three sections, each with its own unique character. The first leg runs the length of Queen Charlotte Sound from Picton to Ship Cove, a sheltered-water passage through a labyrinth of bays and steep, forested hillsides. On day two, Steadfast sails around Cape Jackson and heads northwest along the coast of Cook Strait, past Cape Lambert, Titi Island, the Chetwodes, and into Admiralty Bay and the tiny settlement of French Pass. The final leg of this journey is through “the pass” between the mainland and D’Urville Island, and down the east side of Tasman Bay to Nelson. The Nelson to Picton passage is the reverse. These cruises have an element of destination, rather than simply excursion, and an opportunity to test our sailing and navigational skills under a variety of conditions.
Fare: $795 per person, including hot drinks, snacks, and meals.
Click here to view our cruising programme.
Steadfast Deck
Three-day D’Urville Island Circumnavigation
Departing Elmslie Bay in French Pass, this cruise takes Steadfast into the most remote and isolated areas of the Marlborough Sounds. D’Urville Island was once home to a large Maori community, who fashioned sharp tools from locally mined argylite. In the early 20th century, large areas of land were cleared for pasture, although farming has become less profitable in recent times, and much of the land has been allowed to revert to native vegetation. The Department of Conservation controls about a third of the land area. Strong currents, towering cliffs, and wild, rocky shores typify the coastal environment, but there are some excellent anchorages, making a circumnavigation by sail an excellent way to experience D’Urville’s timeless beauty.
Fare: $795 per person, including hot drinks, snacks, and meals. Transportation to and from French Pass can be arranged.
Click here to view our cruising programme.
Six-day Coastal Passage, including D’Urville Island Circumnavigation.
This cruise combines the three-day coastal passage with the D’Urville Island circumnavigation. Departing from either Picton or Nelson, Steadfast makes the three-day trip around D’Urville Island from her anchorage in Elmslie Bay, before continuing her coastal passage to its final destination. With no telephone, email, or roads, it’s a great opportunity for pulling back and taking in the long view.
Fare: $1695 per person, including hot drinks, snacks, and meals.
Click here to view our cruising programme.
All fares include: Meals, coffee, tea, snacks and GST. Connecting transportation can be provided by prior arrangement. Please inquire about our group or family discount.
Conditions: Departure times, arrival times, and destinations are subject to prevailing weather conditions and may be changed without notice. Bookings are not final until secured by a 30% deposit. Please see our cancellation policy on our bookings page.
Cruising Map
