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Make it happen...
Join-a-group
When joining one of our groups you simply book and pay for YOUR spot only.. we'll do the organising, set the dates, transfers and activities to bring together a maximum of 12 beautiful strangers soon to be friends.. alternatively you can get your own group together and charter the vessel exclusively.
Every adventure is as unique as the people on board and with that there is no schedule to follow.. this means you can always kayak, fish, SCUBA dive, paddleboard, free dive or spearfish, snorkel, walk, explore, watch the wildlife, immerse yourself in the history, enjoy the fresh seafood, get lost behind your camera or simply relax in the hot tub.. it's up to YOU!
A wonderful good day & enjoy our Join-a-Groups
Have fun exploring and we hopefully see you soon...
no schedule.. we follow the rhythm of sun and tides..
M.V. Flightless is a 27m ex Navy expedition vessel with international survey, extensive safety equipment, minimum of 3 crew, two tenders, fresh water-makers, diesel stove, ice maker, laundry facilities, ventilation & heating throughout, five bathrooms, second saloon in the wheelhouse, full walk around deck, heli-pad, easy access to the water and a huge heatable back deck which is also partially under cover.
We can cater for up to 12 clients and everything asides from alcohol is included... catering, bedding and towels, fishing rods and tackle, yoga mats, an extensive library, dive cylinders, BCDs and weights, fins, masks, snorkels, catch bags, knives as well as 2 piece 7mm wetsuits, spearfishing floats and 20m float lines, kayaks, bean bags, paddle boards, free-diving gear and of course a hot tub on the top deck.
So all there is to bring along is yourselves, a little luggage, a sense of adventure and of course any special treats you’d like to indulge in whilst onboard.
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Or look at chartering the whole vessel..
There are no schedules or itineraries.. we simply follow the rhythm of the sun and tides which means very adventure is as unique as the people onboard.. inspired by each theme but not exclusively focused on only one thing.. it will be what we make it.. smile..
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February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
December
November
October
January
Every adventure is truely as unique as the people on board.. this means on any adventure you can kayak, fish, SCUBA dive, paddleboard, free dive or spearfish, snorkel, walk, explore, watch the wildlife, immerse yourself in the history, enjoy the fresh seafood, get lost behind your camera or simply relax in the hot tub.. it's up to YOU!
Just get yourself to Te Anau or Manapouri if your heading to Fiordland or Bluff if Stewart Island is your destination and we'll take care of everything from there..
no schedule... no itinerary... no menu... no cell phone or internet reception... just the rhythm of sun and tides...
Explore Fiordland's wilderness
Head into Dusky or Breaksea Sound by helicopter to meet M.V. Flightless for an adventure of a lifetime. Cruise, hunt, fish, kayak, paddle board, SCUBA dive, free dive, walk or simply relax in the hot tub on the top deck before flying back to civilisation from the head of Dusky Sound.
Enquire
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13th - 16th February 2025 | SOLD OUT
16th - 19th February 2025 | SOLD OUT
4 days - all but alcohol included - two scenic helicopter flights
16th - 20th May 2025 | from $5000pp
4 days - all but alcohol included - two scenic helicopter flights
4 days - all but alcohol included - two scenic helicopter flights
Explore Fiordland's wilderness
Join us on our Conservation Adventure as we explore the remote fiord of Dusky Sound on board our 27m expedition vessel Flightless - all profit will go towards the Tamatea project.
The Tamatea/Dusky Sound restoration plan has been developed by DOC with the ambitious goal of eradicating pests, re-introducing missing species and filling biodiversity information gaps in the area. The project area includes Breaksea Sound, Acheron Passage, Wet Jacket Arm, and Dusky Sound itself, including over 700 islands, including New Zealand’s fifth largest island, Resolution Island. The vision is for Dusky Sound to be one of the most intact ecosystems on Earth, and New Zealand's largest ‘bio bank’ – a source of endangered native species that can be sent to pest free locations throughout the country - and this is your chance to be part of this big vision.. feel free to click here to learn more.
Although conservation is the focus there'll be plenty of time to kayak, hunt, free dive, fish, discover historic sites, paddle board, walk, birdwatch, relax in the hot tub as well as to get lost behind your camera.. it's up to YOU.
Enquire
6th - 10th June 2025 | From $4,900 pp
5 days - all but alcohol included - two scenic helicopter flights
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14th - 17th October 2025 | From $4,900 pp
5 days - all but alcohol included - two scenic helicopter flights
Learn about the project
Give back to Fiordland beneath the surface..
