Cruisey times ahead: a collection of sigh-inducing boat trips

Get on the water and discover the most enjoyable ways to see New Zealand by boat, cruise or ship. Photo / Heritage Expeditions

It goes without saying that in New Zealand you're never too far from the water. The sea is often so close you can taste a salty lick in the air; a network of rivers sew a route through the landscape and substantial lakes pot mark what's left. That's all before we get to great fiords and scores of waterfalls with their come-hither lagoon pools.

If you're not already eyeing up your summer togs with one toe in the shallows, may we suggest slipping into your loafers for one of these exceptional boat trips and cruises?

Luxury boat holidays in Fiordland

Magic moments come thick and fast on the waters of Fiordland's Doubtful (Patea), Breaksea (Te Pūaitaha) and Dusky (Tamatea) Sounds. So quick in fact, that this opening sentence comes to mind only a couple of hours after setting off from Deep Cove for our six-night cruise.

Six nights cruising in Fiordland takes passengers to another world. Read all about it here..

Fiordland Discovery pulls out all the stops when it comes to maximising your time spent beside stunning scenery. Photo / Andrew Rae Photography

Auckland's unique fitness retreat boat

Rebekah Railton launched SailFit New Zealand at the end of February, luckily squeezing in the first retreat the day before Auckland went back into alert level 3. It couldn't have been better timing - those of us on board ended the day well set-up to face the challenges of another lockdown thanks to a day of fresh air, salt water, beach workouts, yoga, meditation, good food, and coaching.

Sounds like something every Aucklander will need when the circumstances allow. Read more about the onboard experience here..

Fresh air, saltwater, beach workouts: Sailfit is a fitness programme you'll want to get on board with. Photo / Anastas Arnaudov; Supplied

New Zealand's very best ferry trips

Across our island nation, taking advantage of a diverse armada of ferries – big and small - is a great way to explore New Zealand. Often a big hit with families, discover the best of Aotearoa with these nine must-do ferry jaunts.

From the North Island to the South, click here to find a ferry to complement your holiday, ongoing journey or in some cases, your bike ride or hike..

A Cook Strait Ferry arrives in Picton. Photo / Supplied

Off the beaten track in an expedition boat

Cruising in an expedition yacht takes you places superships can never venture.

We're aboard Heritage Explorer, a 30m expedition yacht, for a nine-day voyage of the Marlborough Sounds and Abel Tasman National Park. In the middle of the trip, we will be landing on, and cruising along the western and northern coast of our eighth wonder, Rangitoto ki te Tonga/d'Urville Island.

If the Heritage Explorer, an 18-berth ship used for voyages around New Zealand doesn't spike your interest in an aquatic adventure - nothing will. Click here for all the glorious details..

Heritage Expedition's new expedition yacht, Heritage Explorer is an 18-berth ship used for voyages around New Zealand. Photo / Supplied, Heritage Expeditions.

Antarctica in 2022, anyone?

While many cruise lines have had to pause operations and postpone itineraries around New Zealand, a home-grown expedition cruise company more than doubled passenger capacity with new ships added to their fleet.

From next year the polar exploration ship MS Hanseatic will join Christchurch-based Heritage Expeditions. Renamed the Heritage Adventurer, she will carry passengers on itineraries of Antarctica, New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands, and the Russian East.

If this is an adventure you can see yourself indulging in, click here for the full lowdown on future departures..

Pleasure cruise to Matakana Island, Bay of Plenty

At 20km in length, Matakana Island known for its white-sand beaches, sand-barrel surf breaks and pine forests. Continuously populated for centuries by Māori iwi (mostly associated with Ngāi te Rangi), today it's a popular day-trip destination. To get there, pack a picnic and hop on Kewpie Cruises' one-hour scenic harbour cruise from Mt Maunganui's Pilot Wharf.

For this cruise and the definitive collection of New Zealand's best boat trips, including 12 more inclusions, click here..

Check alert level restrictions and Ministry of Health advice before travel. covid19.govt.nz