Island Cruising NZ South Island Rally 2021-22
by Island Cruising NZ 28 Sep 2021 13:53 NZDT
SV Strannik at Stewart Island © Rodney Russ
Island Cruising NZ are excited to launch their first ever South Island Rally, and owner Viki Moore has been blown away by the response.
"After so much disruption to sailing plans over the last couple of years, people are keen to get back out there and start enjoying what our amazing country has to offer" Viki says.
Departing from Opua after Christmas, rally participants will have a professional weather router help pick a window to head south to the Abel Tasman where they'll enjoy exploring the golden sandy beaches of NZs smallest National Park, before heading across to Marlborough. There is also an option for an Abel Tasman & Marlborough only rally for those wanting to explore this region in more depth. With so many highlights including Nelson, D'Urville Island, Pelorus, Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sounds to explore you could spend months here without seeing it all.
"Rally participants will enjoy invitations to social events at remote resorts, access to the services of the Marlborough Nelson Marine Radio, and an option to use of the extensive network of club moorings in the region as well as wine tasting, scenic tours and an invitation to join the popular Waikawa Boating Club's New Year regatta in the cruising cruising division" Viki says.
Those heading further south will then set off to Lyttelton to explore Christchurch and some of the remote bays of Banks Peninsula, enjoying the hospitality of local yacht clubs along the way before calling at Akaroa Harbour. This is a great place to wait for a weather window to head South, with great restaurants, shops, walks and interesting French and Maori history.
Once again, the rally will have access to some great benefits and resources including weather routing, chart marking sessions, local tours, social events and the services of Southland Maritime/Bluff Fishermans Radio VHF channels for weather and navigation warnings, local knowledge and assistance along the way from the wonderful Meri Leask and other operators in the area.
Stewart Island has many incredible remote secluded anchorages, amazing scenery, bird life, hunting, fishing and history to explore. From there, the rally will head to Fiordland, where Island Cruising will assist with advice on the many walks, secluded bays and places of interest to explore along the way. They'll help with obtaining clean vessel passes, cruising guides, crew changes and reprovisioning. Shore crew support will be available for the vessels throughout the rally.
The rally will be backed up by a dedicated shore crew, on hand to help with any issues or emergencies and a PredictWind tracker, enabling those at home to follow the voyage.
Prior to departure, rally participants will be given a detailed rally pack and other regional resources, access to discounted charts and other great offers from our rally supporters as well as tips on passage planning and the things to see and do along the way from locals and cruisers who've recently visited the areas and access to our comprehensive cruising preparation workshops and webinars. This will ensure that everyone is well prepared for the adventures ahead.
There are other options for sailors on a different timeframe to also access the rally resources.
If you are interested in joining the adventure, you can get in touch with Island Cruising to request an information pack on
Island Cruising is also planning a rally to the Pacific in 2022. Fiji and New Caledonia have already announced their intention to open their borders around the beginning of the year, so plans are well under way for a departure around May next year.