The Tamatea/Dusky Sound restoration plan has been developed by DOC with the ambitious goal of eradicating pests, re-introducing missing species and filling biodiversity information gaps in the area. The project area includes Breaksea Sound, Acheron Passage, Wet Jacket Arm, and Dusky Sound itself, including over 700 islands, including New Zealand’s fifth largest island, Resolution Island. The vision is for Dusky Sound to be one of the most intact ecosystems on Earth, and New Zealand's largest ‘bio bank’ – a source of endangered native species that can be sent to pest free locations throughout the country - and this is your chance to be part of this big vision.. feel free to click here to learn more.
Enquire
DATES FOR 2025 COMING SOON!
4 days - all but alcohol included - it's all about giving back and working hard
An ecosystem restoration involves the entire system.. above as well as below the water.
We noticed rubbish on the seafloor in bays we anchor and play around and have been picking up bits and pieces where we could... we know about the ongoing battle to eradicate Underia which is threatening Fiordlands marine ecosystem and know there are other biosecurity threats on their way... so we keep a clean vessel pass, avoid effected areas and clean client gear... we've noticed a decline in the fishery and are only catching for the table whilst advocating for full utilisation...
However we feel that that is no longer enough and decided to start an annual TamateaBLUE adventure.. focusing on underwater cleanups, as well as raise awareness and action around biosecurity and the need to think about sustainable fisheries even in such a seemingly abundant and wild place as Fiordland.
The pilot adventure was run in November 2019 in conjunction with GhostDiving NZ and with the support of the Fiordland Marine Guardians, LegaSEA as well as wonderful volunteers. We removed around 2t of rubbish from just one little bay in Tamatea Dusky Sound in only two days.
Now TamateaBLUE is an annual event to look after everything beneath the surface of Fiordland waters.
Make A Difference and become a MAD - June/July every year.
Join us onboard Flightless to help us restore Tamatea and with that one of the 'last frontiers'. We have space for 4 'MAD - make a difference' volunteers at $2000pp to cover helicopter transfers, fuel and food for the four days onboard. Get in touch to find out how to make it happen.
Join us on our Fiordland Spring Adventure as we explore the remote fiords of Dusky and Breaksea Sound on board our 27m expedition vessel Flightless.
Spring is a magic time of year!It's all about exploring so there'll be plenty of time to kayak, hunt, free dive, fish, discover historic sites, paddle board, walk, birdwatch, relax in the hot tub as well as to get lost behind your camera.. it's up to YOU.
Enquire
22nd - 26th September 2025 | from $4,900pp
4 nights/5 days - two scenic helicopter flights
Enquire
3 nights/4 days - two scenic helicopter flights
It's all about seafood.. ocean to plate!
Gather a variety of fresh seafood, learn how to treat it respectfully, process it wholly, cook it deliciously and indulge in it fully.. get as involved as you want to be.
Enjoy an adventure of a lifetime on board our 27 meter expedition vessel Flightless.
Of course there is still time to .. Kayak, SCUBA dive, fish, hunt, paddle board, free dive, go on shore excursions, enjoy the wildlife, get lost behind your camera or relax in our hot tub on the top deck.
27th - 30th November 2024 | SOLD OUT
2nd - 5th March 2025 | SOLD OUT
3 nights/4 days - two scenic helicopter flights
*Dusky Sound*
*Dusky Sound*
7th - 11th May 2025 | From $4,900pp
*Dusky Sound*
4 nights/5 days - two scenic helicopter flights
Join us on our Fiordland Photography Adventure with award-winning landscape photographer, William Patino in a winter wonderland that shows Fiordland in it's best light. Master your camera and capture unique images as we explore the remote fiords of Dusky and Breaksea Sound on board our 27m expedition vessel Flightless.
With the early sunsets and snowcapped peaks of Fiordland in winter, this will be an adventure to remember.
It's all about exploring and capturing the moment so there'll be plenty of time to kayak, hunt, free dive, fish, discover historic sites, paddle board, walk, birdwatch, relax in the hot tub as well as to get lost behind your camera.. it's up to YOU.
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5 days - all but alcohol included - two scenic helicopter flights
Find out more...
20th - 24th May 2025 | SOLD OUT
Enquire...
OR
16th - 20th of June 2026 | From $5,000
5 days - all but alcohol included - two scenic helicopter flights
"To experience things you haven't experienced before you'll have to do things you haven't done before." And is certainly a new thing for Fiordland.
Our GIRLS ONLY adventure has become an annual event for likeminded girls, woman, chicks, mothers, sisters, grandmothers, daughters, wives, girlfriends ..So come and explore the remote southern fiords of Breaksea and Dusky Sound with us and a bunch of great woman.. soon to be friends. We had our debut in 2017 and each year just gets better and better. Simply toooo much fun not to do it again.
GIRLS only Adventures
Book on
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2nd - 6th of February 2025 | From $4200
5 days - 12 great girls, chicks and ladies - Two helicopter flights - All but alcohol included Variety of cabins and plenty of space - Hot tub on the top deck
Find out more...
