Day 1 & 2: Setting Sail on a New Adventure

Our journey began with a mix of anticipation and excitement, as we hoisted the sails for the first time under a bright, cloudless sky. The serene blues of the ocean stretched out ahead of us, and the warm, steady breeze made it feel like the perfect day for exploring the open water. For Allison, who’s sailed with Ocean Sailing Expedition before, this trip was her third, and she was quick to point out how comfortable and well-equipped the boat was—definitely a pleasant surprise.

The crew quickly settled into their roles, learning the ropes and getting into a smooth rhythm. Barbara summed it up perfectly as a day of easy cruising with no need to rush—just taking in the vast, calm waters of Hauraki Gulf. Along the way, we tried our hand at fishing, enjoying the peacefulness of the sea and the stunning scenery around us.

By the time we reached a quiet bay to anchor for the night, everyone was feeling relaxed and ready for whatever the next leg of the journey would bring.

Day 2: Wind, Waves, and Teamwork

Day two was all about getting into the rhythm of sailing. With a steady 11-knot breeze, we raised all three sails and set off on a broad reach. The crew really started to gel, working together as we tackled new tasks. We had a few slow moments, like when boat speed dropped to just 2 knots, but the wind picked up later, and we were cruising at 9.5 knots.

The rain came and went, but it didn’t dampen our spirits. Barbara whipped up some delicious fish bites, fresh from the day's catch, and after deciding to skip an overcrowded cove, we anchored in the peaceful Harataonga Bay. We wrapped up the day with a hearty curry and a relaxed evening on board.

Day 3: New Year's Eve and a Change of Plans

Day three was a mix of maintenance and a hike ashore, where we took in some great views of the island. The rain came and went, but we made the most of it and kept exploring. After some discussion, we decided to skip more island hopping and change our future plans and head towards the Coromandel for a change of scenery.

As the sun set on New Year's Eve, we watched the winds pick up, cheering to hit 40 knots, however they maxed out at 39.8, which was a bit of a letdown, but we still enjoyed a dinner, drinks, and good company to bring in the new year.

Day 4: Smooth Sailing and Expert Navigation

On New Year's Day, we spent several hours sailing towards Mercury Island, with steady winds and calm seas making for a pleasant journey. Along the way, we had a close call with a large fish that was almost dinner,  but got away just before we could reel it in. Most of us crew had a shot at the helm, under the watchful eye of Skipper Jason with his expert advice.

After that, we headed into a busy cove, where Skipper Jason and First Mate Craig had to carefully navigate the narrow, shallow entrance. With plenty of boats already anchored, they showed their expertise in getting us in safely and securing the boat for the night.

Later, the crew got some much-needed relief when Jason and Craig serviced the water system. After dealing with weak water pressure for days, the new pressure was a welcome change, and everyone was eager to enjoy proper showers. With the boat secured and the water pressure sorted, we settled in for a comfortable evening with Allison teaching everyone a new card game… using Almonds as currency for betting.

Day 5: Halfway Point and Onward

 We hit the halfway mark of our trip today, starting with an early kayak before setting sail towards Cathedral Cove. We worked on our tacking technique as a team, making steady progress with the sails up.

Cathedral Cove was busy with tourists and boats, but that didn’t stop some of us from exploring by kayak or tender, including a quick chat with the local harbour master. The views were stunning and many photos were taken at the iconic tourist spot.

 Next, we sailed to Hot Water Beach, where we enjoyed a hearty roast pork dinner to wrap up the day, enjoying the change of pace to being the only yacht in the bay, from the business of the Cathedral cove.

Day 6: Hot Water Beach

We spent the morning exploring the stunning hot water beach.

The swell made it a little hard to land the tender, so we had a bit of a dip on the way to the beach… which certainly woke us up! Followed by a trip out on the tender to explore some of the large caves in the big cliffs.

 We motored from Hot Water Beach to Cooks bay, to stock up on a few essential provisions, and popped in for a cheeky drink at a local café.

 A relaxing evening was spent playing new card games & working out who could bluff the best hand.

Day 7: Medlands Beach

 We set sail off to  Great Barrier Island. This was a wonderful full day with 6 hours of sailing, where we got to set up 3 of the sails and spend some time practicing how to gybe.

 Wind gusts came up to 30 knots with a bit of swell coming over the side of the boat. With life jackets on, we safely sailed for the day, with plenty of time spent with the crew at the helm and cruising along at a comfortable 8-9 knots most of the day.

 We settled in for a night of roast pork, a glass of wine and a game of cards.

Day 8: Hikes on shore

 Today we decided to stay on anchor and spend some time exploring the beautiful Great Barrier Island and Medlands Beach.

 The crew took of for a 10k round hike to get the legs working again, while the skip stayed back to sort out the water maker.

 We had planned to visit one of the local micro brewery’s in the afternoon, however our plans changed when it was booked for a private function… as Island time everything closed by 3, we headed back to the boat for a late lunch & relaxing afternoon.