Description
Discover the famed islands and coastlines of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park including Great Barrier Island and pristine natural beauty, gold sand beaches and misty rainforests of New Zealand’s subtropical playground The Coromandel. Explore island sanctuaries where native wildlife flourishes, and learn about the region’s conservation success stories and ongoing efforts on this incredible 7-day adventure.
Spanning 1.2 million hectares of scenic glittering ocean between Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula, five marine reserves and more than 50 islands, the Hauraki Gulf is a veritable aquatic wonderland and lays claim to having some of the country’s most beautiful beaches and hidden coves, perfect for exploration by kayak or Zodiac. The union of three channels, Colville, Cradock and Jellicoe, connect Hauraaki Gulf with the Pacific Ocean putting it on the ‘whale super highway’ with almost a third of the world’s marine mammal species living in or visiting the marine park including Orca, Bryde’s Whales and Bottlenose and Common Dolphins regularly observed.
Below the surface, numerous conservation efforts are underway to help restore the balance to the Gulf which is still recovering from industrialised overfishing and the impacts of the surrounding farming. Highlights on our voyage will include a visit to Tiritiri Matangi Island one of the country’s most impressive birding sanctuaries, bush walks on Great Barrier Island, and exploring pristine beaches and birding hotspots on The Coromandel Peninsula.
For a change of pace we will have a day at Waiheke Island, where you can enjoy a day visiting the many wineries, or kayaking around golden beaches and hidden coves. Experience conservation success stories in action and explore remote, island paradises by foot, kayak and our luxurious expedition yacht Heritage Explorer as we sail through the world famous Islands of the Hauraki Gulf and The Coromandel.