Chatham Islands Ultimate Outdoors Adventure – Wild Hunt, Fish & Dive

Your flights to and from the Chatham Islands are operated by Air Chathams and are included in your tour package.

Departure: Wellington at 2:00pm

Check-in: Between 12:30pm – 1:00pm

Arrival: Chatham Islands at 4:30pm (local Chatham time)

Departure: Chatham Islands at 9:30am

Check-in:  8:00am

Arrival: Wellington at 10:45am

Your fare includes 3 checked-in bags, so you’ll have plenty of room to bring your fishing gear with you.

Please note that Air Chathams strictly enforces luggage limits:

• Checked bags must not exceed 23kg each

• You’re allowed one piece of carry-on luggage to fit in the overhead locker or under the seat in front - up to 7kg max — this will be weighed at check-in

• Additionally, a small handbag size bag.

🎣 We recommend planning your packing with your return flight in mind — leave enough space and weight allowance in your luggage to bring home your freshly caught seafood or other island treasures.

Experience the thrill of free diving along the Chatham Islands’ pristine coastline, gathering paua and kina in their natural habitat. This is strictly free diving — no tanks — so you’ll need to bring your own wetsuit, mask, and snorkel.

Participants must be fit, confident in the water, and hold a PADI or equivalent diving qualification. This adventure offers a truly immersive way to connect with the marine life of this remote and rugged destination.

Set on private land, this unique experience offers the opportunity to hunt the feral and wild cattle that roam the Chatham Islands. The activity is designed for two participants at a time, ensuring a focused and safe adventure. For larger groups, outings will be scheduled over consecutive days to give everyone the best experience. You’ll head out in the late afternoon, returning before dark. A good level of fitness is essential, as the hunt involves traversing rugged terrain — with 4WD motorbikes sometimes used to reach more remote areas.

To use a firearm as part of this activity, you are required to hold a current Firearms Licence and provide a copy of this with your booking which will be checked against New Zealand’s Firearm’s Licence checker

You must abide by the 7 rules of using a firearm - click here

At the discretion of our Shooting Guide, those without a firearms licence may still be permitted to hunt, provided they are under the immediate supervision of a licensed individual - that being our Shooting Guide. This means the licensed person (Shooting Guide) must be close enough to take control of the firearm at all times and cannot be using another firearm simultaneously.

If our Shooting Guide determines that supervised hunting is not appropriate, anyone without a firearms licence is welcome to join the activity as an observer, but will not be permitted to handle or use a firearm.

Experience the thrill of hunting wild and feral pigs on the Chatham Islands, where skilled pig dogs play a key role in tracking and setting the excitement of the chase. This is a truly authentic and adrenaline-filled adventure for keen hunters.

👉 You must be physically fit to participate, as the hunt involves traversing rugged terrain, dense bush, and sometimes steep areas.

👉 Designed for two participants at a time to ensure a safe, high-quality experience. For larger groups, hunts will be arranged over consecutive days.

👉 4WD motorbikes may be used to access remote areas, depending on conditions and the guide’s plan.

Discover the thrill of shore and rock fishing on the rugged coastline of the Chatham Islands, where rich waters are teeming with blue cod, kingfish, and more.

✅ Drone fishing gear - If you’re into drone drops — pack your full setup

✅ All gear provided – We supply quality rods, tackle, and flies so you can focus on enjoying the experience.

✅ Craft your own flies – Before heading out, you’ll have the opportunity to spend time creating your own custom flies, adding a personal touch to your catch of the day.

✅ Safety first – Life jackets are provided for your peace of mind, and must be worn at all times while fishing from exposed shorelines or rocks.

✅ Expert guidance – Our experienced guides know the best local spots and will ensure your fishing adventure is both safe and rewarding.

Whether you're a seasoned angler or trying your hand for the first time, this is a fantastic way to connect with the wild beauty of the Chathams.

Head out onto the pristine waters of the Chatham Islands for an unforgettable 3 hours of boat fishing experience, where the ocean offers up some of its most prized catches.

✅ Target species – Try your luck fishing for hapuka, blue cod, kingfish, and even grey shark, all in their natural, unspoiled habitat.

✅ Expertly guided – Your experienced skipper and crew know these waters intimately and will take you to the best spots for a rewarding day on the sea.

✅ Catch care – What you catch is filleted and frozen for you, ready to take home at the end of your tour.

