Lyttelton Harbour · Cruise Shore Excursions
Cruise Ship Shore Excursions Lyttelton — Southern Passages Expeditions
A different kind of
shore excursion.
Half a day aboard Antaeus — a 65ft offshore performance yacht built for the Southern Ocean. Limited to 8 passengers. No bus. No commentary. Just sailing.
The only yacht-based shore excursion in Lyttelton
Most shore excursions take you past New Zealand. This one takes you into it.
Every other operator in Lyttelton puts you on a bus. We put you on Antaeus — a Davidson 65 built by Tony Ruiterman, designed for open ocean racing, and now based in Lyttelton Harbour. You take the helm. You trim the sails. You sail out through the heads and back into one of the most dramatic harbours in the southern hemisphere. On the way home, a glass of Waipara wine and something from the galley.
This is not a tour. It is a sail.
Take the helm
Every passenger gets time at the wheel of a 65ft ocean racer. Not a demonstration — you actually steer her.
Lyttelton Harbour
Sail out through the Heads into the open Pacific, with the Banks Peninsula crater walls rising on either side.
Local wine & snacks
On the return passage — Waipara wine, Canterbury craft beer, local cheese. Simple hospitality at the right moment.
8 passengers only
Maximum 8 per sailing. Book early — once it's full, the next sailing is the only option.
Experienced skipper
RYA qualified offshore skipper. Full safety briefing, life jackets provided, coded for commercial passenger operations.
A story worth telling
The photographs take care of themselves. The harbour, the sails, the Southern Alps on the horizon — it happens naturally.
2026 – 27 Season · October to April
Two sailings every ship day.
We run an AM and PM sailing on every cruise ship call day. If the morning fills, the afternoon is your next option. Both sailings are identical — same yacht, same skipper, same harbour.
Morning sailing
AM Excursion
Afternoon sailing
PM Excursion
Exact departure times confirmed 48 hours before each ship call. Times are tide and schedule dependent.
The vessel
Antaeus. Davidson 65.
Designed by Laurie Davidson and built by Tony Ruiterman to ABS offshore racing standards. 20 metres of New Zealand performance sailing. She has logged thousands of miles offshore and is now based in Lyttelton as the flagship of Southern Passages Expeditions.
This is not a charter boat fitted out to look impressive. She is a genuine offshore yacht designed to go fast and go far — and on a half-day excursion out of Lyttelton Harbour, you feel exactly that.
Designer
Laurie Davidson
Builder
Tony Ruiterman
Length
20.02m / 65ft
Beam
5.04m
Built
1992
Sails
2020 Evolution Membrane
How it works
From ship to sail in four steps.
01
Book your place
Reserve online or through your cruise ship's shore excursion desk. Maximum 8 passengers — secure your spot early.
02
Meet at the marina
10 minutes walk from the cruise terminal. We confirm exact times 48 hours before your ship calls at Lyttelton.
03
Sail the harbour
Safety briefing, life jackets on, and we cast off. Take the helm when you're ready — or just sit back and watch the Banks Peninsula unfold.
04
Return refreshed
Waipara wine on the way back in. Back at the marina with plenty of time before your ship departs.
Questions
What you're probably wondering.
Do I need sailing experience?
None at all. Our skipper handles everything. You can take the helm if you want to, or simply enjoy the sail. We've had passengers from 8 to 80.
What if the weather is bad?
Lyttelton is a working harbour and Antaeus is an offshore performance yacht — she's built for real conditions. In genuinely unsafe weather we'll cancel and offer a full refund. A bit of wind and chop is usually just more exciting.
Will we make it back in time for the ship?
Yes. We plan every sailing around your ship's departure schedule. We confirm timing with the port directly and build in a comfortable buffer. We have never missed a ship.
Is it just for cruise passengers?
The excursion sailings are timed around cruise ship calls, but anyone is welcome to join. If you're visiting Christchurch and want a half-day on the water, get in touch — we'll find a sailing that works.
Can I book the whole boat privately?
Yes. Private charter of the full vessel — up to 8 passengers — is available at $3,400 NZD per sailing. Contact us to discuss dates and a custom itinerary.
I loved it — can I come back and sail properly?
Many do. Offshore passage berths to the Marlborough Sounds, Stewart Island and Fiordland are available throughout the season. Talk to the skipper on the day or visit our Expeditions page.
Eight places.
Two sailings.
Book early.
The AM sailing fills first. Once it's gone, the PM sailing is your only option — and when that goes too, the next ship day is the next chance.
Or email [email protected] · +64 21 988 333