Cruises
Cruising Map
Steadfast offers a range of cruises under sail in the Marlborough Sounds, D’Urville Island, and Tasman Bay.
A selection is listed below; see also Private & Corporate Charter.
For unbeatable value, check out our Hard Tack and Salty Dog cruises.
Classic Cruising
Tradition, craftsmanship, beauty, order, service, quality… With her comfortable deep keel, spacious decks and generous accommodation, we expect your cruise on Steadfast to be a most restful and restorative experience. Our catered cruises in the Marlborough Sounds combine the charms of sailing a beautiful old gaff cutter with first class service. Meals are prepared from the very best ingredients, including organic produce from our garden at the Lighthouse Cottage, and Grace really puts out in the galley. A selection of fine wines are available to compliment the daily fare, and there seems to be always something fresh coming out of the oven.
Choices of itinerary are as below:
French Pass
Day Cruise
Sailing out of 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.
Two-day D’Urville Island Cruise
Departing from French Pass, this two-day, one-night cruise offers a taste of coastal cruising, with several destinations to choose from. The area is sparsely populated, features spectacular coastal scenery, and the remoteness and lack of development adds to a sense of adventure. French Pass is named after the narrow passage between the mainland and D’Urville Island, discovered by the French explorer Dumont D’Urville in 1826, and presents as a swift and turbulent tidal stream that reverses direction with the change of the tide. The area abounds in seabirds and marine mammals. Departing late morning we sail to our chosen destination, where we anchor for the night, take a leisurely breakfast, and then sail back to French Pass for a mid afternoon arrival.
Fare: $495 per person, including hot drinks, snacks, and meals.
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.
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.
All Classic Cruising 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. Some bookings are subject to minimum numbers. Bookings are not final until secured by a 30% deposit. Please see our cancellation policy on our bookings page.
Volunteers: In addition to the cruise itineraries listed above, Steadfast will also be making some non-commercial coastal passages beyond Nelson/Marlborough waters and invite applications for volunteer crew positions. Please feel free to contact us for further details.
Cruising Map
