What does a Takapu Charters experience look like?
Whether it’s a day trip or a week exploring Fiordland or Stewart Island, our charters are all about giving you freedom, flexibility and a seamless experience — no fixed itinerary, just your adventure to make your own. We fish for a feed to enjoy on the trip and take home to family, but always with respect for the place we call home. Our friendly, passionate crew go out of their way to look after our guests and help make every day exactly what you want it to be. Escape the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary with Takapu Charters.
We specialise in private group charters.
But what on earth does that mean? It means that for the majority of our trips, we’ll have one person book on behalf of a group of up to eight people. We can accommodate smaller groups too, but when booking a charter with us, you’re booking out the entire boat, so smaller groups will be more expensive on a per person basis.
We regularly run charters that smaller groups, individuals and pairs can join onto, as much as demand allows. To see details about our next trip like this, click the button below.
With a skipper, deckhand, and an exceptional cook onboard, you’ll be well looked after throughout your trip. You can expect three meals a day, along with snacks in between, and to go home about 3kg heavier.
Our tender boat gives us the flexibility to make the most of your trip. It’s not uncommon to have different groups within your crew doing different activities - making it easy for everyone to tick off what they came for.
Our crew have a strong knowledge of the areas you’ll be exploring and are always happy to share insights and local history along the way, adding another layer to the experience.
We don’t run off a fixed itinerary, we’ll work with you before your trip to understand where you’d like to go and what you want to get out of it. From there, each evening is a chance to map out the next day based on conditions and your interests.
When it’s time to unwind, Yuwindi II offers a comfortable space to relax, with sleeping for up to nine guests and a spacious galley and saloon that quickly becomes the hub at the end of the day.
What can I expect while aboard?
Fiordland FAQs
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We offer four, five and six night long charters in Fiordland, with six nights being by far the most popular.
Keep in mind when planning your trip, Fiordland isn’t the easiest place to get to. It’s quite remote, which is what makes it so special, but a lot people who opt for shorter trips often wish they’d stayed longer.
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We offer a couple of different options for transfers into & out of Fiordland. You can choose a combination for your trip, but keep in mind that we try to book all Fiordland charters back to back. So, the availability of transfers will depend on the dates you book.
Helicopter Flight
Leaving/arriving from Tuatapere, a rural Southland town, approximately 1 hour from Invercargill. Enjoy a 45 minute scenic flight over Fiordland and hit the ground running when you get there. For a full group of eight, you’ll be split between two helicopters.
Wilmot Pass
Leaving/arriving from Manapouri, a rural Southland town, approximately 15 minutes from Te Anau. Cross Lake Manapouri on a water taxi, which is about an hours trip, then take an hour long bus trip over the Wilmot Pass from West Arm to Deep Cove, Doubtful Sound.
By Boat from Riverton
We try to stay up in Fiordland for a run of back to back trips, so if you’re at the beginning or the end of the run there is the opportunity to travel up or down the coast with the boat. Experience the rugged South Western Coastline and visit some excellent fishing spots along the way.
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This is the hardest question, always! Fiordland is spectacular, year round, and you will have a phenomenal trip no matter when you go… but here’s some tips.
January & February
Long summer nights, better chance of fine weather, Southern Bluefin Tuna normally start their run sometime in February.
March & April
The roar in Fiordland generally runs through from the last week in March to the end of the third week in April.
May & June
Winter months generally exhibit the calmest seas & the most spectacular landscapes & waterfalls.
October & November
In the spring we see more marine mammals like seals, dolphins and whales in and around the sounds as they come in a bit closer to birth their young. The nights are starting to get longer down here in the deep south again.
