Destination: Stewart Island (Rakiura), New Zealand
Introduction
Stewart Island (Rakiura), New Zealand's third-largest island, lies 30 km south of the South Island across Foveaux Strait — one of the most boisterous stretches of water in the Southern Ocean. More than 85% of the island is Rakiura National Park, with a permanent population of barely 400 souls in Oban at Halfmoon Bay. The island is famed for exceptional birdlife including kiwi that forage openly on beaches after dark, and for southern night skies of incomparable brilliance with regular aurora australis displays that illuminate the anchorage.
GPS Coordinates
46° 54' 09.720"S 168° 06' 07.920"E
46 54 09.720S 168 06 07.920E
Protected Anchorages
Halfmoon Bay at Oban is the main anchorage in 3–6 m over sand and mud with good holding, well-sheltered from the prevailing westerlies by the town headland. Paterson Inlet on the eastern side of the island is a large, largely enclosed harbour with outstanding anchorages: Port William in 4–8 m over mud; Sawdust Bay in 3–5 m; and the remote Big Glory Bay — one of New Zealand's most beautiful and tranquil anchorages — in 6–10 m over mud with excellent holding. Prices Inlet and the Murray River estuary extend deeper into the national park with bird-rich, completely sheltered anchorage. The Foveaux Strait crossing requires careful weather planning — southwest gales develop with little warning and the sea state can become severe rapidly.
Customs Protocols for Visiting Yachts
No customs facilities on Stewart Island. All international clearance must be completed on the mainland before visiting. Domestic vessels are free to use the island without formality. A small wharf at Oban provides alongside space and a dinghy dock. Fuel is available by arrangement in Oban, and a small general store handles basic provisioning.
Yacht Clubs and Marinas in the Vicinity
- Rakiura Boating Club
Renowned Attractions
- Wild kiwi spotting on Ocean Beach after dark — one of the few places on earth to see kiwi in the wild without a guide
- Rakiura Track — one of New Zealand's Great Walks, a 3-day circuit through stunning coastal rainforest and estuaries
- Aurora australis — Stewart Island's southerly latitude and lack of light pollution make it one of the world's best aurora viewing locations
- Ulva Island open bird sanctuary — saddlebacks, kaka, riflemen, and other rare species in a predator-free haven
- Mason Bay — remote, windswept ocean beach reachable by water taxi or a full-day walk across the island
- Paterson Inlet kayaking — pristine tidal channels, native bush, and abundant birdlife on glassy water
- Bluff oysters and blue cod — Stewart Island's fishing fleet lands some of New Zealand's finest seafood, available fresh in Oban
Currency and Exchange Rate
Currency: New Zealand Dollar
Exchange Rate to USD
Nearby Yachting Destinations
Summary
Stewart Island is a true wilderness destination at the edge of the Southern Ocean — extraordinary birdlife, pristine cruising in the lagoon-like Paterson Inlet, and skies ablaze with stars and aurora make it a profound and unforgettable experience for sailors who make the crossing.