Whether you are wanting to zip around the bays and coves to see as much as possible in a short time, or relax and take your time on an overnight cruise – we offer boat charters to suit all tastes. Join us on a scenic, pelagic or wildlife tour. Take an evening cruise in style, or charter one of our stunning classic vessels for your exclusive exploring needs.
Our Vessels For Charter
‘Kaian’ aka Ulva Island Water Taxi
Kaian is the original Rakiura Adventure vessel -built by StabiCraft, and designed by a local Stewart Islander. As of the 2020 she now offers improved viewing and photography access with roll away covers.
Kaian is surveyed for up to nine passengers and cruises at a speed of 25kts. A great opportunity to get to further flung locations and see all the best bits, and slow down when you get there to see things up close. This vessel is available as a water-taxi to numerous tramping and hunting destinations around the island, offers pelagic, historic and scenic tours, and can get you to Ulva Island at a time of your choosing.
‘Ranui’ aka Ulva Island Ferry
The ‘middle child’ of the Rakiura Adventure fleet. Ranui was built in 1951 from New Zealand Kauri in the Bay of Islands (Northland) and her engine (Gardner 6LWA) is even older and still going strong!
She has been employed in various roles by down both coasts of the North & South Island before charming us here on Stewart Island.
This old girl has class and character and is ideal for cruising around Paterson Inlet to see Ulva Island and many other places. She is available for charter after her day’s work as the Ulva Island Ferry, in between scheduled runs, and more during the quieter months.
‘MV Wairangi’ – Historic 1930’s Launch
Our ‘coming soon’ project:
We are exited to be adding another classic vessel to our operation. Wairangi will be available for scenic, day/evening and overnight charter by early 2021.
Overnight charters will be fully tailored to each specific group and their particular interests, and will have capacity for groups of up to six people. Charters not extending overnight will have capacity for up to 12 guests.
Wairangi was built in Dunedin by the highly esteemed boat builders – Miller & Tunnage. She was completed in 1934, and is of Kauri carvel plank construction. Miller & Tunnage’s usual specialty was the manufacture of work boats, pilot boats, tug boats and the like. So rest assured you’re on a very seaworthy and solidly built old vessel.
Originally built as a pleasure boat, she has enjoyed a colourful history around New Zealand’s coastline – including being commissioned by the Lyttleton harbour board, and the roayl navy!
The team at Rakiura Adventure has been working hard since Wairangi arrived in Bluff. She will now be equipped with full galley, two heads (toilets), indoor and on-deck hot shower, six comfortable overnight berths (beds), and ample indoor and outdoor lounging area.