Lyttelton, Christchurch — Canterbury's Offshore Sailing
Where New Zealand ends, the adventure begins.
Canterbury's only offshore sailing operation. Skippered passages to Marlborough Sounds, Stewart Island, Tonga & Fiji. Yachtmaster courses. Corporate sailing days. All from Lyttelton.
Southern Passages — Launching Term 4 2026
Maritime training for Canterbury
Offshore sailing courses in Christchurch classrooms and aboard our offshore sailing yacht from Lyttelton. Canterbury's only offshore sailing operation.
From a single-day VHF certificate to the internationally recognised Yachtmaster Offshore — everything you need to sail further, safer.
Register your interest →Canterbury Sailing
Within 12km of Christchurch
Our Offshore Sailing Yacht
Our training vessel
Internationally Recognised
Internationally recognised
Passages & Expeditions
Marlborough Sounds, Stewart Island, Tonga, Fiji and beyond
Courses & Certifications
Offshore Courses Built for Serious Sailors
Competent Crew
Five days aboard our 65ft offshore performance yacht from Lyttelton. Your first internationally recognised offshore sailing qualification.
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coming 2026/27
Day Skipper
Navigation, chartwork, passage planning, and boat handling. Practical and preparation combined.
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coming 2026/27
Yachtmaster Offshore
The highest recreational sailing qualification in the world. Preparation and independent exam.
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coming 2026/27
Southern Passages Expeditions
Sail somewhere worth talking about.
Skippered passages and charter sailing throughout the South Island and Pacific. Marlborough Sounds, Stewart Island, Tonga, Fiji, and offshore passage berths.
5–7 Day Passage
Marlborough Sounds Passage
A coastal passage north from Lyttelton. Queen Charlotte Sound, Pelorus Sound, remote anchorages with no roads and no crowds. You crew the yacht — you don't just ride on her.
Departure
Lyttelton
Duration
5–7 Days
Vessel
Offshore Sailing Yacht
From
$4,000 per person
Stewart Island Voyage
Multi-DayRakiura National Park — 85% wilderness. Kiwi in the wild. One of the most remote coastlines in New Zealand.
from $6,500 per person
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Tonga Whale Season
July – OctoberHumpback whale encounters in the Pacific. Full boat charter available.
from $12,000 per week
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Offshore Passage Berths
VariesLog qualifying sea miles on coastal and Pacific passages.
from $3,500 per berth
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Corporate Sailing Days
Half or Full DayOffshore sailing from Lyttelton Harbour. Up to 10 guests. Everyone takes the helm.
from $2,500 per day
EnquireComing 2028
The Southern Passages Race
Lyttelton to 52° South.
Be part of the inaugural race.
Ready to go
offshore?
Whether you're stepping up to your first offshore certification or looking for a berth on a passage to Marlborough Sounds or Stewart Island, we'll help you find the right next step. Our team responds within 24 hours.
Stay Informed
Register your interest
Courses, expeditions, and the 2028 race. Be first to know when dates open.
About Southern Passages Expeditions
Southern Passages Expeditions is a New Zealand offshore sailing school and expedition company based in Lyttelton, Canterbury. We run skippered sailing passages and offshore yacht expeditions to some of the most remote and beautiful destinations in the South Pacific — including the Marlborough Sounds, Stewart Island / Rakiura, Fiordland, Tonga, and New Zealand to Fiji ocean passages.
Our sailing courses include Competent Crew, Day Skipper, and Yachtmaster Offshore preparation and exam — all conducted offshore aboard our yacht from Lyttelton. Every passage logs qualifying sea miles toward RYA Yachtmaster certification. We also run corporate sailing days and team-building programmes for Christchurch and Canterbury businesses, and a dedicated schools sailing programme for secondary students across New Zealand.
Whether you are looking for a bucket-list sailing adventure, a skippered Pacific crossing, offshore sailing qualifications, or a corporate day on the water — Southern Passages Expeditions operates from Lyttelton Harbour, with passages departing across the 2026/27 season. Contact us at [email protected] or call +64 21 988 333.