Ecocruz

OVERNIGHT SAILING CRUISES, BAY OF ISLANDS, NZ
Welcome to Ecocruz, the Bay of Islands overnight nature cruise – sailing and discovery!

Join our friendly crew and experience the Bay of Islands Maritime Park on a 3 day/2 night sailing adventure aboard the Manawanui, a 22-metre ketch. This is a down-to-earth nature cruise taking you off the beaten track to give you a real taste of the marine environment and beautiful landscapes of this unique coastal region in the Far North of New Zealand.

Experience the ocean and the islands under sail. Kayak and snorkel the clear waters to see magical marine life. Walk deserted beaches and enjoy pristine sunsets.

Trips depart from Paihia on Tuesday and Friday, October-May
Passenger numbers are limited to 10 per trip to ensure a personal atmosphere
Accommodation is either private double cabins or shared 4-berth bunk rooms

Ecocruz is an all-inclusive three-day sailing exploration of the abundant nature found in the Bay of Islands. No other trip will reveal the extent of the regions’ diversity and richness.

Our journey will take you onto the ocean and to uninhabited islands, remote beaches and rugged, coastal headlands. We explore our destinations by kayaking, snorkeling and walking. There is no standard route or itinerary as these are weather dependent. We always aim to take in the top attractions as well as hidden gems off the beaten track.

Profile & Crew
Depending on passenger numbers there will be 2-3 crew taking care of you. Your enjoyment is important to us and we make sure that you are looked after well. Our crew are trained nature guides, often with a marine science background and are happy share their knowledge of the natural world with you.

Jochen ‘John’ Zaeschmar
Originally from Germany, I have been in New Zealand since 1997 and started Ecocruz in the year 2000.

The Manawanui
The Manawanui is a 72 ft (22 m), 1981 John Pugh cutter-rigged steel ketch.

A proven go-anywhere boat, she is designed for comfort and safety and has been around the world twice.

The boat is fully equipped with kayaks, wetsuits and snorkeling gear to give passengers the opportunity to fully explore and experience the Bay of Islands maritime park.