✅ Smoked for extra flavour – Perhaps you’d like your fresh blue cod smoked? We’re only too happy to provide that service for you.

✅ All gear provided – Rods, tackle, bait, and safety equipment are supplied—just bring your sense of adventure!

Whether you’re an experienced angler or a first-timer, this is an incredible opportunity to fish in one of the world’s most remote and bountiful locations.

At Travel With Lesley Whyte, the health and safety of our guests, guides, and the communities we visit is paramount.

✅ Before participating in any activity, you will be required to read, understand, and acknowledge the Health & Safety guidelines specific to each experience. These guidelines are designed to protect you, your group, and our hosts.

✅ Your hosts and Travel With Lesley Whyte reserve the absolute right to stand down or remove any participant from an activity if they are deemed unfit to take part. This includes (but is not limited to) instances where a participant is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or displaying behaviour that could endanger themselves or others.

✅ Zero tolerance for risk – You must not, at any time, place yourself, other group members, guides, or members of the public in harm’s way through your actions or decisions.

✅ Your cooperation is essential – By joining this tour, you agree to comply fully with all safety instructions and directions provided by your guides, hosts, and service providers at all times.

👉 We are committed to ensuring your experience is not only memorable but also safe and respectful of the environment and people we encounter along the way.

Your safety is our top priority. When heading out for rock or beach fishing, it’s essential to carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). The Chatham Islands are remote and the weather can change quickly — having an EPIRB means that in the unlikely event of an emergency, help can be rapidly summoned.

Please always follow all safety instructions, and never take unnecessary risks. We’re here to make sure your fishing adventure is not only memorable, but safe.

Please be aware that mobile phone coverage on the Chatham Islands can be patchy or unavailable, especially in the remote locations where you’ll be hunting, fishing, or exploring.

To ensure your safety, we provide a text-to-satellite phone device for emergency use during your activities.

✅ The device comes with key phone numbers pre-programmed, including local emergency services and our tour support team.
✅ Our guides will give you a quick briefing on how to use it before you head out.
✅ This is part of our commitment to your safety, so you can enjoy your adventure with confidence.

We strongly encourage you to follow all safety protocols and always carry this device when in areas without reliable coverage.

For safety and legal reasons, participants in our shooting and wild pig hunting activities must be 16 years of age or older.

👉 16 is the minimum legal age in New Zealand to hold a firearms licence, and therefore it is the minimum age for taking part in these activities.
👉 Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian or parent who is also partaking in the activity.

Please note:
✅ All participants will be required to read, understand, and acknowledge the Health & Safety guidelines before engaging in these activities.
✅ Our guides reserve the right to stand down any participant if safety concerns arise.

Your safety, and that of your group and the wider community, is our top priority at all times.

For the safety, compliance, and smooth running of your tour, all participants must provide the following documentation prior to departure:

✅ A clear copy of photo ID (e.g. passport or driver’s licence).
✅ A photo of your driver’s licence if you will be driving any vehicle provided as part of the tour.
✅ A copy of any relevant licences or certifications, including:
 • Firearms licence (for shooting/hunting activities)
 • PADI or equivalent dive certification (for free diving activities)

This documentation helps us meet legal requirements and ensures everyone is appropriately qualified for their chosen activities.

If you have any questions about what’s required, we’re happy to assist!

To participate in the shooting activity, you are required to bring your own firearm and ammunition and it is essential that you store and transport your firearm and ammunition in strict accordance with aviation legislation. This means:

✅ Your firearm and ammunition must be packed in two separate checked-in bags — one containing your secured firearm, and the other containing your ammunition, as required by aviation security regulations.
✅ Both the firearm and ammunition must be declared at check-in, and you must follow all airline procedures for the carriage of firearms.

To support this, you will be provided with an allowance for two checked-in bags as part of your booking.

If you have any questions about these requirements or need assistance with preparation, please reach out to us before your departure.

For everyone’s safety, all firearms and ammunition must be securely stored at Kopi Bush Retreat when not in use.

✅ A designated, secure storage area will be provided for your firearm and ammunition.
✅ Firearms must be unloaded before being stored.
✅ Ammunition must be stored separately from firearms, as per safety guidelines.
✅ It is your responsibility to ensure that your firearm and ammunition are safely locked away at all times when not actively in use during your guided activity.

Our team and your guides will brief you on these requirements upon arrival. Failure to comply may result in removal from the activity.