OR
Discover the history of Fiordland.. ...250 years after Captain Cook first set eyes on New Zealand...
Join us on our History Adventure as we explore the remote fiords of Preservation & Chalky Inlet OR Dusky & Breaksea Sounds, on board our 27m expedition vessel Flightless.
Although history is the focus there'll be plenty of time to kayak, hunt, free dive, fish, discover historic sites, paddle board, walk, birdwatch, relax in the hot tub as well as to get lost behind your camera.. it's up to YOU.
Thinking about Fiordland National Park now can make it hard to imagine that it was in fact where European history started for New Zealand some 248 years ago now. Captain Cook sailed into Dusky Sound in 1773... his records of the seal numbers as well as charts which meant safe passage brought sealers and whalers to the area. The very first whaling station in New Zealand was built in Preservation Inlet. Soon the mining followed and townships popped up in the southern Fiords driven by the gold fever.
Although the native bush has reclaimed most there are still remains to be discovered if you know where to look.
Enquire
17th - 21st of January 2024 | from SOLD OUT Dusky/Breaksea Sound
5 days - all but alcohol included - two scenic helicopter flights
Discover the beauty and history of Stewart Island..
Join us as we explore the many harbours and the stunning coastline of Stewart Island on board our 27m expedition vessel Flightless.
There'll be plenty of time to kayak, hunt, free dive, fish, discover historic sites, paddle board, walk, birdwatch, relax in the hot tub as well as to get lost behind your camera.. it's up to YOU.
The your adventure will likely start and finish in Oban.
Enquire
22nd - 26 July 2023 | from $4,000pp
5 days - all but alcohol included
Fleurs Rakiura Seafood Adventure
26th - 31st July 2023 | from $4,000pp
6 days - all but alcohol included
31st December 2022 - 5th January 2023 | SOLD OUT
Be a part of a geological expedition in Fiordland!
Join geologists onboard as part of their research and get a feel for why geology 'rocks', learn what makes Zealandia and Fiordland so special beyond what appears on the surface. Research is the reason this adventure is taking place and with that the main focus taking precedence over anything else onboard.. so fitting around that cruise, hunt, fish, kayak, paddle board, SCUBA dive, free dive, walk or simply relax in the hot tub on the top deck it's up to YOU!
6 days - all but alcohol included - likely one heli-transfer and one boat/bus transfer in/out of Fiordland
Enquire
13th - 17th March 2025 | from $5000pp..only 2 spots left...
We've had a lot of people ask for this...
5 days - all but alcohol included - two scenic helicopter flights
Find out more
5 days of some of the best freediving in New Zealand, exploring the unique underwater environment within the remote fiords of Dusky and/or Breaksea Sound. Here the visibility opens up to between 20–25 metres or more in places. You will come through kelp forests and great plumes of butterfly perch, particularly around black coral and any sunken branches; to find yourself diving in the company of large tarakihi, moki as well as copper moki, blue cod, octopus, butterfish and trumpeter. Adding to this mix are inquisitive stingrays, spiny dogfish and seven gillers representing the shark family. Not forgetting large amounts of Fiordland Rock Lobster and the chance to come across a mainland Hapuka. You won’t want to get out of the water... but when you do, expect to enjoy the comforts on board our 27m expedition vessel Flightless.
2nd - 6th of June 2025 | from $4900pp
5 days - all but alcohol included - two scenic helicopter flights
This is a NZ Geo adventure.. focused on diving and freediving to tell underwater stories around this unique environment and the magic of large scale marine reserves...
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30th September - 5th of October 2022 | from $4,200pp
As part of the adventure we will be dedicating a day and a half to the Tamatea/ Dusky Sound restoration project - re-baiting traps, cutting tracks or checking cameras - we’ll get you helping out for the cause. The project area includes Breaksea Sound, Acheron Passage, Wet Jacket Arm, and Dusky Sound itself, including over 700 islands, including New Zealand’s fifth largest island, Resolution Island. The rest of the time will be spent in pursuit of Fiordland red deer and sharing the days action with the team from Hunters Journal, NZ's premier hunting magazine.
6 days - all but alcohol included - two scenic helicopter flights
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Enquire
Be a part of a unique expedition.. a Hunters Journal and Pure Salt co-lab. It's all about hunting - looking after the ground we hunt on and the forest we stalk through..
Fusing science and adventure.. Join us on this unique expedition and get a feel for why geology 'rocks'!
Be onboard with geologists as they research & learn what makes Zealandia and Fiordland so special beyond what appears on the surface. We've had the pleasure of working with Josh, Keith, Elana, Rose, Richard and Harold since 2018 across a number of expeditions and look forward to continuing their journey with them. Their project just secured three more years of funding and by you joining we might be able to stretch some of that.
