Join the Coral Discover on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to discover the dramatic scenery, fascinating Maori culture and iconic wildlife of New Zealand’s beautiful South Island. Over 8 unforgettable nights cruise from the country’s charming and cosmopolitan capital Wellington to Milford Sound, experiencing the country’s iconic sights and the genuine warm welcome for which New Zealanders are renowned.
Highlights
Visit Moturoa Island and enjoy an abundance of birdlife.
Go whale watching around the town of Kaikoura.
Discover the scenic beauty of wild Stewart Island.
Cruise Doubtful Sound, Fiordland National Park's most spectacular waterway.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Board the Coral Discoverer in Wellington this evening. As you depart, enjoy spectacular views of New Zealand’s scenic capital city as you your way along the islands of the Cook Strait. Meet your fellow travelers, the Captain, and his crew at the Captain’s Welcome cocktail hour.
Explore an array of spectacular waterways, including the fjord-like Queen Charlotte Sound. Retrace the history of Captain Cook and visit Ships Cove, a regular stop on his voyage of discovery. The day offers a multitude of explorations aboard the Xplorer and inflatable Zodiacs under the guidance of your Expedition Leader. Visit Moturoa Island and enjoy an abundance of birdlife. Bid farewell to the dark hills and blue-green waters of the Sounds with an evening cruise through the scenic Tory Channel.
The scenic coastal town of Kaikoura, renowned as one of the world’s best destinations for whalewatching, is one of few places where it is possible to view the giant Sperm Whale in its natural environment. Join a special cruise to discover these majestic mammals, along with Fur Seals, dolphins and other migratory whales, an experience never to be forgotten. Stroll around the pretty coastal town before reboarding Coral Discoverer and continuing your journey south.
Cruise into secluded Akaroa Harbour, a very scenic village nestled in the heart of an active volcano. Stroll through the village to discover its French history, cozy cafes and excellent craft stores. Enjoy optional shore excursions and hope to swim with one of the smallest and rarest dolphins in the world: the Hector’s or New Zealand Dolphin.
Cruising past the world’s largest mainland albatross colony at Tairoa Heads, which is also the home of the world’s rarest penguin, the Yellow Eyed Penguin. Dunedin offers a great diversity of experiences, varying from its abundant wildlife to the historic Edwardian and Victorian architecture, the Otakou Maori Marae, the famous Speights Brewery, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Settlers Museum and New Zealand’s oldest botanical gardens. Enjoy a full day ashore and explore at your own pace.
Discover the natural delights and scenic beauty of Stewart Island, a large island which is almost entirely wilderness. The island is home to a vast number of seals, birds and other wildlife. Land at Paterson Inlet and join a guided walk to encounter native birds such as the Weka, Tui, Bellbird, Kaka, and New Zealand’s iconic national bird, the kiwi. Unlike other species of kiwis, the Stewart Island Kiwi is active both during the day and night and is often seen foraging on the beach for sandhoppers and other insects.
Experience Fiordland National Park as you enter Dusky Sound. Spend the day in awe of the spectacular and dramatic wilderness as you cruise amongst the sheer cliffs and tumbling waterfalls of this beautiful landscape. Enjoy the view from the Coral Discoverer or choose to explore the inlets from Xplorer or zodiacs. Continuing northward, anchor for the evening at the entrance to spectacular Doubtful Sound.
Awaken to the magnificent scenery of Doubtful Sound. The deepest of the sounds, Doubtful Sound was named by Captain Cook in 1770 and is often described as Fiordland’s most spectacular waterway. Join guest lecturers aboard Xplorer as you cruise amongst the towering peaks and explore a maze of hidden waterways, home to myriad marine and bird life. This evening, enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail as you make your way to world-famous Milford Sound, your final stop on this memorable journey.
Day 9: Milfornd Sound and Queenstown
1 Breakfast
Savor breakfast as your ship cruises the dramatic 14 mile length of Milford Sound. The calm waters of the sound mirror the sheer peaks that rise all around, including the instantly recognizable Mitre Peak, towering some 5,250 feet above the water. At 8:00 AM, disembark in Milford Sound and bid farewell to the Captain and crew. Join your chartered coach for the drive through Fiordland National Park and along the shores of Lake Te Anau before arriving in Queenstown. Enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery and pass through the remarkable 3,940 foot long Homer Tunnel, a fantastic way to conclude your journey exploring 'the land of the long white cloud.'
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$5,990
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Main Deck B
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Three cabins located on the Main Deck, equipped with twin portholes, desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Main Deck A
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Six cabins located on the Main Deck, equipped with twin porthole windows, desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Promenade Deck B
Averaging 160 sq. ft. Four cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, desk, telephone and Junior King bedding.
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Promenade Deck A
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Eighteen cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Bridge Deck
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Five cabins located on the Bridge Deck, equipped with picture windows, sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Notes
Solo Travelers:
Solo cabin occupancy is limited and based on availability in Promenade Deck B cabins only. Single supplement is an additional 50%.
Important Fare Information:
Rates are posted based off of the current exchange rates from Australian or New Zealand Dollars. Please contact us for current exchange rates.
Initial deposit is variable, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.