Volcanic Adventures - 5 Night Luxury Cruise

Serene and beautiful at sea level, the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty regions are full of dark secrets below ground. And every now and then, this subterranean angst rises to the surface.

On our Volcanic Islands adventure, a fascinating geological history is revealed as you enjoy the luxury of seagoing life aboard Island Passage.

Daily Itinerary

DAY 1 - AUCKLAND TO COROMANDEL PENINSULA:

You’ll step aboard Island Passage mid-afternoon and have a short time to settle into your luxurious cabin before we depart for the Coromandel Peninsula. Choose a cool drink and make yourself comfortable in a deckchair while the islands of the Hauraki Gulf glide by. Our first night is spent at Elephant Cove on Motukahaua Island.

Elephant Cove, Coromandel
This outstanding anchorage carved into Motukahaua Island has steep cliffs on each side of the entrance and a boulder beach at its head. Sheltered in almost any wind, it’s one of the Hauraki Gulf’s best kept secrets. Watch gannets diving for their dinner or try a little line fishing – the cove is deep right up to the edges.

DAY 2 - COROMANDEL AND THE MERCURY ISLANDS:

Wake to the calm tranquillity of Elephant Cove and the possibility of an early morning swim. After breakfast we’ll up-anchor and follow the peninsula coast north before rounding Cape Colville and setting course for Great Mercury Island, one of the world’s most exclusive holiday escapes. Tonight we’ll anchor in Great Mercury Harbour.

Great Mercury Island
Great Mercury Island, owned by Sir Michael Fay, feels like a small, perfectly-formed subtropical country. It has white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, sensational scuba diving and fishing, forests and lush pastureland. U2’s lead singer Bono has stayed here, as well as various other celebrities and rich-listers. Recently the island hosted a successful sub-orbital rocket launching. We’ll help you to explore Great Mercury by land and sea.

DAY 3 - GREAT MERCURY TO THE ALDERMAN ISLANDS:

Today we’ll leave the billionaire’s playground of Great Mercury Island and proceed south-east to the Alderman Islands, where we’ll lunch at anchor before exploring Ohinau. Ashore you’ll find a beautiful island that’s steadily regaining its ecological balance under the watchful eyes of the Ngati Hei and DOC.

The Alderman Islands
The Aldermans belong to the Ngati Hei tribe, who are working closely with the Department of Conservation to restore the natural ecology of the islands. Ohinau, the largest of the group, has a growing bird population that includes kereru, morepork and a variety of warblers. Whales, dolphins (including the rare Hector’s dolphin) blue penguins and seals are often seen around the Alderman Islands

DAY 4 - ALDERMAN ISLANDS TO MAYOR ISLAND:

The next chapter of our voyage is distinctly volcanic, as we enter the Bay of Plenty. You’ll enjoy magnificent coastal scenery before we point the ship towards Mayor Island, which geologists agree is one of New Zealand’s most unusual volcanoes. Surrounded by waters that are a game fisherman’s El Dorado, this island is a predator-free bird paradise with a pervasive feeling of mystery.

Tuhua/Mayor Island
Mayor Island is the visible portion of a 700m high, 15km-wide shield volcano which has produced virtually every known style of eruption, including Hawaiian fire-fountaining, Strombolian explosions and Plinian pumice falls. Currently resting between volcanic displays (which are usually several thousand years apart), it’s strikingly beautiful and peaceful with crater lakes, hot springs and soaring native forest. A wildlife refuge for more than 50 years, the island is home to nectar-feeding bellbirds and tui, wood pigeons, morepork, fantails, kaka (brown parrot), grey warblers, waxeyes, kingfishers and, soaring on the thermals, harrier hawks. Walks through the impressively tall forest lead to Lake Aroarotamahine, which is green, and Lake Te Paritu, which is almost black. Some of Mayor’s eruptions created obsidian, a black volcanic glass that results from the rapid cooling of silica-rich lava. It’s possible to find pieces of obsidian on the beach. The waters around Tuhua are prized by game fishermen - marlin, mako and swordfish are regularly caught here.

DAY 5 - MAYOR ISLAND TO WHITE ISLAND:

Say fond farewells to mysterious Mayor Island as we make an early start for White Island, another volcanic masterpiece – this time very much alive. We’ll arrive in time for lunch, and then it’s on with the gas mask for a tour of the main crater. You’re walking around inside an active volcano – extreme geological adventure at its best. In the evening, you’ll dine while we steam to our overnight anchorage on Motiti Island. Your voyage ends in the morning, with an 11am disembarkation in Tauranga.

Whakaari/White Island
White Island is one of New Zealand’s most active volcanic sites. What you’re seeing is actually the peak of a large submarine mountain - the main vent is below sea level but shielded from the ocean by high crater walls. The island’s most recent notable eruption was in 2000, when it belched large amounts of mud and scoria and a new crater appeared. But don’t worry - at most times the volcanic activity is limited to steaming fumaroles and boiling mud. Although privately owned, White Island is a scenic reserve that’s open to walkers. Hard hats and gas masks are provided for the tour - it’s an unforgettable experience. The island’s moody volcanic ash scenery is brightened by yellow and white sulphur crystals growing around the edges of hissing fumaroles. While exploring, you’ll see remains of a sulphur mining operation which came to a sudden halt in September 1914, when a mudslide killed all the workers. Only the camp cat (named Peter the Great) survived. 

Volcanic Adventures 5 Night Luxury Cruise Rates

The pricing below is valid from 01 September 2008 to 30 April 2010. Additional costs include optional excursions.

Single use rates are an additional 50% of the twin/double rates. Triple bedding rate is based on 3 passengers.

Our cruise rates include:

To book or for more information, please contact your Travel Agent or Enquire Online »