Research is the reason for this adventure and with that the main focus. So if you're happy learning knowing that your very presence helps fund new learning and seeing what fits around that in terms of cruising, hunting, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, SCUBA diving, walking or simply relaxing in the hot tub on the top deck then we'd love to have you onboard!
The upcoming adventure will fly into Tamatea / Dusky Sound to then travel north to Doubtful Sound before heading back south so it will include coastal journeys which are beautiful in their own right but not for everybody.. smile..
Have a look at the video below to get a taste of the wonderful humans you'll be adventuring with as well as some backdrop of just how special their work is.
Enquire
30th of December 2024 - 3rd of January 2025 | $5000pp
5 days - all but alcohol included - two scenic helicopter flights
Together with RescueMED we're offering a hands-on practical training course called "Wilderness Rescue Medicine" tailored for medical professionals aiming to enhance their skill and confidence in delivering advanced medical care in remote and austere environments.
Wilderness Rescue Medicine courses are eligible with ACEM, ACRRM, AEEM, and WMS.
Spanning five days in Dusky Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand and aboard the vessel Flightless - participants will engage in comprehensive training focused on medical scenarios prevalent in marine settings, while experiencing the tranquility and beauty of Dusky Sound.The "Wilderness Rescue Medicine" course provides 31.45 ACEM CPD hours, 31.75 ACRRM CPD hours, and 21.25 AEEM CPD hours in 2024 - with 2025 accreditation pending, for participants seeking to expand their expertise in remote and austere medical care.
We look forward to sharing this piece of paradise with you and joining you as you grow in confidence and skill alongside fellow medical professionals. If you don't know Kerryn and the team at RescueMED already then, you're in for a treat!
Your instructor Kerryn is not just a wonderful human but an exceptionally capable paramedic, drawing on his professional wilderness medicine skills, as well as the skill and knowledge shared by fellow RescueMED team members together delivering exceptional wilderness training in remote and austere medicine.
Regardless of your abilities, your experience or your drive you'll take home skills for a lifetime while also exploring the wildlife, the entirely unique world beneath the surface, rock formations, capturing the adventure of the day or the people connecting with what surrounds them, the many moods of the sea we travel on or the ever changing weather.. whatever it might be you're sure to discover something unexpected.
Find out more
30th of July 2025 - 3rd of August 2025
5 days - all but alcohol included - two scenic helicopter flights
RescueMED provides professional development for medical professionals who want to enhance their skills in remote and/or wilderness environments.
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Swim in New Zealand’s most remote, unspoilt and beautiful locations. You’ll find some truly special inhabitants – bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals (kekeno), Fiordland crested penguins (tawaki), and blue penguins (korora). On a lucky day, you may even see whales, which swim by where the continental shelf comes close to the coast.
The adventure… Helicopter (transfers included) in to our exclusive live aboard charter vessel with its own HOT TUB – YES A HOT TUB! Also on board… kayaks, stand up paddle boards, a 4M RIB a fresh water maker and washer and drier. All the comforts while you enjoy RealSwim in a Kiwi paradise.
The Swimming… water temperatures average 14C-16C making this a wetsuit recommended trip. Swims of between 2-5km (weather dependent and shaped to meet the fitness, ability and motivation of the group) . Fiordland offers so many aspects there is nearly always somewhere ‘weather protected’ we can seek out in order to find superb swim conditions.
Enquire
22nd - 26th February 2025
5 days - all but alcohol included - two scenic helicopter flights
Share Fiordland with the most important people in your life.. family..
Enjoy a family adventure in Dusky Sound! Fly in and out by helicopter, dive, fish, walk, freedive, kayak, observe the wildlife, paddle board or simply relax in the hot tub whilst being away from any phone or internet reception.. Create memories of a lifetime.
Explore the remote fiords of Breaksea and Dusky Sound on board our 27m expedition vessel Flightless with another family of five. Use of all gear on board, catering (apart from alcohol), bedding as well as two helicopter flights.
Vessel is spacious - fully insulated and comfortable - watermaker, washing machine and dryer on board - three passionate and qualified crew to look after you.
The pricing will depend on your family size so simply get in touch to make it happen.
So you just have to get yourselves to Te Anau and we'll take care of everything from here. Get in touch with any questions or to book in.
Fiordland Family Adventure
We only run two Family Adventures per year
so get in touch to make yours happen...
...no schedule... we follow the rhythm of sun, kids and tides
From
$4,000 per ADULT
$2,500 per CHILD
Enquire
More dates for scheduled Join-a-Groups around Fiordland and Stewart Island will be available shortly. If you are thinking about coming along simply get in touch with us as we might be able to tweak our dates to fit around you.. it’s all in the making right now and we would love to have you on board the Flightless to create some special memories in a very special place.
Get in touch !
We look forward to having you onboard with us.