NEW ZEALAND: 7 Day Wilderness Odyssey
New Zealand
New Zealand
7 Day Wilderness Odyssey
This 7-day Northland yacht charter itinerary starts and ends in Whangaroa Harbour, cruising south to the Cavalli Islands before exploring the Bay of Islands. Visit Urupukapuka, Moturua and Motuarohia for island walks, swimming and sheltered time at anchor, then head to Russell for waterfront dining and local history. The return journey follows the coast north via Matauri Bay, combining offshore scenery with relaxed afternoons aboard. Coastal passages and overnight anchorages depend on weather, with Matauri Bay particularly suited to settled conditions.
- Where | New Zealand's North Island
- When | November-April
- Duration | 7 Days - 6 Nights
- Departs | Whangaroa Harbour
- Concludes | Whangaroa Harbour
Day 1: Whangaroa Harbour
HARBOUR CRUISE | KAYAKING | ONBOARD DINNER
Your New Zealand yacht charter begins in Whangaroa Harbour, where you board at the agreed embarkation point and meet your crew. After the departure briefing, cruise into the harbour beneath its steep, forested hills.
Explore a sheltered cove by tender or kayak, then return aboard for a welcome dinner. Overnight at a suitable anchorage inside Whangaroa Harbour.
Day 2: Cavalli Islands
SNORKELLING | BEACH WALK | SUNSET DRINKS
Leave Whangaroa Harbour and cruise east towards the Cavalli Islands. Your skipper will select a suitable bay for swimming, snorkelling, or exploring the coastline by kayak.
Enjoy lunch aboard before a permitted beach visit where landing conditions allow. Finish with sunset drinks and dinner onboard. Overnight at a suitable Cavalli anchorage, using a mainland alternative if wind or swell makes the islands exposed.
Day 3: Urupukapuka Island
COASTAL HIKING | SWIMMING | BEACH PICNIC
Cruise through the inner islands to Urupukapuka. Land at Otehei Bay and follow a section of the walking-track network for views across grassy headlands, beaches, and neighbouring islands.
Enjoy lunch at the café when open, or return aboard before an afternoon swim. End the day with dinner on deck. Overnight at Oneura / Paradise Bay or another suitable Urupukapuka anchorage selected by your skipper.
Day 4: Motuarohia / Roberton Island, via Moturua
BUSH WALK | LAGOON SWIMMING | LOOKOUT HIKE
Cruise west to Moturua Island for a morning ashore. Walk part of the Moturua Island Track through regenerating native bush before returning aboard for lunch.
Continue to nearby Motuarohia and explore Twin Lagoon Bay. Follow the marked lookout track or enjoy swimming where conditions permit. Have dinner aboard and overnight off Motuarohia if suitable, with an alternative inner-bay anchorage chosen when necessary.
Day 5: Russell, Bay of Islands
WATERFRONT WALK | GALLERY VISITS | DINING ASHORE
Cruise southeast along the Northland coast and enter the Bay of Islands. Continue to Russell, allowing much of the morning for the passage.
Go ashore to stroll along The Strand, visit Christ Church, and browse local galleries. Enjoy dinner at the Duke of Marlborough or return to the yacht for an onboard meal. Overnight at a suitable Russell anchorage or arranged visitor mooring, subject to availability.
Day 6: Matauri Bay
COASTAL CRUISE | KAYAKING | FAREWELL DINNER
Depart the Bay of Islands and cruise north along the coast towards Matauri Bay. This longer passage offers time to enjoy the changing headlands and offshore scenery from the deck.
In settled conditions, stop for swimming and a beach visit, with a shore walk to the Rainbow Warrior memorial if landing is practical. Enjoy dinner aboard and remain overnight only if the anchorage is suitable; otherwise, your skipper will adjust the overnight location.
Day 7: Whangaroa Harbour
BREAKFAST ABOARD | HARBOUR CRUISE | DISEMBARKATION
Enjoy breakfast onboard before cruising west into Whangaroa Harbour. Take in the harbour scenery during the final approach, timing arrival around your agreed handover.
Disembark at the same Whangaroa embarkation point where your charter began. No overnight aboard is included on Day 7.
Activities+Optional extras
Get off-board and discover even more
Fly the Southern Alps
Take your adventure to the next level. Skip the driving routes and book private helicopter transfers between the fiords and the mountains. Soar over untouched glaciers, land on secluded alpine peaks for a private champagne picnic, or get a bird's-eye view of the winding sounds.
Central Otago Wine Tasting
Add an exclusive barrel-room tasting experience at a premium boutique vineyard in the Gibbston Valley, complete with a chef-prepared multi-course lunch perfectly paired with local vintages.
New Zealand: 7 Day Wilderness Odyssey Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to charter here?
+December to March is a good choice for this Northland itinerary, with summer warmth suited to swimming, island walks and time aboard. December to February is the busiest summer period, while March offers an early-autumn alternative. Wind and swell still determine coastal cruising conditions.
Where does this charter depart from?
+This itinerary starts and ends in Whangaroa Harbour. Your charter operator should confirm the boarding point, ground transfers and whether the yacht needs to be repositioned there. Operators based in the Bay of Islands also cruise the wider Northland region, including Whangaroa and the Cavalli Islands.
What can be experienced along this route?
+The journey combines harbour cruising, swimming, kayaking, island walks and waterfront dining. Highlights include the Cavalli Islands, Urupukapuka’s coastal scenery, Moturua’s walking track and the lookout on Motuarohia, followed by time ashore in Russell. Island landings and water activities depend on conditions.
Who is this itinerary suited for?
+This itinerary suits couples, families and small groups who enjoy nature, beach visits and relaxed evenings aboard. It offers a balance of active shore excursions and quiet time at anchor, with longer coastal passages between Whangaroa and the Bay of Islands.
What is this itinerary like?
+The seven-day route travels from Whangaroa Harbour to the Cavalli Islands, then south to Urupukapuka. It continues through Moturua and Motuarohia to Russell before returning north via Matauri Bay to Whangaroa. Days combine cruising, island exploration and time at anchor, with overnight locations adjusted to the weather.
What should be considered before booking?
+Confirm the Whangaroa embarkation arrangements, yacht cruising speed, passage times and available water equipment. Matauri Bay requires suitable wind and swell, so an alternative overnight anchorage may be necessary. Ask the operator how weather changes could affect the schedule and return to Whangaroa.
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