2025 Classic Chatham Island Tour

*** SOLD OUT *** We’re thrilled to offer a fully escorted tour to the Chatham Islands, departing Auckland on Sunday 29th June and returning Friday 4th July.

For those living in Wellington or the South Island, we’ve got you covered — return Air New Zealand flights are included to seamlessly connect you with our Air Chathams departure, ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey from start to finish.

Pack your bags for an unforgettable adventure on the Chatham Islands, where you’ll indulge in the island’s rich seafood culture and immerse yourself in its vibrant wool industry with a farm visit.

Tour Highlights

Waterfront Accommodation:

• Hotel Chatham: Spend five nights at the waterfront Hotel Chatham in Waitangi. Relax in comfortable rooms with breathtaking views of the water at Waitangi
• Special Offer: No Additional Cost for Solo Travellers to enjoy a room on your own!

Daily Meals:

• Sumptuous Dining: Enjoy delicious daily meals throughout the tour, including your choice of cooked or continental breakfasts, as well as lunches and hearty dinners. One special evening, you’ll join the locals at the hotel’s pub for a relaxed night of great food and conversation – and perhaps a glass or two of locally brewed Breezy beer to top it off.
• Welcoming Seafood Dinner: On Monday evening, indulge in a delightful seafood dinner to kick off your adventure. Enjoy a variety of fresh, locally sourced seafood dishes in a welcoming atmosphere, setting the stage for the exciting experiences ahead.
• Wines: A selection of wines is complimentarily provided with your evening meal allowing you to enjoy with good food and great company.

Exclusive Activities:

The following are exclusive activities (not offered by other tour operators) which have been specially developed in collaboration with local Chatham Islanders, offering you a truly inclusive and immersive experience that connects you deeply with the land, the people, and their stories.

• Progressive Dinning Experience: Your evening begins at the stunning Kopinga Marae, where you’ll be welcomed with a captivating introduction to the rich history of the Moriori people. While immersed in the cultural storytelling, you’ll enjoy your entrée, thoughtfully prepared to set the tone for the evening. Next, a short scenic drive takes you to the beautiful Kopi Bush Retreat, where a welcoming cocktail awaits. Settle in as your seafood-themed main course, crafted by a private chef, is served. With breathtaking views and the sun setting through the expansive windows, this is a moment to savour. To complete the journey, dessert is just a short drive away. And with your accommodation nearby, you might choose to enjoy a leisurely stroll along the beach, or hop aboard the coach for a comfortable ride home. A unique, progressive dining experience — full of flavour, story, and connection to the land.
• Woolshed Morning or Afternoon Tea: Journey with us to the scenic south coast, where you’ll be warmly welcomed by the team at Durham Farm. Settle into the rustic charm of the woolshed and enjoy a delicious spread of freshly baked treats served with a comforting cuppa. As you relax, you’ll hear engaging stories about life on the farm, offering a genuine glimpse into the rhythms, challenges, and beauty of farming on the Chatham Islands. A true taste of country hospitality in a stunning coastal setting.

Unique Island Experiences

• Scenic Flight: Take to the skies and enjoy a breathtaking 30-minute aerial journey over Chatham Island, showcasing its dramatic coastlines, rolling landscapes, and hidden gems from a whole new perspective.
• Fishing Expedition: Spend a memorable morning or afternoon out on the water, reeling in Chatham Island blue cod. Your catch will be professionally filleted and shared equally among the group, then delivered to your hotel and frozen, ready to take home at the end of your adventure.
• Waitangi West Beach: Stroll along the beach where small pink (queen) paua shells are scattered on the foreshore.
• Basalt Columns: Step onto these natural formations and marvel at the giant kelp swaying in the ocean.
• Hapupu: Visit the Moriori rakau momori (tree carvings or dendroglyphs) and explore the kopi groves planted by the Moriori people.
• Ocean Mail Reserve: Discover the historic reef where a ship grounded itself in the 1800s.
• Blind Jim’s: Wade through the shallow lagoon waters in search of fossilised shark teeth and kina spines.
• Tommy Solomon Statue & Foreshore Walk: Visit the memorial site of Tommy Solomon, the last known full-blood Moriori, and hear powerful stories of Moriori history and heritage shared by his own family. Following this moving experience, take a gentle walk along the nearby foreshore, where you’ll witness the inspiring results of ongoing restorative endemic planting — a living example of cultural and environmental resilience in action.

Includes

• Air Chatham flights departing Auckland & returning to Auckland, value $1,300
• Five nights accommodation – your choose from a selection of room types
• Own room at no extra cost if you’re travelling by yourself
• Coach transport with a dedicated Chatham Island guide. We will be exploring the island looking at wildlife, botany, geology and learn about the the island’s unique history, culture plus of course, you will experience breathtaking scenery and meet many locals
• Breakfasts, lunches & dinners
• Alcohol as noted
• Chatham Islands airport transfers
• Department of Conservation and landowner concession fees – $350 per person
• Voluntary Chatham Islands visitor levy which goes towards the island’s infrastructure maintenance is included – $25 per person.

From the time you step onboard the Air Chatham’s flight in Auckland until you step off back in Auckland, there are no other costs unless you want to buy something from one of the island’s local shops – simply pack your bag (including gum boots) and bring your credit card and some cash. An ATM at the local store allows you to take cash out during their opening hours.

Excludes

• Purchases of a personal nature
• Alcohol In addition to what os provided with meals
• Barista coffee other than that available from the coffee station.

Information

If you’re joining the tour from Wellington or the South Island, we’ll arrange complimentary Air New Zealand flights for you. These will include ample connection time and flexible fares, allowing for any weather-related delays that may affect Air Chatham’s flight schedules from both Auckland and Chatham Island.

• Your flight from Auckland to Chatham Island departs at 5:00 PM and arrives at 8:00 PM (local time), with a flight time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. We meet at 3.00pm at Air Chathams check-in counter to receive your baggage label and itinerary. As we’ll be landing late, dinner at Auckland Domestic Terminal’s Gypsy Moth is included. Be sure to plan for any weather-related delays when departing from your home.
• Chatham Island/Auckland – flight departs 10.00am, landing Auckland at 12.00noon. Flight time 2 hours 30 min. Plan for homebound flight after 2.00pm.

Booking, cancellation & refunds

• A $1,500 deposit secures your place – once we receive your deposit we allocate your room
• If you choose to cancel your booking, your deposit is non-refundable unless we fill your place
• If we have to cancel we will give you a full refund or you can have your deposit transferred to any of our other events
• Full payment is due 6 weeks prior to the commencement date and is thereafter non-refundable in the event of your choosing to cancel, unless we are able to re-fill your place
• We strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out as soon as you have paid your deposit to cover you should you, due to illness, be unable to travel.

Join us for this extraordinary journey to the Chatham Islands, where adventure and culture await!

Choose your room