Davey Family

Akaroa residents since 1982, we own and operate Southern Wanderer Scenic Cruises and the Akaroa Coastal Retreat on our rural seaside property.

Ollie - Skipper

Ollie

Skipper

Ollie Davey was born in Akaroa. He has over 25 years experience on a wide range of boats around New Zealand and overseas, including several winters working with whale-watching, sailing and snorkelling operations in North Queensland.

He holds his SRL 24-metre and passenger endorsement.

Aommy - Crew & Guide

Aommy

Crew & Manager

Aommy (Ollie’s wife) has become part of the Davey family. She has been living in Akaroa for 8 years after moving from Thailand and has 5 years crewing experience on commercial tour boats. Aommy is a keen (warm weather) sailor and is also an excellent wildlife photographer. When she is not on the water she is busy making her own arts and crafts... visit her on Instagram @chalitastudio.nz

Jenny - Skipper & Crew

John & Jenny

Crew

John has been coming to Banks Peninsula for holidays since he was a young boy. He and Jenny have lived on their coastal property, Akaroa Coastal Retreat, since 1982 and have spent many hours boating, both recreationally and commercially. They enjoy sharing their local knowledge with travellers on the water and Instagram @akaroacoastalretreat

Harbour Sail

Harbour Sail

VESSEL

Our sailing vessel “Harbour Sail” is a MRX Yacht 10.2 metre (33 feet) keelboat designed by Bruce Farr and is in full commercial survey, with all safety equipment required by Maritime New Zealand to operate with passengers in Akaroa Harbour. The yacht sails well and is responsive, being steered by a tiller (instead of a wheel). This helps us by giving a more open area in the cockpit for passengers to move around and also when teaching Learn-to-Sail as some passengers are interested in experiencing more than just the amazing scenery and wildlife that Akaroa Harbour has to offer.

The yacht has a Volvo Penta in-board diesel engine and also has a cabin with bench seats if guests want to get out of the weather. There is a Marine toilet inside the cabin. As our vessel is a sailing boat this allows us to operate in a very environmentally friendly way with a very small carbon footprint.