If you have any questions about safe storage, please ask your guide or host — your safety is our priority.

A non-refundable deposit of $1,500 is required to secure your place on the tour.

Once we receive your deposit, your booking is confirmed and your room will be allocated. This also allows us to begin making the necessary arrangements to ensure your experience is seamless from start to finish.

We recommend paying your deposit early, as places are limited and tours often fill quickly.

We will issue an invoice for the final balance, which can be paid via credit card or bank transfer.

Full payment is due 6 weeks prior to the tour’s start date. Please note that once paid, the final balance is non-refundable if you choose to cancel — unless we are able to re-fill your place, in which case a refund may be possible.

We recommend securing travel insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances.

Please note: Your deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel after making your final payment, we will refund the final payment only if we are able to fill your spot. If the spot remains unfilled, unfortunately, no refund can be given and we suggest you claim from your travel insurance.

While domestic travel insurance is not mandatory, we strongly recommend it to protect you against unexpected disruptions. A suitable policy can help cover:

• Cancellation costs if you’re unable to travel

• Flight delays with Air Chathams to or from the Chatham Islands

• Additional accommodation, meals, and other expenses incurred due to unforeseen changes in your travel plans

Travel insurance provides peace of mind — especially when visiting remote destinations like the Chathams. Be sure to choose a policy that suits your personal needs.

In the unlikely event that the tour is cancelled by us, you will receive a full refund, including your deposit, to your nominated bank account. Alternatively, you may choose to transfer your booking to another tour within the Travel With Lesley Whyte group of brands.

Please note that refunds may take 4–6 weeks, as we work with our suppliers to recover costs.

The Chatham Islands have a unique and fragile ecosystem with many native plants and wildlife found nowhere else in the world. Because of this, strict biosecurity measures are in place to protect the islands from invasive species that could cause serious harm.

One key point to note is that the Chatham Islands are one of only three places in the world that are disease-free for bees. For this reason, the bringing in of raw honey, honey products, bee suits, and any apiary equipment—whether new or secondhand—is strictly forbidden. This protects the local bee populations and helps maintain the islands’ healthy environment.

The General Store, just a short walk from your accommodation, offers a limited selection of essential household items and basic groceries for purchase. Please note, there is no full supermarket on the island, and facilities such as a chemist or clothing stores are not available.

For clothing, you’ll mainly find tourist-oriented items like t-shirts, beanies, and souvenirs rather than everyday apparel. We recommend packing all necessary medications, personal care products, and clothing you might need for your stay, as options to purchase these locally are very limited.

While visiting the Chatham Islands, you will be under the care of New Zealand’s medical and health system. The island has a small hospital with just three beds, staffed by a doctor and nurses who provide essential medical care.

However, medical facilities are limited, and in the event of a serious injury or illness, patients are typically airlifted to the mainland for advanced treatment. It’s important to come prepared with any necessary medications as there is no chemist on the island.

You are only permitted to take home what you personally catch, up to the equivalent of one day’s Total Allowable Catch (TAC) — this includes blue cod, hapuka, pāua, and kina.

If you’d like to take additional seafood home beyond your personal catch limit, you can purchase directly from Waitangi Seafoods, the island’s licensed supplier.

To keep your seafood fresh and properly frozen during your journey home, insulated chilly travel bags are available for purchase at the nearby General Store. This will help ensure your catch remains in excellent condition until you arrive back home.

WiFi:
You will be provided with a complimentary WiFi voucher to connect to the Hotel’s WiFi network. There is no charge for this service.

Mobile Phone Coverage:
Mobile phone coverage is available across much of the Chatham Islands. However, due to the island’s remote and expansive nature, there may be areas where coverage is limited or temporarily unavailable. We recommend downloading any essential information in advance and keeping in touch when coverage is available.

Not included in your tour cost:

• While alcohol is not included as part of your tour package, we’re happy to provide you with the location of the local liquor store. The hotel also offers a selection of bottled liquor available for purchase during your stay.
• Personal purchases and expenses
• Travel to and from the point of departure to connect with the Air Chathams flight.

Please ensure you settle any additional charges with the hotel before departure.

Yes, there are two EFTPOS machines available on the Chatham Islands — one located in the public bar at the hotel, and the other at the General Store.

If you have other questions, please feel free to contact Lesley

M: 027 4747 347

E: lesley@travelwithlesleywhyte.com