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New Zealand

Discover New Zealand in 2026 & 2027

Thinking about sailing to New Zealand? Start planning for the future and take a deeper dive into this stunning destination ahead of the release of our upcoming itineraries with Coral Expeditions. From dramatic coastlines and remote islands to unique wildlife and vibrant Māori culture, New Zealand promises an unforgettable journey. Explore its natural beauty and rich heritage, and be among the first to experience it with us when our itineraries are released.

Be the first to know when our cruises are available by filling out the below form.

Cruises are expected to depart in December 2026 until January 2027.

 

Expedition Cruise New Zealand’s Rugged Coastline

New Zealand’s 15,000 kilometres of meandering coastline makes it uniquely suited to small ship expedition cruising. Access glacial fiords, walk forested trails and visit isolated villages. Journey to remote locations including Marlborough Sounds and Fiordland and the charming towns of Napier, Kaikoura, and Dunedin. Hike through Waimangu Volcanic Valley, journey deep into quiet fiords and encounter striking Māori traditions. Discover the unique character of east coast towns, admire lazing seals, pods of friendly dolphins and perhaps even the rare yellow-eyed penguin. Return to your ship after the day’s excursions to sample the country’s famed produce and wine.


 

Small Ship Luxury

Travel in comfort aboard Coral Expeditions’ small, expedition-style ships, designed to bring you closer to the natural wonders of New Zealand while providing ample space for relaxation and observation.

Expert Guides and Crew 

Benefit from the knowledge and passion of our experienced guides and crew, who ensure your journey is informative, comfortable, and unforgettable.

Wildlife Encounters 

Get up close with New Zealand’s unique wildlife, from playful dolphins and seals to the iconic kea and tui birds, all in their natural habitats.

Scenic Coastal Views 

Cruise past New Zealand’s dramatic landscapes, from the white sandy beaches of the Pacific coast to the rugged cliffs and black sand shores of the Tasman Sea.

Personalized Shore Excursions 

Enjoy tailored excursions led by knowledgeable guides, whether you’re hiking through lush rainforests, kayaking in serene bays, or exploring the local wildlife.

A Haka performance, New Zealand

Cultural Experiences

Discover the region’s rich history, including Indigenous cultural insights and stories of early European explorers and settlers.

Previous Destinations Visited

Coral Expeditions Ships In New Zealand

From the deck of Coral Geographer or Coral Adventurer, take in the beauty of New Zealand’s captivating coastlines. Our expedition ships are purpose-built to access remote and pristine wilderness shores. The expansive deck spaces provide ample opportunities for stunning views as you cruise past the dramatic New Zealand coastline. You’ll be accompanied by no more than 120 passengers, along with our expert expedition guides and crew, as you explore this extraordinary region. Our lightweight, dual Xplorer tenders—trademark features of all our vessels—enhance the ship’s exploration capabilities, offering deeper access on shore excursions. These “safari jeeps” of the sea are fast, sturdy, and comfortable, designed for easy boarding from the ship and smooth disembarkation onto remote shores.

See New Zealand From A Different Perspective

New Zealand is home to awe-inspiring coastal landscapes, over 25 marine reserves, a vibrant Māori culture, charming seaside towns, and a wealth of unique wildlife, making it a truly remarkable destination. Its vast coastline is best explored by small ship, offering an intimate view of the dramatic beauty of Fiordland, remote Stewart Island, and the captivating Marlborough Sounds. The country is flanked by the Pacific Ocean on the east, with its white sand beaches and sheltered bays, and the wild Tasman Sea on the west, where rugged cliffs, weathered rocks, and stretches of black sand create a striking contrast. On our expeditions, you’ll have the opportunity to get up close to local wildlife, including dolphins, seals, wekas, tui, and kea.

Spend Christmas and New Years on expedition!🎄
Our seasonal voyages offer a range of choices, whether you prefer a yacht inspired journey close to home in Tasmania or seek to connect with more exotic adventures in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand or Borneo.

