Heritage Explorer
New Zealand-built expedition yacht Heritage Explorer joins Heritage Expedition's small ship fleet creating new opportunities of discovery around the shores of New Zealand. Setting a new standard for discovery travel in New Zealand, Heritage Explorer combines the ultimate in comfort with unique itineraries and a personalised experience with a maximum of just 18 guests on board.
Heritage Explorer is a 30-metre, 4-deck New Zealand flagged vessel built in 2004 by the renowned wooden boat building family Carey's Boatyard in Picton. It features a contemporary wood-finished interior, 10 well-appointed cabins across three decks, dining room boasting spectacular 180-degree panoramas and theatre capabilities; lounge and bar featuring a flight of inclusive regional New Zealand wines, beers and spirits; and a well-stocked local library.
Outside, guests can enjoy plenty of covered space on the Bridge Deck, or ajourn to the Sun Deck perfect for wildlife
spotting, sunrises and sunsets, or simply enjoying watch your voyage unfold. Kayaks and fishing equipment are available for use during the voyage, while two tenders allow for deeper exploration and the unforgettable wildlife encounters synonymous with all Heritage Expeditions adventures.
As with as with our other vessels, Heritage Explorer will have an open bridge policy and a full commercial kitchen helmed by a talented chef focused on highlighting local produce and any guest catches of the day, as well as an enthusiastic and passionate expedition team, and will be shipped by a New Zealand captain and crew.
The expedition yacht features state-of-the-art technology to provide a comfortable expedition with high performance dual Scania 653 horsepower engines, bow thrusters, fin stabilisers, full air-conditioning, sound attenuated twin generators and a hydraulic aft ramp, while a comprehensive navigation package ensures the ultimate Kiwi adventure awaits all guests.
Ship Data
- Rating
- Specialty
- Cruise Line
- Heritage Expeditions
- Preferred
Ship Profile & Stats
- Length
- 30 m
- Tonnage
- 76.1
- Pass. Cap. (dbl)
- 18
- Ship Reg.
- NZ
Ship Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- PABX Satellite Telephone
- Private En Suite
- TV
Ship Facilities
- Bar
- Dining Room/Lecture Room
- Kayaks and Fishing Equipment
- Library
- Lounge
- Sun Deck

Heritage Explorer, 6 Night Discover Marlborough Sounds ex Blenheim, New Zealand Return
6 Night Cruise sailing from Blenheim, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 01 May 2025
- Depart port: Blenheim, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Blenheim, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 6 Night Discover Marlborough Sounds ex Blenheim, New Zealand Return
6 Night Cruise sailing from Blenheim, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 07 May 2025
- Depart port: Blenheim, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Blenheim, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer , 4 Night Unseen Queen Charlotte Sound ex Blenheim, New Zealand Return
4 Night Cruise sailing from Blenheim, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 13 May 2025
- Depart port: Blenheim, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Blenheim, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 6 Night Discover Marlborough Sounds ex Blenheim, New Zealand Return
6 Night Cruise sailing from Blenheim, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 17 May 2025
- Depart port: Blenheim, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Blenheim, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 6 Night Southern Fiords Discovery ex Te Anau, New Zealand Return
6 Night Cruise sailing from Te Anau, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 04 Jul 2025, 03 Sep 2025
- Depart port: Te Anau, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Te Anau, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 6 Night Southern Fiords Discovery ex Te Anau, New Zealand Return
6 Night Cruise sailing from Te Anau, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 10 Jul 2025, 09 Aug 2025, 16 Mar 2026, 10 Jul 2026 & view more...
