Passages & Programmes
Sail somewhere
worth talking about.
Four passages and programmes departing Lyttelton. You crew the yacht — you don't just ride on her.
Vessel
65ft Offshore Racing Yacht
Type
65ft Offshore Racing Yacht
Base
Lyttelton
Operating Area
NZ & Pacific
Sailing Passages
You crew the yacht. You don't just ride on her.
Passage 1 · 5–7 Days · Oct – Apr
Marlborough Sounds Passage
You don't just ride on her. You crew her.
A coastal passage north from Lyttelton aboard our 65ft offshore racing yacht. Five to seven days through some of the finest sailing water in New Zealand: Queen Charlotte Sound, Pelorus Sound, remote anchorages with no roads and no crowds. Guests share watches, take the helm, and navigate alongside the skipper. This is participatory sailing, not a sightseeing cruise.
- Crew a record-holding 65ft offshore racing yacht
- Coastal passage north from Lyttelton
- Queen Charlotte Sound and Pelorus Sound
- Remote anchorages — no roads, no crowds
- Shared watches and navigation with the skipper
- Fresh green-lipped mussels from the water
- Counts toward qualifying offshore sea miles
Building Your Offshore Sea Miles
If you're working toward your RYA Yachtmaster qualification, this voyage genuinely counts. Every Marlborough Sounds passage logs real offshore sea miles and sailing days — exactly what you need toward your Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore qualifying sea time, completed properly, with real watch-keeping responsibility, not just a passenger seat. If you're a Yachtmaster candidate looking for offshore sea miles in New Zealand, get in touch — we can talk through how this voyage fits into your logbook.
from $4,000
per person
High frequency departures — the commercial backbone of our Year 1 programme.
Passage 2 · Multi-Day · Nov – Mar
Stewart Island Nature Watcher's Passage
Eighty-five percent national park. Kiwi in the wild.
Stewart Island / Rakiura via the sheltered east coast route. Eighty-five percent national park. A population of around 400. Kiwi in the wild — one of the most reliable sightings in New Zealand. Pristine beaches, seabird colonies, and a remoteness that is increasingly hard to find anywhere in the world. Limited berths, premium positioning, genuine exclusivity.
- Sheltered east coast route — achievable and spectacular
- Rakiura National Park — 85% protected wilderness
- Kiwi in the wild — one of the best spots in NZ
- Pristine beaches and untouched coastline
- Seabird colonies and bottlenose dolphins
- Counts toward qualifying offshore sea miles
Building Your Offshore Sea Miles
Stewart Island is a genuine offshore passage, not a coastal cruise — which makes it real qualifying sea time for RYA Yachtmaster candidates. If you're working toward your Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore certificate and looking for offshore sea miles in New Zealand, this voyage logs proper open-water days and real watch-keeping experience. Get in touch if you'd like to talk through how this fits into your logbook.
from $6,500
per person
Limited berths per departure — enquire early for summer season.
In Development
Where New Zealand ends, the adventure begins.
One expedition in development. Register your interest now — berths will open to the list first.
The Fiji Passage
Sailing New Zealand to Fiji.
Open ocean. Real watch-keeping. Days where the only land in sight is the horizon. A genuine NZ to Fiji yacht passage — currently in development. Register now to be first in line when berths open.
Register your interestDay Programmes
Filling idle vessel days with purpose.
Two programmes that keep the vessel working on days between passages — and build the long-term community around Southern Passages Expeditions.
Programme 3 · Half or Full Day · Year-round
Corporate Sailing Days
An afternoon aboard a record-holding racing yacht.
Not a generic harbour charter. An afternoon — or full day — offshore from Lyttelton aboard a record-holding racing yacht. Up to 10 guests. Everyone takes the helm. The vessel has a story worth telling, and your team will leave with one of their own. Recognised by ChristchurchNZ Convention Bureau as a premium Canterbury business experience.
- A record-holding 65ft offshore racing yacht — exclusive use
- Up to 10 guests — exclusive use of the vessel
- Everyone takes the helm — genuinely hands-on
- Lyttelton Harbour and Banks Peninsula
- Half day ($2,500) or full day ($5,500)
- Catering and beverages available on request
- Customisable itinerary — racing, cruising, or coastal
from $2,500
per day
Recognised by ChristchurchNZ Convention Bureau. Photography and catering available.
Programme 4 · Day Programme · Term-based
School Sailing Programme
Coastguard delivers the theory. We deliver the sea.
A Day One launch item — not a future-dated product. Coastguard Boating Education delivers the theory component using their existing school course product. We deliver the practical component: Introductory and Day Skipper courses timed to align with Coastguard's theory schedule. Schools invoice and collect from students and families directly, as they already do for other school activities. Southern Passages Expeditions is paid by the school — no individual family billing to manage.
- Coastguard Boating Education delivers theory
- We deliver the practical component on the water
- Introductory and Day Skipper course structure
- Timed to align with Coastguard's term schedule
- Schools invoice families directly — simple billing
- Builds a long-term pipeline of Canterbury sailors
- Available from next term — enquire now
Enquire
per school
Available to Canterbury schools from next term. Contact us to discuss scheduling.
On the Horizon
Fiordland Expedition
Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound. Remote anchorages accessible only by sailing yacht. Fiordland National Park from the water — the way it was meant to be seen.
A DOC pre-application enquiry has been submitted. We are not yet in a position to publish bookable dates. Register your interest below and we will contact you directly when concession status is confirmed.
- Milford, Doubtful & Dusky Sound
- Remote anchorages in Fiordland National Park
- Shared watches and navigation with skipper
- Fresh seafood, wildlife, and complete wilderness
- 7-day voyage departing Lyttelton
No booking required. We'll be in touch when dates are confirmed.
Common Questions
Everything you need to know
- Do I need sailing experience?
- No prior experience required for most passages. You'll share watches and navigation with the skipper and learn as you go. Fitness and a genuine appetite for remote places is all you need.
- Where do passages depart from?
- All passages depart from Lyttelton Harbour, 12km from Christchurch city centre. Easy parking and waterfront access.
- How much does the Marlborough Sounds Passage cost?
- The Marlborough Sounds Passage starts from $4,000 per person for a 5–7 day voyage. Contact us for full pricing and current availability.
- How does the School Sailing Programme work?
- Coastguard Boating Education delivers the theory component using their existing school course product. We deliver the practical component on the water. Schools invoice families directly — no individual billing for Southern Passages Expeditions to manage. Available from next term.
- Can I join a passage as a solo traveller?
- Yes. Berths are available for solo travellers joining the crew for multi-day passages. Get in touch to discuss current availability and upcoming departures.
- When will Fiordland expeditions be available?
- A DOC pre-application enquiry has been submitted. We are building a register of interest and will contact registered guests directly when concession status is confirmed. No bookable dates are published yet.
Explore more
Sailing Courses
Competent Crew, Day Skipper & Yachtmaster Offshore from Lyttelton.
Corporate Sailing
Half and full-day offshore sailing days for Canterbury businesses.
Schools Programme
Practical sailing for NZ high school students — Duke of Edinburgh & NCEA.
From the blog
Article
Sailing the Marlborough Sounds
Best anchorages, weather windows, and how to join a crewed passage from Lyttelton.
Article
Stewart Island by Sail
Albatross, kiwi, and very few other boats — what to expect on a passage south.
Article
Building Offshore Sea Miles in NZ
How to log qualifying miles for Yachtmaster — the best passages and what to expect.
Ready to join the crew?
Tell us which passage interests you, your preferred dates, and any experience you have. We'll come back to you within 48 hours.