Coral Expeditions

New Zealand Sounds and Stewart Island (8 nts)

New Zealand Sounds and Stewart Island

8 nights Bluff to Bluff

Witness the raw beauty of New Zealand’s South Island. Journey deep into World Heritage Fiordland, where remote sounds reveal towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls.

Departs

  • 16 December 2026
Cruising map of Coral Expedition cruises 8 night New Zealand Sounds and Stewart Island cruise

Prices for 2026

Press the arrow on the next line to see the full price list.

2026 prices – Coral Adventurer

Cabin 2026 Full Fare 2026 NRMA* Xplorers Club Silver** Xplorers Club Gold***
Coral Deck Stateroom $8,570 pp $7,713 pp $7,326 pp $6,936 pp
Promenade Deck Stateroom $9,990 pp $8,991 pp $8,539 pp $8,091 pp
Explorer Deck Balcony Stateroom $12,910 pp $11,619 pp $11,025 pp $10,437 pp
Bridge Deck Balcony Stateroom $13,990 pp $12,591 pp $11,954 pp $11,321 pp
Bridge Deck Balcony Suite $17,440 pp $15,696 pp $14,911 pp $14,126 pp

All prices are per person, twin share in AUD.

Multiple Cabin Discounts: Please ask us about discounts for 2+ cabins.

*NRMA members (not an NRMA member? Ask us and we’ll help you sign up) – Receive 10% off the full cruise fare. Savings are subject to availability on selected dates. MYNRMA Members also get complimentary Deposit Protection and 1x complimentary bottle of wine.

**Xplorers Club Silver – Receive 5% off the full cruise fare if you’ve previously cruised with Coral Expeditions on any of their cruises between 6-13 nights. This discount can be combined with the NRMA offer. The above price grid reflects this discount combination (NRMA 10% off the full fare plus an extra 5% off the full fare for the Xplorers Silver).

***Xplorers Club Gold – Receive 10% off the full cruise fare if you’ve previously cruised with Coral Expeditions on a combination of cruises totalling between 14-50 nights. This discount can be combined with the NRMA offer. The above price grid reflects this discount combination (NRMA 10% off the full fare plus an extra 10% off the full fare for the Xplorers Gold).

Click here to see full terms and conditions of Xplorers Club prices.

Inclusions

  • All entrance fees to National Parks, ports, traditional owner fees and charges imposed by governing authorities
  • Wifi Access – Starlink standard speed connectivity enabling email, social image sharing, web browsing and messaging
  • Post-cruise transfers to CBD hotel or airport
  • 24-hour coffee and tea station
  • Use of Xplorer, Zodiacs and Kayaks
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Captain’s welcome and farewell events, and open bridge access
  • Use of all onboard facilities, incl. a reference library
  • Daily lectures and briefings with Guest Lecturers
  • Selected wines, selected beers and house spirits, juices, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner
  • Expedition diary, along with a photo gallery documenting the highlights of your voyage
  • All meals, chef-prepared on board
  • All excursions with our Expedition Team
  • Pre and post cruise accommodation
  • Premium Internet services
  • Pre and post cruise flights/charter flights
  • Entry visas & travel permits for the country you are travelling to/from
  • Travel Insurance
  • Items of a personal nature such souvenir purchases
  • Alcoholic & non alcoholic specialty beverages outside of lunch and dinner service
  • Laundry service (available at a cost)

Itinerary Highlights

  • Cruise Doubtful, Dusky and Milford Sounds (Tamatea), rich in diverse flora and fauna, passing the Nee Islets, ‘the Gut,’ and outer seal colonies where fur seals lounge on rocks and dolphins may appear in pods.
  • Explore Stewart Island (Rakiura) to a Norwegian whaling station and a guided hike along the Rakiura Track.
  • Enjoy birdwatching on predator-free Ulva Island, a sanctuary for rare native species.
  • Join a guided whale-watching tour in Kaikōura to spot sperm whales and dolphins.
  • Kayak, and if you dare, go for a cold water plunge in the Fiordland National Park (Piopiotahi).

Meet in Queenstown from 10:30am at QT Hotel. Travel by coach to Bluff and board Coral Adventurer. Settle in and toast the voyage with Captain’s Welcome Drinks as we sail south along the wild southern coast and into the Tasman Sea.

Over three days, explore predator-free Ulva Island with expert guides, hike sections of the Rakiura Track, and visit the old Norwegian whaling station. Enjoy a local tour of Oban, and opt for a scenic flight over Mason’s Bay and the Ruggedy Ranges.

Cruise the remote reaches of Dusky Sound, a haven of waterfalls, cliffs and rainforest. Join guided Xplorer excursions, kayak secluded inlets, and visit Astronomer’s Point where Cook once observed the stars. Brave a swim in the icy waters.

Sail into Doubtful Sound’s deep glacial inlet. Look for fur seals, dolphins and crested penguins. Join a guided hike from Deas Cove to Neck Cove or swim in shallow, crystal-clear waters.

Cruise beneath Mitre Peak and feel the spray from Stirling Falls. Explore the dramatic fiord aboard Xplorer and capture postcard views of cliffs, ridges and turquoise waters tumbling into the sea.

Sail near the uninhabited Solander Islands, volcanic islets discovered by Cook and home to rare seabirds. Spot Buller’s albatross and diving petrels and learn about the island’s scientific and navigational history.

Arrive back into Bluff Port by 8:00am. Disembark and join the complimentary coach transfer to Queenstown CBD hotels or airport. Farewell your crew and fellow adventurers after a remarkable voyage.

Embrace the unexpected – it’s part of the adventure. This itinerary is a guide. We adjust plans based on weather, tides, wildlife, and opportunities we encounter. Remote communities may be unavailable due to local customs. Flexibility makes expeditions special.

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Coral Adventurer

Life aboard Coral Adventurer exploring New Zealand’s southern waters offers a welcoming escape among dramatic coastlines and wild landscapes. Traverse through mist-shrouded fiords as stories flow over fresh, regional feasts from our open galley. Get even closer, with our purpose-built ships and wander ancient rainforests, kayak beneath towering cliffs, or spot fur seals and seabirds with expert guides. With alfresco moments, warm hospitality, and every day a discovery, every evening feels like coming home.

Deck-plan-Coral-Adventurer
Coral_Adventurer_Bridge_Deck_Balcony_Stateroom

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