Book your Christmas and New Years voyage. Visit our website to view the itinerary & book online. Link in bio.

#cruise #expeditioncruise #CruiseMonth2023 #CruiseMonth #FestiveCruises
🐧Join us as we journey deep in the Southern Ocean to the World Heritage islands of the Australian and New Zealand sub-Antarctic

Visit our website to view the itinerary & book online. Link in bio.

#cruise #expeditioncruise #subAntarctic #AntarcticExpedition
Coral Adventurer had a great day in Milford Sound, cruising alongside Stirling Falls for some spectacular and very close views of this beautiful waterfall.

🚢 Visit our website for more New Zealand expeditions

#CoralAdventurer #NZMustDo #NewZealand #MilfordSound #StirlingFalls #expeditioncruie #travel #cruise #expedition #explore
Unwind and enjoy the adventure of an expedition voyage during the holiday season.
Spend your Christmas cruising the Bulu River spotting rare wildlife or uncovering ancient histories in the South Pacific, snorkelling at Tufi in Papua New Guinea or being immersed into the culture and flavour of New Zealand’s East Coast, even watching a Yacht Race from Sydney Harbour. We invite you to embark on a memorable voyage to celebrate the Christmas season on one of our expeditions departing December 2022 and 2023.

🎅 Discover Our Christmas Voyages on our website. 

#ChristmasCruise #FestiveCruise #ChristmasOnboard #ChristmasAtSea #HolidayIdeas #Travel #Cruise #LoveCruise #CoralCrew
Expedition Leader Ash Peters shares her passion for expedition cruising, and excitement to visit the remote islands of Wallis & Futuna in December this year. 

Discover the voyage > https://www.coralexpeditions.com/au/destinations/new-zealand/wallis-futuna/

#WallisandFutuna #WallisandFutunaIslands #wallisetfutuna #wallisandfutunaisland #SouthPacificCruise #ChristmasCruise #AdventureCruise #ExpeditionCruise #CoralAdventurer

Articles About New Zealand

Day 1 - Milford Sound 19.01.23 (Amber) (4)

Voyage Log | Fiordland & the South Coast – January 2024

23rd April 2024
Follow the voyage as Coral Adventurer journeys deep onto New Zealand’s majestic fiords and the natural wonders of the South Island.
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Milford Sound Coral Adventurer

Voyage Log: New Zealand Fiordland and The South Coast – Coral Adventurer

26th May 2023
Discover the adventures of the New Zealand Fiordland and The South Coast voyage. Learn about the interesting locations and experiences of our Guest Lecturer Mark Steadman and the guests aboard the Coral Adventurer.
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Wallis and futuna 420x250

Christmas Expeditions to Wallis & Futuna

22nd August 2022
Far off the radar in every sense, these islands boast a rich history and culture that matches the dramatic natural landscape.
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New Zealand Voyage Excerpts

Day 9 - Dunedin 15.01.23 (Mateo) (13) e 1080x1350

Milford Sound to Wellington

23 January 2023, Dunedin

“The views were beautiful this morning, sailing in with the sunrise as we arrived at Otago harbour. Our first activity for the day was the city tour, stopping at Signal Hill Lookout for some spectacular views of the city. From there, we made our way to the penguin reserve, where we saw penguins in rehabilitation and learnt about the threats these adorable birds face.”

Ducky Sounds

Milford Sound to Wellington

21 January 2023, Dusky Sound

“Our morning began at Astronomers Point, where Mark and Mateo talked about Cooks history in the Fiorland, the native vegetation, and Māori culture. It was amazing learning about the indigenous culture. That afternoon we set off for our cruise through Dusky sound, going to Luncheon Cove first then over to Pigeon Island.”

Expedition Dispatch - Akaroa2 2019

Auckland to Milford Sound

1 December 2019, Akaroa

“This afternoon we enjoyed a nature cruise out to the heads, exploring our way slowly back down the Akaroa coast. We saw many seals, a variety of seabirds and also went in and out of some of the coastal caves.”

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