- Depart port: Te Anau, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Te Anau, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 9 Night All of the Fiords ex Te Anau, New Zealand Return
9 Night Cruise sailing from Te Anau, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 16 Jul 2025, 15 Aug 2025, 25 Aug 2025
- Depart port: Te Anau, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Te Anau, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 4 Night Fiordland Explored ex Te Anau, New Zealand Return
4 Night Cruise sailing from Te Anau, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 27 Jul 2025, 09 Sep 2025, 13 Sep 2025
- Depart port: Te Anau, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Te Anau, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 4 Night Undiscovered Dusky Sound ex Te Anau, New Zealand Return
4 Night Cruise sailing from Te Anau, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 31 Jul 2025
- Depart port: Te Anau, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Te Anau, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 7 Night Unseen Stewart Island ex Invercargill, New Zealand Return
7 Night Cruise sailing from Invercargill, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 01 Oct 2025, 08 Oct 2025, 15 Oct 2025
- Depart port: Invercargill, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Invercargill, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 4 Night Unseen Queen Charlotte Sound ex Blenheim, New Zealand Return
4 Night Cruise sailing from Blenheim, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 07 Nov 2025, 09 Dec 2025, 13 Dec 2025
- Depart port: Blenheim, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Blenheim, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 8 Night The Top of the South ex Nelson, New Zealand to Blenheim, New Zealand
8 Night Cruise sailing from Nelson, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 11 Nov 2025, 01 May 2026, 04 Nov 2026
- Depart port: Blenheim, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Nelson, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 6 Night Discover Marlborough Sounds ex Blenheim, New Zealand Return
6 Night Cruise sailing from Blenheim, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 21 Nov 2025
- Depart port: Blenheim, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Blenheim, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 7 Night Unseen Stewart Island ex Invercargill, New Zealand Return
7 Night Cruise sailing from Invercargill, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 30 Dec 2025
- Depart port: Invercargill, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Invercargill, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 7 Night Unseen Stewart Island ex Invercargill, New Zealand Return
7 Night Cruise sailing from Invercargill, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 06 Jan 2026
- Depart port: Invercargill, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Invercargill, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 4 Night Fiordland Explored ex Te Anau, New Zealand Return
4 Night Cruise sailing from Te Anau, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 29 Jan 2026
- Depart port: Te Anau, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Te Anau, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 4 Night Undiscovered Dusky Sound ex Te Anau, New Zealand Return
4 Night Cruise sailing from Te Anau, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 03 Feb 2026
- Depart port: Te Anau, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Te Anau, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 4 Night Fiordland Explored ex Te Anau, New Zealand Return
4 Night Cruise sailing from Te Anau, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 07 Feb 2026
- Depart port: Te Anau, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Te Anau, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 9 Night All of the Fiords ex Te Anau, New Zealand Return
9 Night Cruise sailing from Te Anau, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 17 Feb 2026
- Depart port: Te Anau, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Te Anau, New Zealand
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Heritage Explorer, 4 Night Fiordland Explored ex Te Anau, New Zealand Return
4 Night Cruise sailing from Te Anau, New Zealand onboard Heritage Explorer
- Sailing: 28 Feb 2026
- Depart port: Te Anau, New Zealand
- Arrival port: Te Anau, New Zealand
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Level | Name |
---|---|
01 | Lower Deck |
02 | Main Deck |
03 | Bridge Deck |
04 | Sun Deck |

Salvin's Twin
Located on the Lower Deck, Salvin’s Twin cabins feature two lower berths, ample storage with wardrobe and drawers, TV, PABX satellite telephone, private en suite and a picture porthole.Royal
Located on the Bridge Deck, our Master Suite features a spacious bedroom with a queen-sized bed, ample storage with wardrobe and drawers, mirror and washbasin, private en suite, personal climate control, TV, PABX satellite telephone, window and French doors opening out on to the covered Bridge Deck.Salvin's Double
Located on the Lower Deck, Salvin's cabins have the option of either a double bed or two lower berths. Both feature ample storage with wardrobe and drawers, TV, PABX satellite telephone, private en suite and a picture porthole.Wandering
Located on the Lower Deck, Wandering cabins feature one lower single berth, ample storage with wardrobe and drawers, TV, PABX satellite telephone, private en suite and a porthole.Buller's
Located on the Lower Deck, the Buller’s cabin features one bunk (one upper and one lower berth), ample storage with wardrobe and drawers, TV, PABX satellite telephone, private en suite and a porthole.- Air Conditioning
- PABX Satellite Telephone
- Private En Suite
- TV
- Bar
- Dining Room/Lecture Room
- Kayaks and Fishing Equipment
- Library
- Lounge
- Sun Deck